The Teaching of Hazrat Inayat Khan1

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Topic

Archetypes

Astrology

Attainment

Chakras

Character

Christ

Compassion

Dervish

Desire and renunciation

Destiny and Free Will

Dimensions

Discipleship

Dreams

Duties and debts

Ego

Elements

God

Guidance

Healers

Healing

Health

Heart

Immortality

Initiation

Light and Love

Lovers

Magnetism

Mastery

Material life

Meditation

Message

Mind

Physical Body

Planes

Poets

Power

Prayers

Purpose

Reconstruction of World

Relationships

Religions

Saints

School

Scientists

Sexuality

Sleep

Speaking

Stages

Stories

Sufism

Teaching Style

Voice

Women

World

Wounds of the Heart

Sub-Topic

Harmony in Speaking

Psychological Effect

Rhythm in Speaking

Vol. 2, The Mysticism of Sound

3. Harmony

Rhythm in Speaking

It must be understood that rhythm is the balance of speech and action.

  • One must speak at the right time,
  • otherwise silence is better than speech:
  • a word of sympathy with the grief of another, and
  • a smile at least when another laughs.
  • One should watch the opportunity for moving a subject in society, and
  • never abruptly change the subject of conversation, but skillfully blend two subjects with a harmonious link.
  • Also one should wait patiently while another speaks, and
  • keep a rein on one's speech when the thought rushes out uncontrollably, in order to keep it in rhythm and under control during its outlet.
  • One should emphasize the important words with a consideration of strong and weak accent.
  • It is necessary to choose the right words and mode of expression, to regulate the speed and to know how to keep the rhythm.
  • Some people begin to speak slowly and gradually increase the speed to such an extent that they are unable to speak coherently.

The above named rules apply to all actions in life.

The Sufi, like a student of music, trains both his voice and ear in the harmony of life. The training of the voice consists in being conscientious about each word spoken, about its tone, rhythm, meaning and the appropriateness for the occasion. For instance the words of consolation should be spoken in a slow rhythm, with a soft voice and sympathetic tone. When speaking words of command a lively rhythm is necessary, and a powerful distinct voice.

The Sufi avoids all unrhythmic actions; he keeps the rhythm of his speech under the control of patience, not speaking a word before the right time, not giving an answer until the question is finished. He considers a contradictory word a discord unless spoken in a debate, and even at such times he tries to resolve it into a consonant chord. A contradictory tendency in man finally develops into a passion, until he contradicts even his own idea if it be propounded by another.