Vocal Integrity

A quote from Buddhist history states: “Let the voice do the Buddha's work”.

The human voice is possibly the most beautiful musical instrument in the Universe.

The combination of breath, the vibration of the vocal cords and the shaping of the mouth all integrate into a remarkable instrument.

Its subtle capacity to inflect and change the pitch, pace, power and tone of what is said outshines any mechanical note-making device.

Arguably, the very sound of the human voice, irrespective of language and accent, is the critical communication element, communicating integrity or otherwise.

In an instant, the human voice can transmit the sound of fear or lack or exude confidence and sincerity.

Naturally, its production is directly influenced by a myriad of physical elements, most notably posture and breath, which initially cause the flow of air through the vocal cords at just the right rate.

Subsequently, the sound is projected onto the hard and soft areas of the mouth so that the sound is correctly projected out of the mouth clearly.

The positioning of the tongue ensures the crisp clarity of consonants, and the opening of the mouth ensures clear vowels.

Naturally, the most fundamental element of all this physiology is our state of mind, which can be governed by fear and a lack of inner wholeness and integrity.

In some terms, are we speaking from oneness and wholeness or speaking from duality and fear?

Are we speaking to someone else or speaking with ourselves on a deep level?

Speaking to another creates resistant tones of separateness

Speaking to ourselves creates embracing tones of oneness.

Are the tones of our voice communicating attachment and control, or are they communicating confidence and freedom?

Whatever words are said, the tone says it all.

Are we more focused on the quantity of words rather than the quality of tone, pace, pitch and power?

I once heard that Confucius advised people to think seven times before they spoke.

Like any musical instrument, the human voice may also benefit from conscious respect and nurturing through helpful vocal exercises.

Often, we put our voice into action without warming it up and caring for it.

Like running a race without even stretching our body first.

However, these exercises are far more powerful when combined with a fundamentally peaceful mind and body that is releasing its contractions because it has found its source of inner peace.

Perhaps we can agree that the combination of both yields the most effective results.

Like all things, it should flow naturally and not be contrived.

Love

Freyja