Let not the spirit wander while the words of prayer run on out of our mouth.
This quote is emphasizing the importance of sincerity and mindfulness in prayer. It’s suggesting that when we pray, it’s crucial to not just say the words but also to truly mean them and feel them within our spirit. The ‘spirit’ here refers to our consciousness or our inner self, which should be fully engaged and focused during prayer rather than being distracted or disengaged.
The ‘words of prayer running out of our mouth’ symbolize empty or mechanical recitation where the words are spoken without any real feeling or understanding. Gandhi is warning against this kind of hollow ritualism where the act of praying becomes more about going through the motions rather than a sincere expression of faith.
In today’s world, this idea can be applied beyond religious prayers to any form of mindful practice or communication. For instance, when expressing love or gratitude to someone else, it’s important that these aren’t just empty words but are backed by genuine feelings.
In terms of personal development too, this principle holds great value. Often in pursuit of self-improvement goals like meditation, affirmations etc., people end up mechanically repeating mantras without really internalizing their meaning. However, for such practices to have true transformative power one must engage fully with them both mentally and emotionally – ensuring their spirit doesn’t wander while they’re reciting these words.
Hence Gandhi’s quote serves as a reminder for us all – whether we’re praying, communicating with others or working on personal development – sincerity and mindfulness should always take precedence over mere ritualistic repetition.
