Water and words

In 1994, a Japanese scientist, Dr Masaru Emoto, performed a series of experiments to find a relation between words and water. First, he examined frozen tap water under the electron microscope and recorded the pictures. Then, he collected samples of water from nearby lakes and a river, and put them in different bottles labelled with names of various emotions. When he examined these samples, he discovered something mind-blowing.

The photographs of the water samples exposed to positive thoughts and emotions showed beautiful hexagonal crystals looking like delicate snowflakes. However, the photographs did not resemble each other as each sample exhibited different symmetrical patterns. Symmetry is a key element of aesthetic appeal. In contrast, water samples exposed to negative emotions of hate and anger crystalised into asymmetrical patterns, producing visually unappealing crystals. In another set of experiments, he found that no crystals were formed in a sample of tap water that had not been labelled with any emotion. However, the unlabelled water samples from lakes and a river showed symmetry and beauty in their crystals, reflecting the natural purity of their sources.

This reminded me of the late Ashfaq Ahmad, who once said in the programme Zavia on PTV that reciting Durood Sharif - an invocation of blessings upon the last Rasool (SAWW) of Allah - while holding a glass of water in both hands can change the taste of that water. To a rational mind, this sounds unnatural and unscientific. But research like that of Dr Masaru drives us to look into paranormal disciplines of knowledge and consider intangible links between matter and energy. Dr Masaru Emoto says that since the human body is made up of almost 70% water, the vibrational energy of words can impact the body positively or negatively, depending on the nature of those words. From here, it is only natural to deduce that the recitation of holy scriptures can cure us of physical as well as psychological maladies. This method has traditionally been used as a form of healing for the human body. In Dr Emoto's experiments, no human agency was involved in transferring the effect of emotions into the water. However, we cannot entirely dismiss human agency in complementing the transformative power of holy scriptures, as even the source of water - whether from a tap or a lake, as seen in the second set of experiments - can influence the structure of its crystals. By drawing a corollary, the impact of words can also be achieved by the correct and rhythmic articulation of a scriptural text.

This episteme leads us to question whether the orthography of the labels can have a varied impact on the memory of water and, hence, on the symmetry of the crystals. Within this framework, it is conceivable that the emotional impact of words - whether positive or negative - might influence the formation or distortion of crystal patterns. Dr Emato claims that human consciousness directly influences the molecular structure of water. He advises us to use the memory of water for self-development: "Water has a memory and carries within it our thoughts and prayers. As you yourself are water, no matter where you are, your prayers will be carried to the rest of the world." Then he moves to the next stage from words to actions when he says, "When you have become the Embodiment of Gratitude, think about how Pure the Water that fills your Body will be. When this happens, you Yourself will be a Beautiful Shining Crystal of Light."

Students should also be treated as impressionable bodies of water on which the teachers' kind or harsh words leave indelible marks. Teachers are authors of emotions, writing human scripts of emotions daily. When students believe their feelings are protected and their emotions are not snubbed, learning becomes explorative rather than defensive. Whether water listens or not, students certainly do. One must daily ask oneself, "What kind of crystals are we forming in students?" Students should be trained to speak pleasantly not only to their class fellows but also to themselves. Negativity pollutes the cellular water, and we all know that polluted water is injurious to a healthy life.