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Speaking About Yourself in the Third Person: A Sufi Secret for Stress Relief

Talking about yourself in the third person might seem odd, but Sufi tradition and yoga practices suggest it’s a powerful tool for stress relief and spiritual growth. Let’s dive into this intriguing practice and its benefits.

The Sufi Perspective

According to Mulá Nasrudín, a spiritual teacher, speaking like a three-year-old—using “he” or “she” instead of “I”—helps transcend the ego and break free from obsessive thoughts. This practice is incorporated into spiritual disciplines, particularly in “witness meditation.”

Mulá Nasrudín once said, “He [or she] speaks like a three-year-old boy. As the baby Juan would say, ‘Juan is hungry,’ ‘Juan is sleepy…'” (Source: The Sufi Book of Life)

From Obsession to Witness

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras note that we’re overwhelmed by nearly 60,000 thoughts daily, filled with self-pity and complaints. To deliver the reins of your mind to Purusha (the witness), you must learn to speak in the third person, making a linguistic change with psychological and spiritual consequences.

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras advise, “You must learn to speak in the third person and thus make a linguistic change of psychological and spiritual consequences.” (Source: Yoga Today)

Mauna: The Power of Silence

Mauna, or silence, is a practice that fosters this linguistic shift. By restricting speech and leaving an interval between thought and expression, you cultivate a new neurolinguistic ability.

As Harold Sequeira, yoga teacher at The Yoga Institute of Bombay, explains, “To practice [Mauna], invest the tongue and make the palate touch before speaking in the third person.” (Source: Harold Sequeira, Yoga Institute of Bombay)

Benefits of ‘Iing’ in the Third Person

Combining Mauna with third-person speech yields remarkable results:

• Emotional relief for overwhelmed individuals
• Reduced head heaviness and tension
• Improved breathing and stomach discomfort alleviation
• Greater resilience to offenses, letting negative words “slip” without affecting you

Sequeira adds, “If someone offends you, you can get their words to ‘slip’ without affecting you.” (Source: Harold Sequeira, Yoga Institute of Bombay)

Samatvam: The Meditation Achievement

Mastering this practice helps achieve Samatvam—meditation as an achievement (see Bhagavad Gita II.48 and following). This paves the way for the blossoming of Bhavas Dharma, Jnana, Vairagya, and Aisvarya.

FaQ

Q: Who can benefit from speaking in the third person?

A: Anyone dealing with stress, emotional overload, or seeking spiritual growth can benefit from this practice.

Q: How long does it take to see results?

A: Benefits may vary, but consistency in practice minor changes can become apparent within a few weeks.

TIP: Start Small

Begin by substituting “I” with your name once a day. Gradually increase frequency as you become more comfortable with the practice.

Join the Conversation

Have you tried speaking about yourself in the third person? Share your experience and insights in the comments below.

Keywords: Sufi, stress relief, Yoga, meditations, Patanjali, Bhagavad Gita, Mauna, self-talk, spiritual growth.