mrblack wrote:However, as what Slater mentioned, it's about communicating your intent clearly - that's
the key to making it work. I can be respectful and make my intent clearly, heck - I can
chant the entities name (like how I did in my previous success story) and still get results
with that method.
Words are just words and like in mundane side of communication, one aspect of the
whole process of communication.
Exactly, it is all about communicating your intent clearly. The words are representative of collective and individual concepts, and intentions. A word like "request" implies the option for either approval or denial at the discretion of the person being petitioned (in this case the angel.) This is not a very specific word, and imo it isn't a particularly good one to use for this. The words do matter, and the definition you have of them matters even more.
Many people have a problem with "commanding angels," which is why this thread was started...and the major reason for this is the personal definition one has of the word "command." I see this word as implying a specific action that must be done, no room for error.. like issuing a command on a computer system. Most people connect this word with concepts of oppression, dominance, control, etc. Because it is most often used in that context.
I'm all for respect, 100%...so long as you are properly communicating your intentions, you can use whatever words you want and be completely successful. However, it is very important to know what you're saying, what each part of it means to you, and what goes on in your head when you use specific words (in turn knowing what you're actually communicating with your language.) The words we hear and use hold meanings for us that have been programmed since the time we first learned them, and it isn't very easy to break/change that programming.
As an example, if I told you that I think you're beautiful, you're awesome, and you're the best, that would probably make you feel pretty good (reading it probably has less of an effect, but someone who doesn't smile when you call them beautiful will be hard found .) If, on the other hand, I said I thought you were ugly, or a fucking stupid jackass.. the feelings evoked would be far less pleasant. The reaction that almost everyone has to words like these is predetermined, and not under their control, based upon how they've already defined the intent behind the particular word.
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