Language Confusion
Definition:
The mistaken assumption that a single word carries the same meaning in every context. In truth, words are overloaded — their meaning shifts depending on culture, speaker, developmental stage, or context.
Nature:
Everyday level: Words are shorthand for shared reference points (“ego != arrogance,” “spirit != ghost,” etc.).
Philosophical/psychological level: Words map to nuanced, layered concepts.
Spiritual/nondual level: Words often break down entirely; they become pointers rather than definitions.
Without distinguishing levels, paradoxes multiply — because people collapse multiple definitions into one, mistaking a language problem for a reality problem.
Mechanics:
Overlapping Definitions: One term (e.g. ego) may refer to:
Default mode loops (Ego-1)
Functional task self (Ego-2)
Separation filter itself (Ego-3)
Collapse them, and “ego is bad” vs. “ego is necessary” looks contradictory — when in fact they’re talking about different definitions.
Translation Issues: Ancient words (e.g. Māyā, Atman, Spirit) lose precision when mapped into modern English.
Personal Dictionaries: Each person has a unique mapping of words → experiences. Arguments often arise not from differing realities, but differing dictionaries.
Resolution:
Granularity: Split overloaded terms into multiple entries (e.g. Ego-1/2/3, Truth-1/2).
Context Check: Always ask, “What does this word mean in this context?”
Pointer Awareness: Recognize when words are functioning as pointers to direct experience rather than as fixed categories.
Metaphor:
Language is like a map. Confusion happens when you assume all maps are drawn to the same scale. Some are city maps, some are world maps, some are star charts. If you don’t check which one you’re using, you’ll get lost.