During my corporate days as Director of Leadership Development, I had the opportunity to undergo various trainings, nationally and internationally, that later equipped me to translate all my learnings into developing solutions for people development. One of the models that we frequently relied upon was the Emotional Intelligence Model by Daniel Goleman. This model was used for various leadership learning needs that included helping others to improve their effective communication skills. For example, in certain situations, it was used to enhance an individual’s active listening skills to enhance his communication effectiveness. In Active listening, it involved fully focusing on the speaker, reflecting their message and responding empathetically. For instance, in a workplace conflict resolution scenario, a manager uses active listening to address an employee’s grievance about workload stress. The manager, during his conversation maintains eye contact, paraphrases the employee’s concerns (e.g. “It sounds like you’re feeling overwhelmed by tight deadlines”) and validates their emotions (e.g. “I understand how stressful that can be”). These statements foster trust, de-escalate tension and lead to a collaborative solution, such as redistributing tasks within the team or maybe coaching or mentoring the employee. Studies have shown active listening improves team dynamics and productivity, proving its effectiveness.
Despite its strengths, active listening operates primarily at the psychological and interpersonal level, focusing on the articulated stage of communication. It lacks a framework for addressing deeper, metaphysical dimensions of human connection. For example, in the same workplace scenario, if the employee’s stress stems from a profound sense of disconnection or existential anxiety, common in high-pressure modern environments, active listening may provide temporary relief but fail to address the root cause. While these models and frameworks emphasise skills such as clarity, empathy and active listening that is important for gaining valuable insights, they often address communication at a surface level, similar to the tip of an iceberg. Perhaps these models do not tap into the universal or spiritual dimensions of the employee’s experience, leaving a gap in fostering lasting inner peace or collective harmony.
During those days as a Practitioner, I failed to realise it until, I started studying Kashmir Shaivism. As I dealt deeper, I realised modern Emotional Intelligence models rarely explore the vibrational or energetic impact of words, limiting their ability to connect individuals to a broader sense of purpose or unity. I realised that beneath the tip of this iceberg lies a profound dimension explored by ancient Indian sages through the Science of Matrika, also referred to as the science of alphabets, which transcends spoken words and thoughts, connecting individuals to the universal consciousness.
Matrika Science is rooted in ancient Indian spiritual traditions, particularly Tantra and Vedic philosophy, which views communication as an expression of divine energy. The term Matrika refers to the “mother” or source of sound, embodied in the Sanskrit alphabet’s 50 letters, each representing a specific vibration or shakti (energy). These vibrations are not merely phonetic but are believed to be the building blocks of the universe, resonating at physical, mental and metaphysical levels. In this philosophy and tradition, universal consciousness expresses and manifests itself through Matrika, the subtle energy of letters and sounds. Every sound is a manifestation of consciousness. Speech isn’t just communication but creation itself. The entire universe is a vibrational field of awareness, and every word and sound carries within it the potential of Shiva manifested through Shakti, also termed Prakasha and Vimarsha.
Communication, in the wisdom of Kashmir Shaivism, unfolds through four layers, each reflecting a deeper level of consciousness and intent. Understanding and embodying these levels can radically transform how we lead, relate and create in today’s fast-paced, reactive world. According to the Kashmir Shaivism and Shakta tradition texts, speech manifests through four stages, each deeper than the last:
1. Para (Transcendental): The subtlest level, where sound exists as pure consciousness or Shiva-Shakti unity, beyond form or expression. It is the universal source of all creation, similar to the cosmic vibration Om. Para, the innermost layer, is pure consciousness. It is the undivided source of all expression, unmanifest yet potent. At this level, one no longer speaks from the ego, but allows universal intelligence to flow. Communication from this state carries presence, depth, and truth, it doesn’t just inform, it transforms.
2. Pashyanti (Visionary): The stage where intention or thought begins to form, non-differentiated and unified with universal consciousness. It is the realm of pure intuition. Pashyanti is the visionary state, the level where communication is not yet fragmented into words. It is intuitive, integrated and non-dual. At this level, ideas are seen as whole, before analysis and articulation. For leaders, creatives and innovators, accessing Pashyanti enables visionary thinking, where insights emerge beyond logic.
3. Madhyama (Intermediate): The mental level where thoughts take shape as inner speech, bridging the subtle and gross realms. Madhyama is the intermediate state, the realm of inner speech. Here, one begins to pause, reflect and create space between stimulus and response. It is thoughtful and value-informed. In today’s language, this is similar to mindful communication, where emotional intelligence, empathy and clarity begin to emerge.
4. Vaikhari (Articulated): The physical level of spoken or written words, the most external form of communication. Vaikhari is the outermost, transactional layer of communication, the spoken word. It is often reactive, shaped by our conditioning, biases, perceptions and hidden motives. Much of modern communication, especially in high-pressure environments, is trapped at this level, leading to misunderstandings, conflict and shallow connections.
Matrika Science suggests that every sound carries a unique vibrational frequency that influences the speaker, listener and the cosmos. By aligning speech with these stages, one can transcend ego-driven communication and connect with the universal consciousness, fostering harmony and spiritual awakening. There is a compelling anecdote often shared in mystic traditions related to Mansoor al-Hallaj, a Sufi mystic who once uttered the controversial yet profound words, “Ana al-Haqq” (I am the Truth). When advised by his teacher not to speak words that might displease the ruler or offend the masses, Mansoor calmly replied, “Had I been the one speaking, I would stop. But it is not I who speaks, It is He.”
This was not an act of defiance, but a deep experiential recognition that he had become a mere conduit for the Divine. The speech no longer arose from his individual ego (Aham), but from the Source itself, Para Vak, the supreme, unstruck sound, the pure will (Iccha) of the universal consciousness.
This episode aligns seamlessly with the concept of Matrika Shakti in Kashmir Shaivism, where letters and sound vibrations are not mere tools of communication but energetic expressions of the Divine Will. When one is established in Para, the highest level of speech, language is not constructed, it flows spontaneously from the field of pure awareness. It is the Divine speaking itself through the individual, unfiltered, unfragmented.
Mansoor’s surrender was not to silence but to a speech beyond duality, where even the act of speaking becomes sacred. This is Matrika as Para, speech that does not belong to the speaker, but to the Absolute.
In the Indian context, such utterances are not foreign. Expressions like “Aham Brahmasmi”, “Shivoham” and “Aham Shivam” are not mere affirmations but felt experiences of oneness with the Ultimate Reality. These declarations arise from deep meditative absorption, where the individual merges into the cosmic self. This is Brahma Nada, the inner, eternal sound that reverberates in silence and reveals the true nature of the Self.
These revelations have been documented not only in the Vedas but also echoed in countless Upanishads, Tantraloka, and Pratibighnya and lived through by saints, seers and sages across millennia. Mansoor’s utterance, viewed through this lens, is not blasphemy but Mahavakya, a great utterance that points to the unity of the self with the absolute.
Perhaps, modern communication models focus primarily on the Vaikhari level, emphasising clarity, structure and emotional resonance. Besides Daniel Goleman’s EI Model we have Shannon Weaver Model and Transactional Model. While they excel in practical settings e.g workplace, negotiations and personal relations operating within the material and psychological levels, they do not address the metaphysical or cosmic dimensions of communication, limiting their ability to foster universal unity or profound transformation. While modern models aim for efficiency and interpersonal success at the transactional level, Matrika Science seeks to unify the individual with the cosmos, addressing the root of disharmony and separation from universal consciousness at transformational and transcendental levels. I have covered this extensively in Chapter 1 of my book, “I am Shiva”, calling it a Model for Vision.
In today’s polarised world, marked by conflicts, misinformation and ecological crises, Matrika Science offers a transformative framework for communication that fosters unity and progress. By recognising speech as a manifestation of divine vibrations, Matrika Science dissolves barriers of language, culture and ideology. Chanting mantras like Om or specific bija (seed) mantras aligns individuals with universal frequencies, promoting empathy and oneness. The practice of mantra and mindful speech calms the mind, reducing stress and aggression. Studies on mantra meditation, such as those on Transcendental Meditation, show reduced cortisol levels and enhanced emotional stability, aligning with Matrika’s emphasis on vibrational harmony. Matrika Science encourages speech rooted in Pashyanti, pure intention, minimising harmful words that fuel conflict. By elevating communication to the Para level, Matrika Science unlocks human potential for creativity and innovation. Ancient Indian texts, suggest that aligning with universal consciousness enhances insight, a principle echoed in modern quantum theories of interconnectedness. Matrika’s view of sound as a cosmic force encourages reverence for nature, as all vibrations are interconnected.
Going again by the example of workplace conflict, a manager who is practicing Matrika Science, will have a very different approach while dealing his people. He won’t treat them differently than himself. His words, tone and energy will neutralise any sense of fear and defensiveness in the mind of the employee. The manager will shift his energy from accusation to alignment. The creative shakti of the employee will be activated instead of being suppressed. The results would be higher engagement, better performance and a stronger team bond.
While modern communication theories provide practical tools for success, they remain limited to the Vaikhari level, addressing only the surface of human interaction. Matrika Science, with its profound understanding of sound as a cosmic force, offers a deeper, more universal approach. By aligning speech with the stages of Para, Pashyanti, and Madhyama, individuals can transcend ego, connect with universal consciousness and foster peace within and without.
Matrika is not mysterious, it is practical energy management through language. When an individual masters it, he doesn’t just speak, he creates, transforms and elevates. Indian Education System needs to revive these profound philosophical traditions in our academic curriculum. It is not merely about preserving heritage but about empowering future generations with deeper insight, self-awareness and holistic thinking. By aligning these timeless wisdom with contemporary learning, India can nurture not only skilled professionals but also conscious, compassionate and visionary individuals.
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