“Holy people don’t swear.”
“Swearing pollutes your consciousness.”
“If you swear, you’re very bad. And no one likes you. And you probably smell.”
Okay, that last one was a stretch, but you get the idea.
Swearing and spirituality are generally seen as enemies.
Indeed, I remember a spiritual teacher once proclaiming that, since she stopped swearing, her life improved in countless ways.
At the time, I was in ministerial school, so I took this to heart. And to mouth.
I decided that I, too, would stop swearing. I, too, would improve my life in countless ways.
Did it work? Well, I got through ministerial school. So there’s that.
But then a funny thing happened.
After I graduated, after I got stamped with the “minister” label, I found myself readopting my old habit.
Part of this was my rebellion about what “minister” was supposed to be. When I was a kid, minister meant: Male. Stuffy. Conservative.
Since I’m none of those things, I figured everything else about Z-as-minister could be different too.
Including my mouth.
So, almost immediately after graduation, I started letting my mouth say whatever it wanted to say.
I’ve always loved to swear. It makes me feel energized and alive.
And now that I’m a swearing minister, it reminds me that Spirit is everywhere, in everything.
Spirit is in the word “Love.” Spirit is in the word “Fuck.” (Shocking, I know!)
Every word that exists is part of that infinite life force energy.
Nothing is more or less spiritual than anything else.
And the more I see that, the happier I am.
Now, there are places where I choose not to swear. Like during Sunday morning talks. Most of the places we go are full of primarily older folks. If I choose to drop the F bomb in my talk, some of them aren’t going to hear anything else I say.
In that context, I’m not going to lead with Spirit-is-in-everything-even-the-word-fuck.
Not gonna happen.
Since I re-embraced swearing as a spiritual practice, I found out that it’s actually good for me!
Studies have shown that when we swear, it releases painkillers into our systems.
It sharpens our memories.
Swearing can also increase productivity and help foster social cohesion.
All this, just by dropping the F bomb.
Fuck, yeah!
Now, if you’re someone who’s turned off by swearing, you’re not necessarily going to get all of these benefits.
In that case, you can keep saying “Fiddlesticks” when the tire iron falls on your foot.
The rest of us, we’ll be saying something else…
Is swearing one of your spiritual practices? Share your comments below!
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OMG. Thank you for writing about this subject. I have found that a well-placed F-bomb can wake people up a bit, and discretion is always helpful. I find swearing to be a very spiritual practice. I have a few key phrases that sum it all up sometimes; one of them is ‘shit storm’. Sometimes, that’s what it is. Keep on keepin’ on.
Hi Lydia, Yes – shit storm is such a good one. Very descriptive. Hahaha. Thank you for your comment! XOZ
I am reading “The Divided Mind” by Dr. Joe Salerno. Discovering many of my aches and pains are psychosomatic due to unconscious rage. A good boy doesn’t curse = repressed rage. They won’t like you if you have a potty mouth = repressed rage. I am so tired of hurting so I am going to let my fucking freak flag of a mouth fly (appropriately) but no longer repressed!
Hi Gary,
We LOVE Sarno. Did you hear about him from us, or is this just another one of those cosmic coincidences?!?!
And absolutely, let your Fucking Freak Flag Fly (FFFF)!!!!
We love you!!
XOZ
OMG. thank you for writing about this subject. I too have found that a well-placed
F-bomb can be a useful way of changing the conversation, and yes, discretion is good.
Hi Diane, Yes! I like that – it can be a way to change the conversation. And yes also to discretion. F yeah! 😀 XOZ
Love It!
Hi Lynn, Yay!! XOZ
I fucking love swearing. And I love this piece you wrote!
Hi Shelly,
I fucking love it that you fucking love it! 🙂
XOZ
I believe that all communication is about the energy behind it. I aim to be as kind and loving as I can be in any interaction, I also say fuck a lot. It’s a useful word.
Hi Laura Jo, I absolutely agree. The energy behind language is key. And fuck has lots of energy! 🙂 XOZ
This is just so fucking hilarious!
Thanks Z!
Hi Victoria! Hahaha. Thank you! Yay! XOZ
I don’t swear a lot, but my go-to word is SHIT! I totally agree that Spirit is everywhere including all words. We always taught our kids that there are no bad words only inappropriate ones. They don’t swear much either. I’ve always liked what Mark Twain said, (paraphrasing) “Use the word, not its second cousin.” So there’s that.
Hi Jeanne,
Hello! Good to see you here!
Shit! That’s a great word. And I LOVE that Mark Twain quote. I guess Shucks would be a second cousin to Shit?!
Thank you for your comment!!
XOZ
I had a friend tell me there are no bad works only inappropriate for that moment. I don’t say damn. To damn someone or something for me is against spirit. I don’t say stupid, it’s a judgement which I try not to do.
Hi Barbara, Yes, it’s about finding the right words for the right time! I’m not much a fan of “stupid” or “damn” either. Thank you for your comment!! XOZ
Love everything you said!!!! YES THERE IS A TIME AND A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING,NOT ONLY IS CUSSING A GREAT STRESS RELIEVER,BUT FOR HEAVENS SAKE WE MUST HAVE SOME HUMOR IN OUR LIVES,CUSSING CAN BE SO- – – FUNNY,THANK YOU👍
Yay! I agree – cussing is funny AF! 🙂