Those who keep no secrets have no depth in their hearts.
Hazrat Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan
Related Material by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan
Compiled by Wahiduddin Richard Shelquist – wahiduddin.net
Those who keep no secrets have no depth; their hearts are like vessels turned upside down.
The secret of all attainment is centered in reserve. Spiritual or material, when people have told their plans to others, they have let out the energy that they should have kept as a reservoir of power for the accomplishment of their object. … The teaching, ‘Be wise as a serpent,’ may be interpreted, ‘Be quiet as a serpent.’ It is quietude that gives wisdom and power. The thought held in mind speaks to the mind of another, but the thought spoken out most often only reaches the ears of a person. Every plan has a period of development; and if we have power over our impulses, by retaining the thoughts silently in mind, we allow the plan to develop and to take all necessary changes that it may take for its culmination. But when the impulse expresses the thought, it so to speak ‘puts out the flame,’ thus hindering the development of the plan. The wise speak with their mind many times before they speak about it to anybody.
( from Githa, Series I: Part 1 – Sadhana (The Path of Attainnment), Paper 7 [ unpublished ] )
I say, “Without the control over your lips you will not be able to develop inspiration.” As a poet has said, “When the shell closes its lips, then the pearl develops in it.” … the more you are able to keep your secret in your heart, the greater you become. You have more weight, your personality becomes more reliable, more dependable. As it is said in Vadan that it is best to say something without saying.
( from Sangatha, Series II: Nashihat, Secrecy on the Path of Truth [ unpublished ] )
As soon as people think, ‘I am more,’ the doors of knowledge are closed. They will no more be able to widen their knowledge because automatically, the doors of their heart are closed the moment they say, ‘I know.’
Spiritual knowledge, the knowledge of life, is so intoxicating, so exalting, it gives such a great joy, that one begins to pour out one’s knowledge before anyone who comes along, as soon as this knowledge springs up. But if at that time disciples could realize that they should conserve that kindling of the light, reserve it, keep it within themselves and let it deepen, then their words would not be necessary and their presence would enlighten others. As soon as the spring rises and they pour forth, what comes out of that spring in words, although on the one side their vanity will be satisfied, on the other side their energy will be exhausted. The little spring that had risen, they have poured out before others and they remain without power. This is why reserve is taught to the true disciple, the conserving of inspiration and power. The one who speaks is not always wise; it is the one who listens who is wise.
The more one knows the secret of the world the more one feels inclined to keep it secret. And the more one keeps secret what one knows, the more life unfolds its secrets to one. … it must be remembered that the power of the body is nothing in comparison with the power of the mind. And the power of the one who keeps a secret is greater than the power of the giant who lifts a mountain. All that one holds is preserved, all that one lets go is dispersed.
Commentary by Murshid S.A.M. (Sufi Ahmed Murad)
Samuel L. Lewis
The tongue brings all life to the surface and keeps life on the surface. When one is silent, particularly in Darood, the life force touches the deepest parts of one’s being. When one has something to say and does not say it except to whisper it (so to speak) to God, that thing is endowed with life and blessing, and if it is a wish, verily will it be fulfilled. If it is a danger to another, verily another will be protected when one keeps the secret in silence, whispering only to God.