Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- consciousness / ˈkɒn ʃəs nɪs / (n.) – a person’s mind or thoughts
Example:The scary memory keeps repeating in his consciousness.
- cave dweller / keɪv ˈdwɛl ər / (n.) – someone who lives in a cave
Example:The newly discovered cave showed evidence of the existence of cave dwellers from 15,000 years ago.
- irritate / ˈɪr ɪˌteɪt / (v.) – to make someone annoyed or angry
Example:People who talk loudly irritate me.
- insistent / ɪnˈsɪs tənt / (adj.) – happening continuously and hard to ignore
Example:The company brought back its limited-edition product because of insistent public demand.
- nuisance / ˈnu səns / (n.) – something that causes annoyance or trouble
Example:Loud music can be a nuisance to neighbors, especially at night.
Article
Read the text below.
Continued from Part 1…
Humming — or a version of it — also helps during meditation. Many meditation exercises use the “Om” chant to relax and enhance well-being. Some people say it helps us to reach a higher consciousness. The “Om” chant is a kind of humming, where you breathe and make sounds. Many religious and meditative practices use similar chants that are like humming.
So how did we come to hum?
According to scientists, humming and other rhythmic behaviors are likely millions of years old. Cave dwellers may have copied the sounds animals make when they meet. When the early humans met strangers, these sounds might have been a signal that they were people and not predators. Humming was a way of communicating safety in a dangerous environment. Today, humming may still communicate that all is well.
It is also true that some people are irritated and distracted by other people humming. It can sound like the buzzing of a mosquito near your ear. Who hasn’t wanted to say “Stop it!” or “Shut up!” to some repetitive and insistent “noise”? If you’re one of those people that sees humming as a nuisance, I hope you’ll understand it’s completely natural — and a nuisance with benefits.
Why not hum a few bars and see for yourself? It feels pretty good! (Beverly A. Jackson)
This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- Many meditation exercises use the “Om” chant to relax and enhance well-being. Some people say it helps us to reach a higher consciousness. Do you think this is true? Would you ever try doing the “Om” chant? Why or why not? Discuss.
- Humming was a way of communicating safety in a dangerous environment. Today, humming may still communicate that all is well. In your opinion, is non-verbal communication, like humming, effective? Why or why not? Discuss.
Discussion B
- Some people are irritated and distracted by other people humming. What do you think is the best way to deal with a person when he/she does something that annoys you? Why? Discuss.
- Some people see humming as a nuisance. What do you consider a nuisance (ex. people who leave a mess, neighbors who are too loud)? Why? Discuss.