HUMANIS

Journal of Arts and Humanities

p-ISSN: 2528-5076, e-ISSN: 2302-920X

Terakreditasi Sinta-4, SK No: 23/E/KPT/2019

Vol 26.2 Mei 2022: 200-206

Conceptual Metaphor in Daily Spiritual Texts Murli by Brahma Kumaris

Putu Indira Gita Maharani, I Made Rajeg

Udayana University, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia

Correspondence email: maharaniindira@yahoo.com , imaderajeg@gmail.com

Article Info

Abstract

Submitted: 3rd January 2022 Revised: 28th January 2022 Accepted: 15th March 2022

The meaning of metaphor is understanding as one of the conceptual domain in terms of other conceptual domains. A metaphor is used effortlessly in everyday life, including in a literary work. The aimed of this study is able to help people to understand the metaphoric meaning of Murli, a spiritual text

Keywords: conceptual metaphor; metaphorical expression; Murli;

Personification

written by Brahma Kumaris. The problems of this study discussed based on metaphorical expressions used in daily spiritual texts Murli and the conceptual metaphors motivate the application of the metaphorical expressions in daily spiritual texts Murli. The data of this study is taken from the daily

Corresponding Author:

Putu Indira Gita Maharani, email:

maharaniindira@yahoo.com

spiritual texts by Brahma Kumaris Murli. The technique that is used to collect the data is note-taking technique. The metaphor is identified using MIP (Metaphor Identification Process) by Pragglejaz Group This method helpsthe process of analysis methaphorical words. The result of this study showed that Murli

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24843/JH.20

22.v26.i.02.p15

consist of 16 conceptual metaphors of the structural metaphor, 2 conceptual metaphors of the orientational metaphor, and 3 conceptual metaphors of the ontological metaphor including the personification and 1 conceptual metaphor of the metonymy.

INTRODUCTION

According to the Kövecses (2002:vii), metaphor is compared of a figure of speech in which A is compared to B. The structure of the conceptual metaphor is the target domain and the source domain. The source is able to help in understanding the target domain.As an example, a conceptual metaphor LIFE IS A DRAMA. This concept have two domains which function to understand one conceptual domain to other conceptual domain. The two domains of this concept are the target domain LIFE and the source domain is DRAMA.

As stated by Semino (2008:4), metaphor can be used to give people a sense of familiarity when they are faced with something they have little knowledge about.

Preposition structures are common modifiers of noun phrases, verbal phrases, adjectival phrases, or clauses and sentences as a whole by Zhu, (2009:379). In interacting with and modifying other linguistic elements, prepositions can play a very important role in the syntactic realizations of semantic arguments. According to Owen (1993: 168), a cornerstone of the grammar we shall be looking at is the belief that a description of the language should be organized much more closely around the ways in which words behave than around abstract structures into which we can slot items selected from a wordstore or 'lexicon'. This articlce analyzed Murli by spiritual texts to help people understand the meaning of the spiritual text.

METHOD THEORY

The data in this study was taken from the Spiritual Texts Murli writenby Brahma Kumaris Group. Brahma Kumaris is the university for learning spiritual “raja yoga” in Mount Abu, Rajasthan, India. This organization teaches a form of meditation as an identity, souls, and the cycle of time. It' was found by Lekraj Kripalani. Murli is the texts that were taught orally byThe Supreme Soul. The content of the daily spiritual texts “Murli” is about self, the cycle of time, karma. Murli is read every day as much as four pages in Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. The data of spiritual texts Murli by Brahma kumaris group is chosen because it made others understood the raja yoga, the time of cycle and karma.

The scope of the discussion was limited to the use of conceptual metaphors in daily spiritual texts Murli. The theory Metaphor: A Practical Introduction by Kӧvecses (2002) proposed by Lakoff and Johnson theory has been used for analyzing the types of conceptual metaphor. The collected data was qualitevely analyzed with MIP (Metaphor Identification Procedure) by Pragglejaz Group. The formal method was used to presets the analysis.

Review of Literature

The first undergraduate thesis is written by Primahadi Wijaya (2009) entitled “Metaphorical Expressions in the Songs by My Chemical Romance: a Semantic Analysis”. This undergraduate thesis has similarities of the present study. The data source of this undergraduate thesis is taken from twelve songs by My Chemical Romance and the analyzed by choosing randomly of MCR'S three albums. Primahadi Wijaya (2009) explained the result of his analyses of three types of conceptual metaphors is written by Lakoff and Johnson, 1980.

The second undergraduate thesis is Metaphorical Expressions Related To God In COCA: A Semantic Analysis written by Sanjaya (2016). The topic has similarities in the present study. Sanjaya explained in his background that metaphor is a major area of interest within the field of semantics, (Sanjaya,2016:1). Besides, among cultures in

the world concern God in some different ways. According to Rajeg and Primahadi Wijaya R. (2015: 6), the result of this metaphorical expression is “GOD IS HUMAN”.

The last undergraduate thesis considered important to the present study is written by Sisiana (2017). The title of this undergraduate thesis is ‘Metaphorical Expressions Related To Life Found In A Semantic Analysis Bhagavad Gita As It Is’. This undergraduate thesis has aims to identify and classify the types of metaphorical expressions related to life found in Bhagavad Gita As It Is. The theory of conceptual metaphor by this undergraduate thesis is MIP (Metaphor Identification Procedure) by Pragglejaz Group (2007).

The first journal from Dinh Thi Mai Anh (2007) entitled An Investigation of Conceptual Metaphors Denoting “Life” in American and Vietnamese Short Stories. This study has aimed to probe into conceptual metaphors denoting “life” in nineteen American and nineteen Vietnamese short stories from 1975 to 1991 in the light of Lakoff and Johnson's framework (1980). The methods of this study are quantitative and qualitative. These methods are used in the process of analyzing the collected data. This study is great because the result of this study shows that the highest frequency of occurrence belongs to the ontological metaphors in both languages, accounting for an impressive percentage of 55.2 with 112 samples out of 203 illustrations in total. The second and last journal that helps this study is Football is War: a Case Study of Minute-by-Minute Football Commentary is written by Gunnar Bergh (2011). This article is great because is used live commentary and this study is explained the semantic role.

Conceptual Metaphor

Conceptual metaphor is a metaphor in which cognitive processes expressed a concept to another concept, which corresponds to the previous concept, to understand or construct a more abstract concept. The conceptual domain in this metaphor has been used in this study such as the target domain and source domain. The

conceptual domain from which the metaphorical expressions to understand another conceptual domain is the source domain, while the target domain is the conceptual domain that is trying to be understood through the source domain (Kӧvecses (2002)). For example, ARGUMENT IS WAR". WAR is the source domain is able using to understand the target domain ARGUMENT. The metaphorical expression "She cut my argument" can support the concept ARGUMENT IS WAR.

  • A.    Structural Metaphor

Structural metaphor is a metaphor that has one complex concept that is explained with metaphorically structured in terms of another concept. In this study, the structural metaphor has been explained 2 domains such as source domain and target domain. The source domain has provides the structure for the concept of the target domain. According to the Kӧvecses (2002:33), in this metaphor has the cognitive function is to enable speakers to understand the target and employing the structure of source b. For example:

TIME PASSING IS MOTION OF AN OBJECT

  • [2-1] The time will come when …(Kӧvecses (2002:33))

  • [2-2] The time has long since gone when

...(Kӧvecses (2002:33))

  • B.    Orientational Metaphor

Orientational metaphor is the structure of one concept in terms of another, its cognitive function is to make target concepts coherent in our conceptual system. As the following the spatial concept, such as:

  • 1.    Up or down

  • 2.    In or out

  • 3.    Front or back

  • 4.    On or off

  • 5.    Deep or shallow

  • 6.    Central or peripheral

For examples of the concept HAPPY IS UP, SAD IS DOWN:

  • a.    I’m feeling up

  • b.    She is in high spirits

  • c.    I fell into depression

  • d.    Don’t let me down.

  • C.    Ontological Metaphor

Philosophy discusses everything that has the nature of existence as an abstract or real, including God, human beings and the universe or nature. In general, Philosophy systematics has three types, such as; epistemology or the theory of knowledge that discusses how to obtain the knowledge, ontology or essence theory that discusses the nature of things that create the knowledge and axiology or value theory that discusses the use of knowledge.

Ontology comes from Greek, on / ontos = there, and Logos = science. So, ontology is the science of reality, which is the ultimate reality both in the form of physical/concrete and spiritual/abstract.

As stated by Lakoff and Johnson (1980: 35), a metaphor in which physical objects are further determined as the human is called the clearest ontological metaphor. This statement can understand us to comprehend a wide variety of experiences with nonhuman entities in terms of human motivations, characteristics, and activities.

Metonymy.

According to the Kövecses (2002:145), Metonymy is one of the conceptual entity, the vehicle, put on the mental access to another conceptual entity

Conceptual Mapping Model

According to Ahrens (2010), a few questions both the source and target domain to explore their connections.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

  • 1.    Structural Metaphor

Structural metaphor is the conceptual metaphor which conceptualized of the metaphorically structured (Kövecses: 2002).

KNOWLEDGE IS LIGHT:

[3-1]The sun of knowledge (October            13th,2019)

  • [3-2] The moon of knowledge

(October 13th,2019)

KNOWLEDGE is the target domain. LIGHT is the source domain. The entities of the source domain LIGHT are “sun” and “moon”. The moon and the sun are the galaxies. The moon and the sun have a different power of energy from the galaxies. The sun is a large natural magnet and it has great attractive power. It is attracting all other planets which remain revolving around it under its magnetic influence. The Earth is especially related to the Sun. Its rotation causes days and nights and the revolution around the Sun causes years. The moon has the rule of water. This statement can support the data [3-1] and [3-2]. According to spiritual knowledge, the moon can transform the power of coolness. Each star has taken the light and the truth and might of truth from the sunand become filled with the power of truth, like the God and an embodiment of truth.

  • 2.    Orientational Metaphor

Orientational metaphor is a conceptual metaphor where the cognitive function is to make target concepts coherent in our conceptual system (Kövecses: 2002).

REMEMBRANCE TO THE GOD IS UP (UPRIGHT); IGNORANCE IS DOWN (LOW):

  • [3-3] If I am unable to have remembrance, I won't be able to claim such a high

status. (October 23rd, 2019)

  • [3-4]    Have    now    become

tamophradhan

(October 23rd, 2019)

high status” can support the REMEMBRANCE IS UP (UPRIGHT). According            to            spiritual

knowledge,remembrance is able to being good behavior. This statement is able to also support the concept REMEMBRANCE IS UP (UPRIGHT). The concept REMEMBRANCE IS UP (UPRIGHT) has the opposite of the concept of IGNORANCE IS DOWN (LOW). In data [3-3] is shown the concept of IGNORANCE   IS   DOWN   (LOW).

Tamophradan” is the Sanskrit language. It means a low position. According to spiritual knowledge, if we don’t have remembrance or

connection with God, we will become tamophradan.

  • 3.    Ontological Metaphor

The ontological metaphor is a conceptual metaphor that gives a new ontological status to general categories of abstract target concepts and to bring about new abstract entities (Kövecses: 2002). Based on the theory of Conceptual Metaphor and the use of MIP (Metaphor Identification Procedure), it has been found out that there are following concept in the spiritual texts, such as DEATH IS POOR and MIND IS WIRELESS. The analysis of meaning in these concepts, and the data that includes in these concepts are described as follows:

DEATH IS POOR:

  • [3-5] Some even ran away empty-handed. (Septemberl4h ,2019)

Ontological Metaphor is used so that we can refer, quantify, or identify aspects of experiences. Once we refer experiences as an object, we can categorize it, or even quantified it. DEATH is usually being conceptualized as the poor, hence why in this metaphor, death sometimes referred to as poor. “empty-handed" is able to support the poor.

MIND IS WIRE

[3-6] Service of the mind is a spiritual wireless set through which you can make a distant relationship into a close relationship. (September 15th ,2019).

The source domain "relationship" can support of the source domain WIRE. The wire is the great electromagnetic which make the transfer of information. According to spiritual knowledge, the mind is wireless. The power of the mind can make a soul whose state of mind is in upheaval become completely unshakeable. The power of the mind means good wishes and elevated feelings. With these elevated feelings, you can transform a soul with a doubting intellect

into one who has an intellect filled with love and devotion. With these elevated feelings, you can transform a soul's wasteful feelings into powerful feelings. With these elevated feelings, you can even change the nature of a soul. With the power of elevated feelings, you can enable a soul to experience the fruit of love and devotion. With elevated feelings, you can bring a soul closer to God.

Personification is the physical object or the non-human objects are further specified as a being person.

GOD IS FATHER:

  • [3-7] The Father comes simply to give His own introduction and the introduction of souls. (October 23rd,  2019)

  • [3-8] The Father makes you pure (October 17th,2019)

  • [3-9] He is teaching you how this world cycle continues. (October 19th,2019)

  • [3-10] The Father sits here and explains to      the          spiritual

children. (October 23th,  2019)

The data of [3-7] until [3-10] are proved God has the similarities of the Father. “comes”, “give”, “introduction”, “makes”, “teaching”, “sits”, “explains” is the entities of the source domain THE FATHER. The Father is observing that although he has given these jewels to everyone, some have increased these jewels and some have not increased them. Some are fully accomplished in them. Some use them only at the time of need, whilst others always use them and increase them multimillion fold.

We souls have two fathers: one is corporeal and the other is incorporeal. No one else could say that He is the Supreme Father. No one except the Father can tell you this. Only the Father asks: When you say “Supreme Father, Supreme Soul, God the Father”, to whom are you referring? Are you referring to a worldly father or to the Father from beyond this world? Would you call your physical father “God, the Father”? There is the term “Parampita” (Supreme Father) in Hindi. He is the only incorporeal

One. Saying “Ishwar, Prabhu or Bhagwan" doesn't prove the relationship of the Father. The expression "God, the Father" is good. The soul says: He is my God, the Father. A worldly father is just the father of the body. You are all asked: How many fathers do you have? One is worldly and the other is from beyond this world. Who is the greater of the two? It would be said to be the Father from beyond. His praise is The Father from beyond who purifies all the impure. You understand this now. No one in the world understands this. The Father has explained that you love the Father from beyond. Others have non-loving intellects at the time of destruction. It is now the time of destruction. People know that that same Mahabharat War has to take place.

  • 4.    Metonymy

Metonymy is a cognitive process in which one conceptual entity, the vehicle, provides mental access to another conceptual, the target, within the same domain, (Kövecses, 2002:145).

THE FACE FOR THE PERSON:

[3-11]      His      face      also

becomes as red as     copper.

(October 16th, 2019)

the face for the person is the concept of the data [3-31].In the data [3-31], red is defined as the anger of a person.

CONCLUSION

Based on foregoin discussion, the study showed that Murli consist of sixteen kinds of Structural Metaphors, one kind of Orientational Metaphor and three kinds of Ontological Metaphor and one kind of metonymy. As for the metaphorical expressions that represent the conceptual metaphors, the analisis showed thirty-one expressions.

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