A To Z About Body Language (Second Edition)

​Foreword

That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. — Matthew 23:35

It is in that sacred echo, I discovered a fitting metaphor for my life’s work. As an expert in deception detection and trainer to security forces, investigators, and interviewers across continents, I have long understood that truth often hides—not in words only, but in gestures, glances, and micro-expressions. Inspired by that ancient lineage of truth, this book presents a modern A to Z—not of verbal language alone, but also visible signs, subtle signals, and silent truths. I hope that these pages help you read what the body says when the tongue does not.

Before I ever wrote A to Z,

The sacred text had already said.

From Abel to Zechariah, A to Z,

An alphabet of righteousness, their blood was shed.

Now I write in bodily signs, not speech.

The silent language our bodies teach.

Jackson Yogarajah

Deception Detection Expert & Author

A to Z About Body Language

​INTRODUCTION

This book is a guide to decoding the unspoken messages that surround you every day—those you see, hear, feel, smell, and even taste. In particular, Part 2 will equip you with powerful skills to spot deception and identify cheats, scammers, and liars who attempt to mislead or manipulate you.

As you may already know, the term body language is a misnomer. In truth, it’s an oxymoron—a phrase pairing two incompatible words. While commonly used, it fails to capture the full depth and range of what this book explores. Experts more accurately refer to it as non-verbal communication or, even more precisely, non-linguistic communication.

Your body is an instrument that resonates with signals from both your conscious and subconscious mind. Through gestures, posture, facial expressions, movements, and tone of voice, it reveals your attitudes, desires, and innermost emotions. Though interpreting these signals may be challenging, it is essential for uncovering the truth, dispelling doubt, and deepening human understanding. Body language and non-linguistic cues form a double-edged sword of communication, often more revealing than words themselves.

Body language is the supreme language of motion, tone, and vibration—a universal mode of communication practiced and understood by all living beings. It speaks the truth without uttering a word. By learning to read these signals—and by using your own body consciously—you can turn this silent language into a powerful advantage.

Consider the common belief that crossing one’s arms is negative. While it’s often seen as defensive or resistant, it serves a positive function in the right context. A perceptive and emotionally attuned schoolteacher, recognizing the restlessness and anxiety in a noisy classroom, might ask the students to sit quietly with their hands and legs crossed for just a few minutes. This mindful posture can have a profound effect, anchoring the body, quieting the mind, and bringing about a sense of collective calm.

In those few minutes of intentional stillness, the chaotic energy of the room often settles, much like the gentle hush that follows a passing storm, allowing both teacher and students to reset and refocus.

Isn’t it curious that, despite all our scientific advances and space exploration, we’ve devoted so little attention to studying the silent language of our own bodies? Do you understand how modern life and technological advancements are altering our non-linguistic communication—the gestures, postures, and micro-expressions that define so much of our human interaction?

Equally crucial is our ability to detect deceit. In an age flooded with fraud, manipulation, and scams, are we sharpening our senses to identify the subtle signs of deception? Crafty deceivers and pathological liars operate in every corner of society. Many of them blend in seamlessly, manipulating trust and preying on the unsuspecting.

This disturbing reality only reinforces the urgency of equipping ourselves—and others—with the tools to detect deceit. By learning to read a fleeting micro expression, notice a subtle shift in tone, or sense a slight change in posture, we can better protect ourselves from manipulation. In a world where truth is often disguised and deception runs rampant, the ability to detect a lie and a scam isn’t just useful—it’s essential.

It is my sincere hope that this book serves as a guiding light for readers, equipping them with the knowledge, awareness, and practical tools needed to recognize, resist, and ultimately protect themselves from the insidious wave of deceptive scams that have increasingly infiltrated our daily lives.

Finally, this second edition—updated, refined, and enriched—was inspired by a powerful moment that brought international recognition to my work. In mid-November 2024, I mailed the first edition of A To Z About Body Language to the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.

What makes this moment special is that I wrote the book in 2021, after his controversial loss in the second run. At a time when many had counted him out, I saw something different — a man whose body language still radiated confidence, power, and the will to lead. I didn’t write it when he was in power, but when he wasn’t — and that, to me, said more about truth and belief than timing ever could.

I waited until his return to the presidency before sending him the book, as a gesture of recognition and respect. After his remarkable return to office on his third attempt, I wrote to congratulate him, not simply as a political figure, but as someone whose nonverbal communication had long captured my professional attention. With that letter, I sent him a copy of my book.

Several weeks later, in January 2025, I received an elegant and formal thank-you card from his office. The card personally acknowledged my book and expressed appreciation for the gift.

Figure A. Thank-you card from President Donald J. Trump.

This thank-you card from President Donald J. Trump is more than just a kind gesture — it marks a deeply meaningful moment in my journey as a body language expert. His leadership, particularly his strategic use of tone, posture, gestures, and overall body language in public engagements, reinforced a truth I’ve long observed: even in silence, the body often speaks before history does.

Receiving this gesture of recognition from such a globally prominent and influential leader was deeply moving. President Trump’s acknowledgment not only affirmed the relevance of my research but also inspired me to expand this second edition with deeper insights and stronger relevance to today’s challenges. For that thoughtful gesture, I remain sincerely grateful.

I hope you enjoy the journey within these pages as much as I enjoyed bringing it to life.

Jackson Yogarajah

​PART 1 : THE POWER OF BODY LANGUAGE

​CHAPTER 1 - BODY LANGUAGE THROUGH THE AGES

The world understands more of your body language than it does your mother tongue. — Jackson Yogarajah

For most of human history, we have communicated more through gestures, expressions, and posture than with spoken or written words. Yet, despite its significance, the serious scientific study of body language only began about 50 years ago, thanks to our great British and American social psychologists and anthropologists who delved into the behaviors of both humans and animals.

The evolution of this field would not have been possible without the pioneers of Kinesics and Proxemics—the two fundamental branches of nonverbal communication. Kinesics examines body movements and gestures, while Proxemics studies personal space and its impact on social interactions.

Among the pioneers of Kinesics was Ray L. Birdwhistell, whose book Introduction to Kinesics (1952) laid the groundwork for understanding human gestures. Others who contributed significantly include Albert E. Scheflen, Edward H. Hess, Paul Ekman, and Friesen & Wallbott, all of whom introduced key concepts that shaped research in body language.

Proxemics, by contrast, owes its roots to Edward T. Hall, who coined the term in 1963, and Robert Sommer, who introduced personal space in 1969 (Hall, 1963; Sommer, 1969). They showed us how distance and space shape our interactions—something we often overlook in everyday life.

Why did body language studies take so long to develop? The answer is simple: technology. Until the rise of the movie industry, video recordings, and other technical advancements, the study of nonverbal behavior was largely based on observation, without solid documentation. Once we had the means to record, slow down, and analyze human interactions in detail, body language studies gained momentum.

A Who’s Who of Influential Body Language Thinkers

Today, numerous famous authors have brought us an understanding of body language through their works, books, research materials, ideas, and terminologies. Michael Argyle, Desmond Morris, Paul Ekman, Albert Mehrabian, Julius Fast, Ralph Exline, Susan Quilliam, Mark Asher, Allan Pease, Gerard Nierenberg, Peter A. Andersen, & Henry H. Calero, and many more noted doctorates in social psychology in the field of body language have shown us that these signals play an essential part and function more intricately than we thought possible before. My apologies for those distinguished names not being mentioned.

Michael Argyle was my favorite social psychologist and the one who first sparked my deep interest in body language. His pioneering work profoundly transformed my understanding of interpersonal communication. Argyle’s research into non-verbal communication, social skills, and particularly his concept of the six functions of non-verbal communication continues to be highly influential. It was his groundbreaking book, Bodily Communication (1975), that ignited my passion for the study of body language and its vital role in human interaction. He also explored how non-verbal cues like facial expressions, posture, gestures, and eye contact play crucial roles in regulating interactions, expressing emotions, and complementing verbal messages—core principles that align closely with body language and deception detection.

Desmond Morris, a zoologist, highlighted how human behavior mirrors that of animals in his work The Naked Ape. Paul Ekman, the father of micro-expressions, revolutionized our understanding of how subtle facial movements reveal true emotions. Albert Mehrabian, a psychologist, introduced the famous (though often misinterpreted) theory that 93% of communication is nonverbal. Alongside them, experts like Allan Pease, Julius Fast, Ralph Exline, Susan Quilliam, and many others have contributed significantly to deepening our knowledge of nonverbal communication.

In 1967, Oxford hosted the first-ever international conference on nonverbal communication, led by Michael Argyle and Ralph Exline. That same year, Argyle published Psychology of Interpersonal Behavior, later used in many courses, especially social psychology.

First came The Naked Ape (1967), followed by Man Watching (1977), and a revised version titled People Watching in 2002. All three books are written by Zoologist Dr. Desmond Morris, whose study of animal behavior brought us more to the realization that humans communicate bodily similarly to animals. You must accept that there are so many details and intricacies involved in human communication. There are also detailed explanations for both individual behavior and social interactions.

Is Nonverbal Communication 93% of Communication?

One of the most frequently cited statistics in body language studies comes from Albert Mehrabian’s 1972 research, which suggests that just 7% of communication is conveyed through words, 38% through vocal tone, and 55% through body language—including posture, facial expressions, breathing patterns, and more.

But here’s the catch—Mehrabian’s findings apply strictly to emotional communication, not all communication. Body language indeed dominates how we express emotions. However, other studies suggest nonverbal cues influence over 80% of communication overall.

Picture this: a comedian calls you a bloody fool while grinning ear to ear. You don’t get offended—you laugh. Their voice, face, and body tell you it’s all in fun.

Figure 1. Your body language is the most powerful form of communication

The Final Gesture: The Unspoken Message of Life and Death

This book is not intended to and will not make the reader dominate others’ privacy or their secret thoughts, but primarily to provide you with the information and encouragement to help you better understand yourself and others. The Talmud asks a timeless question: Why are we born into the world with clenched fists and leave it with outstretched fingers? (Chevlen, 1998; Lawson, Graham & Baker, 2016).

At birth, our tiny fists are tightly closed—symbols of our instinct to grasp, to hold, to seize life’s offerings. We arrive determined to make our mark, to shape our destiny, to fight for meaning. Yet, those clenched fists also conceal something deeper: we bring into this world a gift, a purpose, something uniquely ours to offer. What that is, only time will reveal.

Oh, how quickly life is gone! So, none should delay; whatever good you can do, do it now, for the time you have may be your last. Never wait, never fail, for soon you will leave this world with your fingers stretched. Fingers stretched in death—the final body language gesture, signaling that your potential and everything else in life has been surrendered, gone with the breeze. Goodbye!

In a class not long ago, I said even a dead person communicates through body language, and the class laughed in skepticism. Sure enough, after they laughed, I responded, Certainly, the dead can communicate through body language. The class became silent, and after a pause, I said, When you die, your lifeless body communicates, through body language or non-linguistic cues, telling the world that you are dead!

The Greatest Communicator of All Time: Body Language

Despite the lack of a universal dictionary for body language, it remains the most powerful form of human expression. It speaks louder, lasts longer, and conveys messages beyond words. Even the dead communicate through body language—silently informing the world that their life has ended. Many professionals—whether in law enforcement, business, or everyday life—are body language illiterate. This is why body language should be an essential skill taught in schools, shaping the way future generations communicate and connect.

Communication competence strongly distinguishes star performers from average or poor ones. The lack of this competence often brings down morale to negative levels, not only affecting the individual but, sadly, the entire organization as well. Body language and some other important aspects of this subject, tapping into gamma brainwave states through physical movement, should be seriously taught in schools in the years to come.

The FBI’s Costly Mistake in Deception Detection Training

Before concluding, let me expose a shocking revelation: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), despite its elite status and a $9 billion annual budget, was incorrectly training its agents in body language for years.

In May 2009, retired FBI agent Joe Navarro, a recognized behavioral expert, admitted in an interview with Angie Moreschi from the Consumer Warning Network that FBI agents had been misled in their deception detection training.

For years, people were taught that liars avoid eye contact while honest individuals maintain a steady gaze. But this belief was dangerously flawed. Skilled deceivers often do the exact opposite—they overcompensate by holding intense eye contact, trying too hard to appear sincere and trustworthy.

The irony? By the time the FBI caught on to this mistake, I had already been teaching law enforcement officers the correct science of deception detection since 2002, beginning with the Royal Malaysia Police Force. I have also been training insurance agents at Great Eastern Life since 1995, and writing accurately about deception detection and body language for the New Straits Times in Malaysia. If you look at my archived articles, you’ll see that my first piece was published as early as July 24, 1996, marking the start of a weekly column in the New Straits Times Appointment Pages. Long before the FBI revised their methods, I was sharing the real techniques through my books, articles, and training seminars.

Still skeptical? Just flip to page 397 of my book, Why Sharifah Aini Was NOT Lying (published in 2004). There, I break down how deceptive individuals manipulate eye contact—not by darting their eyes nervously, but by using deliberate, calculated intensity.

So, the pressing question remains: How did an organization with billions of dollars at its disposal get something as fundamental as deception detection so wrong? The answer is simple—they lacked the right knowledge and expertise long before modern behavioral science finally caught up.

A Commitment to Accuracy: Why This Book Matters

Originally, I intended to title this book A to Z About Nonlinguistic Communication—a term far more accurate than body language. I wanted to show my commitment to accuracy, acknowledging that communication goes beyond spoken or written words. However, I quickly realized that the phrase might be unfamiliar or intimidating to many readers. I wanted this book to be immediately accessible to anyone interested in understanding human behavior.

Make no mistake, though—body language isn’t a ‘language’ in the strict linguistic sense. It’s a powerful, nonverbal form of communication that shapes every interaction, decision, and relationship in our lives.

It’s time we stop underestimating the silent messages we send and start mastering the most powerful communicator of all time—body language.

​CHAPTER 2 - BODY TALK: THE WORLD’S COMMON LANGUAGE

Thirst is a language even the grass understands. - Marty Rubin

All of us tend to place great importance on words, whether spoken or written. Yet, when it comes to actual communication, much of it happens non-verbally, through body language. Day in and day out, we rely heavily on how we carry ourselves, gesture, move, and express emotions physically, even more than the words we utter.

Scientists generally agree that behaviors, such as facial expressions (including micro-expressions), physical gestures, posture shifts, autonomic nervous system responses, deceptive cues, and even patterns of breathing, form a universal set of signals, offering valuable information across human interactions, transcending cultural and linguistic boundaries.

Research has long indicated that specific bodily actions and facial expressions deliver similar emotional messages across different contexts. Even the tiniest movements, when closely examined, convey a surprising amount of information about emotional states. This supports the notion that body language is, to a large extent, universal.

However, one might still wonder: Are these emotional signals shaped by culture, or are they inherent to all humans regardless of background? Beyond the well-known studies conducted by Paul Ekman, who demonstrated the universality of facial expressions even among remote tribes, more recent research adds weight to this idea.

Thalia Wheatley and her team of researchers conducted cross-cultural studies, traveling to Cambodia to observe isolated, indigenous communities with minimal contact with the outside world. Their findings, published in an article in the journal Emotion, suggest a strong case for the universality of body language and emotional signals, despite a few methodological limitations.

These studies imply that certain physical expressions of emotion reflect core human needs and experiences shared by all, regardless of cultural upbringing. They reinforce the idea that by deepening our understanding of our basic biology, along with the social influences that shape how we express ourselves, we not only learn more about ourselves but also recognize our common humanity. It becomes clearer that we come from the same source, the same Creator, the same forefathers. This realization opens the door to a better understanding of others.

Furthermore, when we tap into this deeper, shared connection, we begin to understand that there is something greater within us—a divine spark, the God within us, a super-consciousness, an innate intelligence. This is the same intelligence that has been known to bring about extraordinary healing, often defying what modern medical science can currently explain.

In his book Becoming Supernatural, Dr. Joe Dispenza speaks of how ordinary people are achieving the extraordinary by tapping into the inner intelligence inside all of us. He describes how this super-consciousness within us is capable of healing, transformation, and breakthroughs that medical science is only beginning to explore. Our outward expressions—our gestures, attitudes, and emotional signals—are not random. They are deeply rooted in these higher, moral, and superconscious values.

Unfortunately, over time, many of these attitudes and gestures have become diluted, misunderstood, or dismissed altogether. Through cultural mixing, confusion, negativity, and neglect, their significance has often been lost. But by revaluing and reconnecting with these inherent expressions, we reconnect with the higher intelligence within ourselves, a force capable of reshaping our lives and the world around us (Dispenza, 2017).

Universal Facial Expressions

One of the most significant contributions that the basic sciences have made to our understanding of emotion centers on the universality of facial expressions. It was Charles Darwin, in 1872, who first suggested that facial expressions were universal. His ideas on emotions aligned with his broader theory of evolution, proposing that emotions and their expressions are biologically innate and evolutionary in nature (Darwin, 1872).

However, modern science has begun to question Darwin’s evolutionary framework. Many researchers now believe that while some aspects of his theory hold merit, it is not entirely accurate in its totality. This book, however, focuses solely on body language communication—it is neither a religious text, a scientific treatise, nor a biological discourse. For that reason, I will refrain from delving into the broader and often controversial subject of evolution.

When Darwin’s views were initially explored and tested, they failed to convince many within the academic community. The belief in psychology at that time was that facial expressions, much like spoken language, were culturally specific. Each culture, it was thought, possessed its distinct language of facial expressions, shaped by societal norms and behavior.

It wasn’t until much later that Darwin’s claims regained traction. Psychologist Silvan Tomkins played a pivotal role in reviving Darwin’s ideas by suggesting that emotion forms the foundation of human motivation and that facial expressions are central to emotional communication. Tomkins conducted early revisions and experiments, which pointed to a reliable connection between facial expressions and emotional states.

Recognizing the need for broader evidence, Tomkins collaborated with researchers Paul Ekman and Carroll Izard to embark on what later became known as the universality studies. These landmark studies revealed a striking degree of cross-cultural agreement in identifying emotions based solely on facial expressions, both in literate, industrialized societies and in remote, preliterate communities (Ekman, 1973; Izard, 1971).

Further validation came from Wallace Friesen’s research, which demonstrated that members of vastly different cultures exhibited the same facial expressions when responding unconsciously to emotion-eliciting stimuli, such as films (Friesen, 1972). This confirmed that certain emotional expressions are biologically hardwired, rather than culturally learned.

Today, it is widely accepted within the scientific community that the human face is remarkably expressive. We can convey an entire spectrum of emotions without uttering a single word. Research has consistently supported the existence of seven universally recognized emotions, each associated with its own distinct facial expression: Anger, Contempt, Disgust, Surprise, Happiness, Sadness, and Fear.

It is crucial to highlight a particularly relevant discovery for those involved in security awareness training. Dr. Paul Ekman, whose contributions to the study of facial expressions are unparalleled, has identified a specific facial expression pattern he terms the assassin’s gaze. Through the analysis of recorded videos of three real-life assassins, Ekman observed striking similarities in their facial behavior immediately before an attack.

What he found was not a face of uncontrolled rage, but one of controlled, focused determination. The expression included lowered brows, slightly raised upper eyelids, eyes tense but steady, and lips pressed together—not in explosive anger, but in a calculated, composed readiness to act violently. This controlled anger face serves as a powerful cue for trained observers, highlighting the importance of understanding subtle facial signals that precede acts of aggression.

With Dr. Paul Ekman’s groundbreaking insights, he has extended his work on reading facial expressions to a vital area of public safety—predicting who in a crowd might pose a potential threat. Specifically, Ekman has highlighted how trained observers, such as bodyguards and secret service agents, can use facial cues to detect individuals who may be bent on assassination or intent on harming others.

It’s important to note, as Ekman emphasizes, that a facial expression alone does not definitively confirm a person’s intent. However, equipping security personnel with the ability to spot dangerous demeanor—what Ekman refers to as the assassin’s gaze—significantly enhances their ability to preemptively identify and mitigate potential threats. By scanning for subtle facial signals and threatening body language in a crowd, they can take preventive actions.

One of Ekman’s key recommendations in such hostile-looking situations is straightforward but highly effective: those who recognize these facial indicators should approach the individual, block their line of sight, or engage them in conversation. This simple interaction can disrupt their focus, allow for a better assessment of their intentions, and, importantly, reduce the risk of violent actions.

What makes Ekman’s observation even more compelling is that the assassin’s gaze is non-culture-specific. Assassins recorded on video before their attacks displayed similar facial patterns, regardless of their cultural background or geographic location. This universality reinforces the critical importance of learning to recognize such facial expressions.

Therefore, training in facial expression recognition should not be reserved solely for elite security services. It has practical applications for the general public as well. Ordinary citizens, once educated on the link between emotions and facial expressions, can become more aware and proactive in preventing violence or criminal acts.

Such knowledge empowers individuals to identify early warning signs and take simple actions—whether by alerting authorities, creating distance, or de-escalating a situation.

Additionally, learning about facial expressions can enhance personal communication skills. By understanding these nonverbal cues, individuals can reflect on their own facial habits—whether it’s improving eye contact, avoiding an overly serious demeanor, or becoming more culturally aware of different facial behaviors. This self-awareness leads to more effective, empathetic interactions in both personal and professional settings.

Anger

While anger is often viewed negatively, a deeper examination reveals that it is not inherently harmful. In fact, anger can serve a constructive purpose by providing a natural outlet for expressing dissatisfaction, frustration, or emotional hurt. It provides a natural outlet for expressing dissatisfaction, frustration, or emotional hurt. In some cases, it even acts as a catalyst, motivating individuals to address pressing issues or stand up against injustices.

However, it is crucial to manage anger carefully. Uncontrolled or excessive anger—especially when harbored over long periods—can have damaging consequences. Recent leading medical research has highlighted links between chronic, unresolved anger and serious health conditions, including the potential risk of diseases like cancer.

Understanding these signs not only equips individuals to recognize anger in others but also helps in monitoring their own emotional displays, promoting healthier, more constructive communication.

Contempt

Contempt is a strong emotion that conveys the belief that something is beneath one’s consideration or respect. It reflects a sense of superiority, often showing disregard for something that should ordinarily deserve attention, concern, or esteem.

Disgust

Disgust is an emotion of strong revulsion or displeasure triggered by something offensive, distasteful, or unpleasant. It is a visceral reaction, and the facial cues are often involuntary.

Surprise

Life often catches us off guard with unexpected events. The emotion of surprise, though brief, is powerful and distinct. Interestingly, surprise is easy to fake, and its facial markers can sometimes resemble those of fear.

Happiness

Happiness is universally appreciated—everyone loves a smiling face. After all, happiness is the essence of life. The expression of genuine happiness is contagious and uplifting, brightening the atmosphere around us.

Sadness

Sadness manifests in multiple facial expressions. Drooping mouth corners and a furrowed brow, all contribute to a sorrowful appearance. But the eyes are still powerful indicators that can reveal deep emotional pain.

Fear

Fear and surprise are often confused due to their similar facial characteristics, but fear is typically linked to an anticipated threat or danger. The physiological response is heightened alertness, preparing the individual to either fight, flee, or freeze.

Assassin’s Gaze

This assassin’s gaze is a fascinating and chilling insight into nonverbal cues preceding violent actions. Dr. Paul Ekman’s research into micro-expressions suggests that fleeting facial expressions can reveal concealed emotions, even when a person tries to mask their intent.

The assassin’s gaze involves a fixed, predatory stare, tightened facial muscles, and an absence of typical social engagement—signs of hyper-focus and determination.

Security personnel—and anyone, for that matter—should learn to recognize this gaze and intervene, as it is crucial. Disrupting a potential assassin’s psychological state, even momentarily, could be the difference between action and hesitation.

Security professionals and law enforcement officers are trained to detect such cues and use de-escalation tactics to prevent an attack.

Research, largely credited to Dr. Paul Ekman’s pioneering work, suggests that certain facial expressions appear consistently in individuals’ moments before they commit an assassination. What is remarkable is the apparent universality of these facial cues—they transcend cultural and geographical boundaries.

If you observe this expression, immediate action is advisable: block the individual’s line of sight, engage them, or alert security personnel. Intervention, even as simple as making eye contact or initiating a conversation, can disrupt their focus and possibly thwart the intended act.

Dr. Ekman emphasizes that noticing such a facial expression should prompt proactive steps to prevent possible harm. The inclusion of this expression in popular culture, such as in the TV series Lie to Me, underscores its significance and applicability in real-world security scenarios.

If you observe the expressions of these three real-life perpetrators prior to the assassination (Figure 9), you will see common elements.

Controlled face of anger

Brows lowered

Upper eyelid raised

Eyes slightly tensed

Lips are slightly pressed

Figure 9. Characteristic look of a real-life assassin’s gaze: Dr. Paul Ekman says, if you see this facial expression, do something. (Image courtesy Paul Ekman, Source: Lie To Me Series, 2009)

Universal Open Palms

The open palms gesture is one of the most powerful and universally recognized signals of peace, honesty, and goodwill. Across cultures and continents, open palms convey the same essential message: I have nothing to hide; I come in peace.

Historically, it symbolized hands free of weapons, showing sincerity, trust, and a willingness to connect without threat or harm. Whether greeting someone, offering something, or emphasizing truthfulness, the open palm remains an enduring symbol of transparency and integrity.

Figure 10. A universal gesture of peace, greeting & ‘honesty’.

Universal Body Language

Body language is the most primitive and authentic form of communication—a testament to the human condition, reflective of both our imperfections and our higher aspirations.

It reveals us as beings caught between two realms: imperfect and earthly, yet yearning for something angelic, something transcendent.

Man’s quest for perfection can be likened to chasing a butterfly: the more fervently we pursue it, the more elusive it becomes. But when we pause, sit still, and reflect inwardly, perfection may come to us naturally—gracing us like a butterfly gently alighting on our shoulder, the unexpected reward of superconscious awareness.

Figure 11. Chimps are incapable of any form of human language, unlike the brainpower (neocortex) of a child who has been genetically programmed to develop languages. (Image courtesy of Norman Milwood & Pixel Mixer)

Consider our closest genetic relatives, the chimpanzees. Despite sharing 92% of our DNA, they lack one critical component: the neocortex—the brain structure that enables humans to reason, reflect, and, most importantly, develop complex language systems. Like us, they gesture, touch, and scratch their heads when faced with challenges (Figure 12).

They form emotional bonds with their offspring, experience worry, and show affection. But no matter how closely they resemble us, they cannot evolve into humans. The neocortex is the divine differentiator.

Interestingly, while religious texts are not manuals on body language, those who read them with discernment will notice abundant references to gestures, postures, and expressions. These ancient writings, beyond their spiritual teachings, are filled with insights into human behavior—truth, deception, emotional states, and relational dynamics—embedded in descriptions of body language consistent across cultures and time.

Figure 12. Primates may touch, think & scratch their head when facing a problem, just like we humans do. (Images courtesy of Pexels & Jan Vašek)

Since we are part of creation, our internal striving for congruency with our conscious thoughts and subconscious mind is always present. Since your body is the largest and most powerful part of your subconscious mind, it strives to be perfect—and that is not an illusory dream. Scientists are proving that our genes can achieve longevity and even immortality.

Consequently, paying attention to the present and the super values found in all the past-inspired writings—and letting them govern your life—will add meaning and give personal body language and universal spiritual power to your life.

Meanwhile, through ancient writings, creation has taught us to benefit ourselves and to meet others’ needs elegantly, thus showing us how to tread in the way (body language) we should walk.

Below are interpretations of many worldwide gestures that are widespread as we move around the world. Some gestures are universal and make us feel somewhat at home even when we are on the other side of the world.

A smile is a smile all over the world. A frown is a frown, a stare is a stare, and a shaking, upset fist says a lot about the owner’s mood. Yes, we all laugh, but in some parts of the world, laughing out loud is considered rude.

It’s the quality of being true and appropriate for all situations—like the universality of the basic laws of mathematics.

Body language communication on the surface—like a few attitudes, gestures, postures, and proximities of the world today—may seem quite thought-provoking to understand.

Yet if we shed things that are simple accompaniments, and if we eliminate the distinctiveness that results from climate, language, culture, technology, native circumstances, environment, and other factors, it is incredible how universal body language is, and how all people of the world share it.

Body language is beyond culture, and it is universal—like the universal values of lasting peace and honest work. The bronze statue at the United Nations, presented by the Soviet Union and placed in New York City, depicts a man beating a sword into a plowshare (Figure 13) (Soviet Statue at the United Nations, 2019).

Figure 13. A universal symbol for lovers of peace, based on scriptural prophecy, Nations will have to beat their swords into plowshares & their spears into pruning shears. They will not lift up their sword; neither will they learn war anymore. - Isaiah 2:4 (AI-Generated)

It is based on the ancient prophecies of Isaiah Chapter 2 verse 4, and Micah Chapter 4 verse 3, which say: The mighty nations will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nations will not lift up sword against nations; neither will they learn war anymore.

It’s these supernatural beliefs that live in all of us—our desire for peace and a long-lasting life. It’s all inside our superconsciousness, our brains, and our body’s ability to attract and create it into reality—which, God willing, will soon come to pass.

Why is it a statue (Figure 13) of a naked man? Clothes can signify a national uniform or dress, but the search for lasting peace is universal. It transcends culture, race, religion, ethnicity, and language, and everybody wants peace—except some extremists, of course.

It is the universal body language symbol of peace. The universal man beats his sword into a plowshare (Figure 13) and his spear into a pruning shear, meaning he will not lift a sword against his neighbor anymore; nor will he learn to fight or go to war anymore.

Overcoming the universal negative value of competition should be encouraged, as competition often springs from the survival instinct of those wishing to exalt themselves over the weak.

Hollywood likes to portray Roman gladiatorial contests as brutal, unruly duels that always end with one of the fighters killing the other. But in truth, the fighters didn’t always fight to the death. These ancient Roman contestants were highly trained professionals who competed for a living—fighting to survive, rather than to die (Staff, 2013).

Submission

Our body language originates from our fundamental belief that we were created by a supernatural being for love, peace, tranquility, and the like. When the body kneels down and the head is lowered to touch the ground, the man shows us his way to God by submission.

In earlier times, before prophetic teachings came to man, man showed this submission in greeting other dominant figures.

Called the submission ritual of the powerless, it’s the subservient body language of lowering, kneeling, cowering, prostrating, bowing, or bending oneself either in front of another human or in submission to a supernatural being (Figure 14).

Figure 14. Body kneeling & head lowered touching the ground, the Muslim way to God by submission, a subservient body language of submission to the supernatural being. (Image courtesy of Timur Weber)

Prayer

An impressive gesture in prayer posture is when the palms are pressed together, fingers pointing upwards, and held in front of the body towards the master or higher being (Figure 15).

Its origin was from a locked-up person or captive whose bound hands were seen supplicating to his master. It’s practiced by the devout and faithful in prayer, symbolizing their offering of themselves as God’s slaves.

Today, this prayer gesture is widely used by people attending worship across the world, having substituted the earlier prayer posture of raised arms — where the petitioner would reach up towards the heavens with both hands raised high, palms facing upwards, and head tilted back, pleading with the grand creator for approval.

Rightly, science has now proven through the electroencephalogram (EEG), a test used to evaluate the electrical activity in the brain, that palms pressed together to cause a calming effect due to the synchronization