RIGHT ACTION
Reflecting Upon Verbal Action
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However the seed is
planted, in that way the fruit is gathered. Good things come from doing
good deeds, bad things come from doing bad deeds. (SN 11.10) What is the
purpose of a mirror? For the purpose of reflection. So too verbal
action is to be done with repeated reflection: (MN 61)
When you are doing an action with speech, reflect upon that same verbal
action thus: “Does this action I am doing with speech lead to both my
own affliction and the affliction of another?” If, upon reflection, you
know that it does, then stop doing it; if you know that it does not,
then continue. (MN 61)
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Human speech is
actually a complex and remarkable phenomenon. There are many ways in
which we are monitoring our own speech as we utter it, if only to know
how to end the sentence we have started. We can make use of this power
of self-observation to improve the ethical quality of our verbal
behavior. It is largely a matter of becoming more conscious of what we
are accustomed to doing automatically.
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You can be
aware of what you are saying before, during, and after saying it. Here
the emphasis is on active mindfulness of speech—awareness of what you
are saying in the present moment. It can be helpful to speak somewhat
more slowly, to allow yourself time and space to both create and monitor
your words. Perhaps a synonym for mindfulness in this context would be
thoughtfulness. Practice speaking thoughtfully.
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Tomorrow: AAbstaining from Taking What is Not Given
One week from today: Reflecting upon Mental Action
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