Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Frivolous Speech

 



RIGHT SPEECH
Refraining from Frivolous Speech
Frivolous speech is unhealthy. Refraining from frivolous speech is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning frivolous speech, one refrains from frivolous speech. One speaks at the right time, speaks only what is fact, and speaks about what is good. One speaks what is worthy of being overheard, words that are reasonable, moderate, and beneficial. (DN 1) One practices thus: “Others may speak frivolously, but I shall abstain from frivolous speech.” (MN 8)

I assert and proclaim such a teaching that one does not quarrel with anyone in the world. (MN 18)
Reflection
It is entirely natural that people have differences of opinion. It is not entirely necessary that they quarrel about these by getting angry, abusive, or dismissive, or otherwise generating unhealthy and harmful emotions. It is enough to hold and express your own opinions and let others hold and express theirs. You can still encourage them to change their opinions but to do so in discussion and conversation rather than with quarreling. 

Daily Practice
See if you can imagine what sort of a teaching you might follow such that you would not be inclined to quarrel with anyone in the world. Do you have to take it personally when someone disagrees with you? Do you need to have other people change their opinions to align with yours? See what it feels like to acknowledge that others have different opinions than yours and to feel at ease with that, with no need to have them change.

Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Social Action
One week from today: Refraining from False Speech

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Via Daily Dharma: Inner Freedom

Inner Freedom

If we lack inner freedom, any intense sensory experience can generate strong attachments that entangle us. On the other hand, if we know how to perfectly maintain our inner freedom, we can experience all sensations within the pristine simplicity of the present moment, in a state of well-being that is free from grasping and expectation.

Matthieu Ricard, “Working with Desire”


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Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation // Words of Wisdom - August 30, 2023 💌



"The minute you get near human beings, you are always saying, 'You're too this,' or 'I'm too that.' The judging mind comes in. So I practice turning people into trees, which means appreciating them the way they are."

- Ram Dass -