A personal blog by a graying (mostly Anglo with light African-American roots) gay left leaning liberal progressive married college-educated Buddhist Baha'i BBC/NPR-listening Professor Emeritus now following the Dharma in Minas Gerais, Brasil.
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Harsh Speech
Harsh speech is unhealthy.
Refraining from harsh speech is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning harsh speech,
one refrains from harsh speech. One speaks words that are gentle,
pleasing to the ear, and affectionate, words that go to the heart, are
courteous, and are agreeable to many. (DN 1) One practices thus: "Others
may speak harshly, but I shall abstain from harsh speech." (MN 8)
When one says: "All those engaged in the pursuit of the enjoyment of
sensual pleasures have entered the wrong way," one thus disparages some.
But when one says instead, "The pursuit of the enjoyment of sensual
pleasures is a state beset by suffering, and it is the wrong way," then
one is not disparaging anyone but simply stating the truth. (MN 139)
Reflection
Right speech
does not mean always telling people what they want to hear. Often
difficult truths need to be spoken, but there are skillful and
unskillful ways of doing this. In this passage we are instructed on the
implications of invoking the sense of self. Instead of disparaging
others by using an agent noun ("They are such a liar"), simply speak the
truth by pointing out their actions (“They have told a lie”) rather
than rebuking the self.
Daily Practice
Practice
critiquing the words or actions of a person rather than the person.
Instead of calling a person rude, point out the rude thing they have
said or done. It is a small but important distinction. Whenever people
feel attacked, it brings out the tendency to counterattack. When their
actions are called out instead, it leaves them room to change their
behavior.
Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Mental Action One week from today: Refraining from Frivolous Speech
Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel
No comments:
Post a Comment