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.
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Malicious Speech
Malicious speech is
unhealthy. Refraining from malicious speech is healthy. (MN 9)
Abandoning malicious speech, one refrains from malicious speech. One
does not repeat there what one has heard here to the detriment of these,
or repeat here what he has heard there to the detriment of those. One
unites those who are divided, is a promoter of friendships, and speaks
words that promote concord. (DN 1) One practices thus: “Others may speak
maliciously, but I shall abstain from malicious speech.” (MN 8)
Reflection
There is so
much malicious speech in the world these days, speech that is intended
to divide and promote discord. It is valuable to recognize what it is,
to be aware of it when it occurs, and to undertake a commitment to
refrain from speaking maliciously yourself. Let’s not contribute to the
problem but instead work actively in the other direction, not only
refraining from wrong speech but also promoting right speech.
Daily Practice
Even though
others may speak maliciously, make it an ongoing practice to be a person
who does not speak with malice. When the tendency comes up to return
like for like in your speech, catch that with mindfulness and decide on a
different course of action. Commit to being someone who speaks to unite
those who are divided and utters only words that foster concord.
Practice being a promoter of friendships with all you say.
Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Verbal Action One week from today: Refraining from Harsh Speech
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