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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Malicious Speech

 

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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) If anyone should speak in praise of something, you should not on that account be pleased, happy, or elated. To be pleased, happy, or elated would only be an impediment to you. If others speak in praise of something, you should acknowledge the truth of what is true. (DN 1)

Reflection This passage warns us of the dangers of praise and blame, and the importance of equanimity as a safeguard against them. Blaming people is one form malicious speech can take, but praising in certain ways can have the same effect. If you allow yourself to be angered by blame or flattered by praise, you lose your ability to see clearly and appraise objectively what is being said. Better to greet both with equanimity. Daily Practice Notice when you hear people speaking in praise of something and see if you can discern any hidden motive for doing so. If what they are saying is true, then you can acknowledge the truth of it. But if the praise is part of an underlying agenda of manipulating opinion in some way, then it is appropriate to be more careful. Practice maintaining equanimity and beware the influence of praise and blame. Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Verbal Action One week from today: Refraining from Harsh Speech Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation // Words of Wisdom - October 9, 2024 💌

"When my biological mother was dying back in a hospital in Boston in 1966, I would watch all the people come into her room. All of the doctors and relatives would say, 'You are looking better, you are doing well.' And then they would go out of the room and say, 'She won’t last a week.' I thought how bizarre it was that a human being could be going through one of the most profound transitions in their life, and have everyone they know, and love, and trust lying to them.

Can you hear the pain of that? No one could be straight with my mother because everyone was too frightened. Even the rabbi. Everyone. She and I talked about it and she said, 'What do you think death is?' And I said, 'I don’t know, Mother. But I look at you and you are my friend, and it looks like you are in a building that is burning down, but you are still here. I suspect when the building burns entirely, it will be gone, but you will still be here.' So my mother and I just met in that space.'

- Ram Dass -

 
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