Chapter 12 - Right Speech Flashcards
define:
Right Speech
5
- changing habits so speech arises from wholesome and not unresolved or unwholesome seeds
- one part of consciousness plays editor
- requires deep listening
- whether we say something kind or hasty, we hear what we are saying
- awareness of how words and thoughts can kill
How is Right Speech based on Right Thinking?
2
- speech is the way for our thinking to express itself out loud
- when blocks of suffering are in us, they may manifest as speech (or actions) without going through the medium of thought
How is Right Speech based on Right Mindfulness?
2
- we know where our words come from!
- when thoughts leave mind in form of speech, we know what we are saying and whether it is useful or creating problems
Which of the Five Mindfulness Trainings describes Right Speech well?
4th MT - Deep Listening and Loving Speech
enumerate:
4 Classic Explanations of Right Speech
- speaking truthfully
- not speaking with forked tongue
- not speaking cruelly
- not exaggerating or embellishing
speaking truthfully
1st expl. Rt Speech
- if it’s green, we say it’s green and not purple
not speaking with forked tongue
2nd expl. Rt Speech
2
- means to say one thing to one person and another thing to another
- we can of course describe the truth in different ways to help different listeners while remaining loyal to it
not speaking cruelly
3rd expl. Rt Speech
3
- not shout, slander, curse, encourage suffering, create hatred
- poisonous speech is caused by habit energies
- knowing words are powerful - they can give complexes, take away one’s life purpose, drive one to suicide
not exaggerating or embellishing
4th expl. Rt Speech
2
- not dramatising unnecessarily
- not make things sound better, worse, more extreme than the reality
ex: if someone is slightly irritated, we don’t say they are “furious”
define:
Deep Listening
6
- in order to relieve suffering
- aware of mental formations as they arise
- compassionate
- without judgement or criticism
- can offer relief immediately
- foundation of Rt Speech
“a compassionless person can never be happy”
define:
Thundering Silence
3
- when silence is the truth
- listening with mind silent to allow many things to speak to us
ex: birdsong - mindfulness of speech sometimes is in fact silence
Should we open our mouths to speak when we can’t use calm and loving speech?
- No
NB: this does take practice
How is it not always Right Speech to tell the truth?
3
- if our way of speaking causes unnecessary suffering
- truth must be presented in ways others can accept
- words that damage/destroy are not Right Speech
What can Boddhisattva Wondrous Sound
inspire us to do?
2
- open up communication and aid transformations
NB: determination and skilfulness needed - speak to individuals in their own “language”
Why should we sometimes postpone listening when we find it difficult?
- if you are not in good shape, you are not going to listen in the best way you can
