[This talk was for a MindfulAware class on election day Nov 8 2022]
We are continuing on our journey through the “Noble Eightfold Path”. This morning I’m going to talk a bit about Right Speech, and then we’ll do a guided meditation.
The Noble Eightfold Path: Context for Right Speech
But first a quick review. The Eightfold Path, which is one of the Buddha’s earliest recorded teachings, starts with Right View. In essence, Right View means seeing things as they are. Seeing the truth of the situation. Being fully present to the entire experience of life. When we are fully connected, when we aren’t holding ourselves back or confused by our ignorance, we merge into life, into experience, in a way that feels deep and true.
The light on the trees looks different. The wind on the hairs of our arms feels… more. It’s not a different light, it’s not a different wind. But every once in a while, the clouds in our perception drop away and we perceive our world clearly. Have you ever reunited with an old friend and just looked at them, their face, the wrinkles around their eyes, just taken them in again after being apart?
Right View is the understanding, the experience, even, at times, the faith, that we are fundamentally connected. We are not actually, or not only, separate, warring beings fighting each other for scraps of food. Our ignorance and our confusion is not permanent or even real.
The next three steps on the Noble Eightfold Path, in fact most of Buddhist philosophy, is built on Right View. Last time we talked about Right Thought, and next we'll discuss Right Action, but with this context I want to say a few words about Right Speech.
The Traditional Guidelines for Right Speech
In the traditional teachings there are some lowest common denominator guidelines for speech: Don’t lie, don’t gossip, don’t be rude.
Those are good starting points but this topic is much deeper and more important.
Right Speech from Deep Clarity and Connection
How would we talk with each other if we were totally clear? What would you say, and how would you say it, if you felt deeply connected to the person you were talking with? If you saw them for who they actually are, with their sufferings, their challenges, their strengths, their quirks, all of it? The totality of the person you were speaking with? And if you were speaking from your strength, your confidence, your clarity, your love and appreciation but mostly your deep sense of truth - what words would you choose? What tone of voice would you use? How much space would you leave? How would you listen to the other person?
How much could you let their perspectives, their experience, into yours?
Your answers to all those questions manifest as your Right Speech.
In my experience, those moments of clarity and connectedness are rare. Although I’m making progress, my speech and my listening is often habitual and blind to the impact I’m having on the person I’m talking with.
I had my annual review at work yesterday and one of the development points my new boss brought up was just this… “You are in a different environment now. You have to be more mindful of how your words will impact your colleagues…” Ok! Good reminder! Thank you for encouraging Right Speech. I must have a good boss.
But when it works, when you speak clearly, from the heart, you can change the world. My boss also said “You are at your best when you are talking about something you love… you inspire the team when you speak that way.”
So this is a path. It’s a journey. We are learning with and practicing with each other. Let’s practice together, with a particular emphasis on speech, the speech center of our body. Let’s get clear about our life and learn to share our insights with the world.
[meditation on speech]
Today, as we talk, text, post, vote, vote, vote, please try to remember the importance of speech. It’s the main way that we communicate with each other, and the main channel through which we can change the world. Thank you.
[End recording]