Speech

Buddhism is primarily concerned with happiness for oneself and others, and usually, the initial way in which we interact, is with speech.

What makes good or bad speech? How does what we say affect other people? When we are talking, does our speech draw people together or separate them?

Good speech comes as a result of having the wisdom to know if what you are saying is for the benefit for yourself and others, or whether it damages yourself and others.

Damaging speech includes slander, harsh speech or gossip, but what makes people gossip? To some people, gossip is exciting, and brings about a sense of camaraderie and inclusiveness, but if you are unaware of its karmic impact, engaging in gossip actually moves you and others further away from the point of your lives ie happiness.

What about the words you use yourself? Are they received in way you intended? What is the motivation behind your words? Your own life state determines everything. The same words from two different life states will sound (and feel) completely different.

Our Buddhist practice not only gives us the ability to be mindful of these life states, but also provides the wherewithal to change it when we notice our life state is low.

Buddhist practice enables a higher sensitivity and awareness of yourself and others, and therefore you are more able to give right speech that is true, kind, appropriate and timely, or maybe just to listen – a healthy capacity to listen is a good foundation for speaking.

If you are motivated not only to practice Buddhism, but to put Buddhism into practice, this ‘Human Revolution’ increases your own capacity for compassion, wisdom, and within the sense of the French stem of the word courage ie ‘cour’, meaning ‘heart’, to encourage ie to give heart to others, and in these times, a warm, encouraging voice from a smiling face is more welcome than ever before.