Right & Wise Speech

From Rik Center:

Right & Wise Speech.

Right/Wise Speech is part of Sila (a Pali term), a pointing toward moral and ethical conduct. Which asks of us to see why we say what we do, so we can choose more wisely what we do say. Without the pause of inner awareness our words can cause great harm.

There are 5 aspects to look at around Right/Wise Speech:

Are the words we are about to speak…

1. Truthful/Honest

2. Kind

3. Useful

4. Timely

5. Of Concord

**Do our words create a positive connection for mutual learning and support or a separation caused by the ego of fear and unresolved hurts?

We must include and consider these 5 aspects in today’s world. What happens when fear, anger and ego self-righteousness kicks-in?

We all have shadows places or blind spots so if and when they become recognized these areas become our teachers and guides, not enemies.

From Gil Fronsdal’s Book ‘The Monastery Within’: The Abbess points directly underneath to what often is most difficult to face. The Abbess taught… “If you want to discover what you don’t know about yourself, investigate why you say what you say.”