I've been a Buddhist for 25 years and studied with some inspiring teachers. I took my vows and still see Yvonne Rand as well as Anam Thubten. Yvonne has often focused on Right Speech, and I've found this vow a rich vein for examining my own behavior, and how it affects others. Do no harm is challenging in the best of circumstances, but once I open my mouth, it becomes the Mount Everest of climbs.
Integral with speech of any kind is, of course, silence. The wise course is often not speaking, or at least pausing until I'm sure what is floating through my mind is relevant or useful or appropriate for others' ears. My first practice directly aimed at Right Speech was to wait 24 hours before responding to my email. Wow! Was that illuminating! I found I wrote something completely different that the response I would have immediately sent. I saved myself embarassment and miscommunication, and, more importantly, unintended harm to whom I was writing.
My experience of silent retreats is how profoundly relieving it is to leave that ego behind, cease presenting myself, and step out side the structure of language all together.
In this blog I hope to chart my struggles with my own speech, how to use speech wisely, and to sit with "don't know" and remain open and curious about how my path unfolds, and when I stub my toe along the way.
No comments:
Post a Comment