How Do We Communicate?
How we communicate shapes the world we live in. The guidance of right speech fosters a world that upholds connection, dignity, and compassion.
How is right speech alive in you in this moment?
You can touch into right speech at any moment of the day, by pausing and asking yourself any of the following questions:
Is what I am expressing (or about to express) . . .
Timely?
True?
Gentle?
Beneficial?
Conveyed in true friendliness and goodwill?
Am I engaging in gossip or divisive speech?
What do I notice in the body-mind as I’m communicating right now?
Does my expression increase or decrease bodily tension?
Is my heart-mind open and receptive as I’m listening?
How does my communication appear to be impacting people right now?
This practice is excerpted from No Moment Left Out, a forthcoming self-published practice guide compiled by a group of dedicated Insight Dialogue practitioners. The guide is drawn from Gregory Kramer’s A Whole-Life Path: A Lay Buddhist’s Guide to Crafting a Dhamma-Infused Life (Insight Dialogue Community).