A large part of what leads tp undesirable situations can be traced to the way we speak. Here are 4 tips that you can use before you “choose” to speak. A tick in each would ensure you get it “right”.
Right Speech is one of Buddha’s Eightfold path. And in the world we live in today, speech / speaking forms a large part of the communication that we have with the world.
Here’s a simple and handy checklist to follow for moderating one’s speech to get it ‘right’:
I wouldn’t dwell on the benefits of the four checks because that shall be pass. I would just share the questions that I ask myself before I speak / write / WhatsApp / text .
Tip # 1
Mitam मितं – Measured (brevity)
Remember not only to say the right think in the right place, but far more important still to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment – Benjamin Franklin
Ask yourself:
· “Is it necessary?”
· How much is necessary?
Tip # 2
Satyam सत्यं – truthful
Mark Twain said “The best thing about telling the truth is that you do not have to remember what you said”.
Ask yourself:
· Is it true?
· Have I checked the source?
Tip # 3
Hitam हितं – Beneficial
“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” said Viktor Frankl and that which does not have purpose should not be done.
Ask yourself:
- Will it benefit the listener with what I speak and how I speak?
- Will it serve the purpose?
Tip # 4
Priyam प्रियं – pleasant
And the Bhagwadgita says ~
अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत् | (17.15) That speech (वाक्यं) which does not cause agitation (अनुद्वेगकरं), is truthful (सत्यं) and is pleasant and beneficial (प्रियहितं) is the right speech
So ask yourself:
· Is it pleasant what I have to share?
· If what I share is not pleasant can I share it pleasantly?
And if what you have to say gets a tick in all the boxes – go right ahead.
If not ……..think it over!
