Right Speech Meditations

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Meditations on right speech are resources associated with the 16 Guidelines.

Reflection on Right Speech from 16 Guidelines: The Basics

  • Find a quiet space where you can relax. Sit comfortably. To help you settle, focus your awareness on your breathing. Let go of any thoughts, images of feelings that arise. Whenever you become distracted, bring your awareness gently back to the sensation of the breath going in and out. Spend a few minutes enjoying the experience of coming to rest.
  • What does 'right speech' mean to you? Think of a time when you watched someone speak with kindness, sensitivity and wisdom. How did it feel? What did it sound like? What effect did it have on the people around them?
  • Reflect on some of the conversations that you have had today -- their content, their tone and their purpose. Would you describe them as right speech?
  • Bring to mind a recent occasion when you gossiped about someone else, or criticised them behind their back. This may be difficult or uncomfortable. Try to recall this conversation without judging yourself or the listener.
  • Be gentle but probing. What were you doing at the time? What motivated you to speak in this way? How did it make you feel? What effect did it have on other people?
  • Next visualise that you walk into a room where two people are talking about you. They don't see you, but you overhear them fossiping and criticising. Imagine that this is relaly happening and watch how you react. What happens to your body? What happens in your mind? How do feel towards them? What will you do next?
  • If this imaginary gossip and criticism has hurt you, then treat yourself with great kindness and gentleness. Acknowledge that you are experiencing pain without seeking to blame the people concerned.
  • Try to extend the same kindness and gentleness to the person who you have hurt with your own criticism and gossip. Is there a way for you to make amends? What is holding you back from doing this? What would it take to use your speech more wisely in future?
  • Close with the wish "May all beings be happy!"
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