The first of the ethics trainings is Wise Speech.  The point of Wise Speech is to continually bring ourselves back to the present moment, for ourselves and for others.  Wise Speech helps us realize what leads us out of confusion and bondage.  It helps us see what’s really going on; see what will lead us and others into hatred, confusion, difficulty and suffering; and, see what words and actions will lead us into peace, harmony, understanding, and compassion. at any given moment our eyes must be open to see our situation fully for what it is.  Our intention and the speech or actions that arise from that intention is the bottom line. 

“Cynthia Kane wrote, With the rules of Wise speech, we now have a foundational understanding of how a Buddhist communicates. She uses words that are true, balanced, necessary, and kind. She listens intently to others and to herself. And while she realizes that she is only responsible for what she says (not what others hear), she still takes great care to choose her words skillfully, so that the recipient is more likely to hear and understand them. She doesn’t speak negatively about people. She speaks from the heart. And once the words are said, she lets them go. The rules of Wise speech are by design simple and easy to remember. But that doesn’t mean they’re simple and easy to apply.”

Equally important to the way we speak is the way we listen. Thich Nhat Hanh emphasized the art of Deep Listening. When we bring mindfulness to ordinary conversation, we find that mindful listening means attending to our own physical sensations, thoughts, and emotions, as well as to the voice, tone, facial expressions, gestures, pauses, etc. all the rich nuances that go along with the words that people speak .

Christine Longaker wrote, “You must listen with your whole being, not just your ears. Listen with your body, your heart, your eyes, your energy, your total presence. Listen in silence, without interrupting. Fill any spaces of silence between you with love.”