Gratitude Statement

I am grateful for the Grace of Voice (Gift of Right Speech) which, when scrupulously abided, expresses the Oneness of ALL, extending grace to all fellow humans

Inspirational Message

Once upon a time, Speech was not an ability in great demand. People lived in small villages and saw each other in the farmer’s market or along the town boardwalk. The rest of the time they worked, ate, and rested in a cabin in the woods, nearby to only one or two neighboring farms. Writing was hardly needed, and the spoken word was used sparingly.

Nowadays, we text. We email. We blog. We Tweet. We Snapchat. We spend a phenomenal amount of our time communicating with others — but disproportionately little in person. In fact, as a society we have become inept at face-to-face relationships.

An interesting phenomenon about impersonal communication is that we humans seem far more willing to be heartless, hurtful, or obnoxious when not communicating in person.  Why do you suppose that is?

Right Speech is one of the Ten Graces because words can do almost as much to hurt or help as any physical actions. In fact, Right Speech and Right Behavior seem like peas from the same pod.

Once again, Mind is responsible for encouraging and justifying Unacceptable Speech. Lying. Slandering. Falsely Testifying. Betraying confidences. Betraying your word. Insulting. Humiliating. Shaming. Belittling. Ridiculing. Hateful Speech. Using God’s Name in Vain. Idolizing false gods. Malicious Speech. Inflammatory Speech. Verbally abusing. Vulgar speech. Plagiarizing. Divisive Speech.

By contrast, consider Speech inspired by the Soul. Praise. Prayer. Compliments. Encouragement. Validation. Endorsement. My father used to say, ‘think before you speak.’ Good advice for every form of communication, no?

Do you think the typical political campaign ad would pass the Right Speech test?

9th Grace Belief Statements