Full Moon – Right Communication

As a beautiful flower
with a delightful fragrance is pleasing,
so is wise and lovely speech
when matched with right action.

DHAMMAPADA v. 52

More communication is not the same thing as meaningful communication. The developers of social media have worked hard to persuade us that the more we interact and share, the better. The allure of the idea of harmonious relationships is hard to resist. Evidence, however, indicates that more talking and sharing is not always helpful. If our communications are not carefully considered, they readily lead to less harmonious relationships. The current polarisation of societies attests to this. If we don’t adequately invest in developing integrity and intentional composure – sila and indriya samvara – then we are vulnerable to being defined by the values of those around us. Sadly, and increasingly, this means the values of the casual culture. There are many who believe that being relaxed is the way to contentment. Obviously, feeling perpetually stressed is not desirable, but overcompensating by being casual about everything is also not working. Spending even a small amount of time each day in intentional quietude, disciplining attention, could, perhaps, help replace casual communication with wise speech.

(This post is also available to view at dhammakatha.org)