Right Speech: Wisdom & Practices for Healthy Relationships

Tampa | August 3, 2014

In Thich Nhat Hanh's offering of the fourth Mindfulness Training, Loving Speech and Deep Listening, we acknowledge that much suffering is caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, and we commit to cultivating loving speech and compassionate listening in order to relieve suffering and to promote reconciliation and peace in ourselves and among other people. This commitment is so clear and wise; why do we often not practice it, particularly with those we are closest to? In this teaching to students of FCM, Fred talks about the importance of a clear, powerful conscious intention that is upfront and central in our daily lives. As well, we must understand and be ever vigilant for the negative habit energy, or what Eckhart Tolle calls the "pain body," that can arise and without mindfulness, bring much suffering into our speech and relationships.