Reviewing the Value of Virtue and Right Speech

Listen to Dharma Talks | Orlando Insight Meditation Group

During this talk, Peter provides an overview of Sila, the Buddhist Virtue Aggregate, which is found within the Noble Eightfold Path, with an emphasis on the importance of mindfully recognizing the non-virtuous elements of contemporary cultural conditioning, which create disharmony and dysfunction with significant negative consequences for social cohesion and the environment, renouncing them, and instead orienting one’s thoughts and actions through the filter of Virtue–harmlessness, compassion, generosity and equanimity. He then focuses on Right Speech in the context of a person’s internal self-talk, as well as interpersonal communications. He adds another consideration he calls Right Listening, the ability to bring skillful attention and discipline to bear on the cognitive distortions that prevail in contemporary media and counter their effect on one’s clarity, purpose and peace of mind.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk: THE VIRTUE OF RIGHT SPEECH The contents of these notes are more expansive and descriptive than the verbal recording of the talk.

Next week’s talk will focus on another function of the Virtue Aggregate of the Noble Eightfold Path: Right Action.