Foundations of Spiritual Living: Step Three on the Eightfold Path

Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project.

We’re continuing our return to the foundations of Buddhist practice and the Noble Eightfold Path.

This week, we arrive at the third step: Right Speech.

How we communicate shapes our relationships, our communities, and our experience of the world. Right Speech asks us to consider not only whether our words are true, but whether they are timely, beneficial, clear, and free from the impulse to create more conflict.

This is not about being perfect. It is about developing enough awareness to pause before we speak.

Meditation helps us practice that pause. We learn to notice what arises, let go, and return. Over time, that space can change how we listen, respond, and relate.

I hope you enjoy looking at this foundational teaching with fresh eyes.

Much love,
Susan

PS: There’s a full, in-depth talk on Right Speech, on my podcast, Buddhism Beyond Belief, Episode 44, that you can listen to here (if you want to).

categorized in: dharma, open heart project