“Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I am committed to cultivating loving speech and deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve others of their suffering. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am determined to speak truthfully, with words that inspire self-confidence, joy and hope. I will not spread news that I do not know to be certain and will not criticize or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord, or that can cause the family or community to break. I am determined to make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.” – Author Unkown
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Through a friend, I found out this may be adapted from writings of Thich Nhat Hanh
Here is his publication list – http://www.parallax.org/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?search=action&category=BOOK&keywords=hanh
Reblogged this on gillstewart.
Thank you Amy, this moved me today because if the high and low place that I am in, it hit me because I often fall terribly and painfully short in this area and it conforted me because I know that the grace and power of “God can do for me today what I cannot do for myself”) and for others).
Mark
Thanks Mark – I was so thankful to read it when I needed to read it – usually if we are open to listening – we hear exactly what we need right when we need to hear it. Stay in your heart and out of your head!
This is one of the five “mindfulness trainings” offered by the Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh. The phrasing is his, but the precepts themselves are drawn from classical Buddhist teachings.
Thank you for replying and sharing more information about this quote!