This week we will examine our relationship with Truthfulness. Truthfulness is one of the 10 Paramis (perfections/adornments) of a mind moving toward freedom from greed, hatred and delusion- a peaceful mind. Truthfulness isn’t about reciting or knowing facts. Knowing facts will not lead us to peace and contentment. Knowing facts will not lead to compassion. Knowing facts will unlikely lead us to an ethical and compassionate life. In summary, knowing facts will not set us free. Being truthful (and living the truth) is harmony between our actions and our ideals. Buddha often taught generosity and ethics (truth is included here) as the first teachings to people who asked him for a teaching. Without the foundation of generosity and ethics one cannot develop mindfulness and concentration. It is said that the Bodhisattva Gautama (the future Buddha) violated all the precepts in previous lives with the exception of telling a lie. He never lied or deceived another. Understanding and practicing truth is at the foundation of our ethical behavior. So what is truth exactly? It is honesty, integrity, and sincerity put into our thoughts, words, and actions. Foremost it is not deceiving our self or others. Do we speak the truth? Do we exaggerate? Do we slander others? How small of a lie are we willing to accept as insignificant? In the Buddhist teachings, deceiving (our self and others) has great negative karmic effect and speaking and living the truth has great power.
So this week let’s first do a daily inventory of our truthfulness for two days. Then let’s practice truth for the remaining days (the rest of our lives).
Days One and Two: Inventory. Reflect each time you engage in one of the behaviors below. This isn’t meant to be a judgmental exercise. Don’t be discouraged. Forgive yourself each time you note one of the examples below. Merely note to yourself. “I just spoke untruthfully……to make myself look better… to make another look worse…. Here are some examples to be on the lookout for.
• I spoke a lie (to improve my own appearance.. to the detriment of another)
• I exaggerated and thus deceived another.
• I deceived another (by my actions/inactions, words, or silence).
• I poked fun at others (even in jest).
• I slandered another (slander is making a false derogatory statement about another). Slander has great karmic effect because not only is it false, but it is usually said out of anger. This includes making comments to the radio or TV about someone who you don’t agree with (some political figure for example-) although the karma of this does not have the same karmic effect as if we spoke this to another person- but wait a minute here…hmmm.. we are speaking this to a person–our self! So examine the karmic effect for yourself.
• I just gave someone a label (a neocon, liberal, idiot, a fascist, crazy, out of their mind, jerk, racist, ding bat, etc.) These types of reactions are so common we don’t often recognize them until we’ve blurted out the words. But today we are looking at this! Not Judging-just looking! There are only two mistakes on this path; Not Going all the Way and; Not Starting!
Day Three thru…During these days I will:
• Vow to speak the truth.
• Be mindful of what I am about to say before I speak and I will speak kindly.
• Choose my words so as not to deceive others.
• Not deceive others with silence.
• Not criticize others in any way that is destructive or negative.
• Not exaggerate to the betterment of myself or to the detriment of others.
One of the definitions of Dharma/Dhamma is”truth”. Our personal truth is realized when we live our truth without having to conceptualize it. Whenever greed, hatred and delusion are dropped, we are the truth. We are the Dharma. We are free.
May you be well, peaceful, happy, and filled with truth.
Floyd
P.S. There are 10 paramis. When these are practiced with loving-kindness, compassion, and letting go, it is said that they adorn the mind. They are Generosity, Renunciation (Letting Go), Ethics, Wisdom, Effort, Patience, Truthfulness, Resolve (Determination), Loving-kindness, and Equanimity.
