Ep. 247 – Right Speech, Satipatthana Sutta Series Pt. 44

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Jun 26, 2025

Discover the transformative power of Right Speech as Joseph Goldstein highlights its role in fostering truth and harmony. Explore the profound effects of our words on relationships and societal trust, while learning about the deeper motivations behind our communication. Personal anecdotes and reflections illustrate the courage needed to speak honestly, even in challenging situations. The podcast emphasizes mindfulness and intention, encouraging listeners to cultivate meaningful dialogue that nurtures connection and compassion.

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ADVICE

Practice Discernment in Speech

Speak only what is true and useful, considering timing carefully.
Restrain from blurting out everything you feel; practice wise discernment in speech.

ANECDOTE

Facing Personal Truthfulness

Joseph Goldstein was confronted for shading the truth in an interview, an experience that humbled him.
Owning this tendency freed him to recognize and let go of subtle untruths more easily.

ANECDOTE

Truth Amid Persecution

During China's Cultural Revolution, Nian Cheng refused to confess false charges despite imprisonment and torture.
Her steadfast truthfulness became a profound source of personal freedom and inspiration.

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Honing in on Right Speech and maintaining harmony, Joseph Goldstein encourages listeners to develop a commitment to telling the truth and refraining from slander.

The Satipatthana Sutta is one of the most celebrated and widely studied discourses in the Pāli Canon of Theravada Buddhism. This episode is the 44th part of an in-depth 46-part lecture series from Joseph Goldstein that delves into every aspect of the Satipatthana Sutta. If you are just now jumping into the Satipatthana Sutta series, listen to Insight Hour Ep. 203 to follow along and get the full experience!

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In this episode’s exploration of the Satipatthana Sutta, Joseph Goldstein reviews:

Practicing Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood with the same dedication as meditation
The influence of our speech on our lives (our relationships, minds, karmic outcomes)
Truthfulness as the most basic concept of right speech in Buddhist ethics
Investigating the deeper motivations behind what we say and how we say it
The harmful ripple effects of lying on trust, connection, and societal cohesion
Insights from the Buddha: why truth must be spoken at all times, regardless of a perceived advantage
Lies of omission and the subtle ways we distort or avoid truth
Cultivating the courage and mindfulness required to speak honestly in daily life
Refraining from gossip and slander in order to avoid disharmony
Examining the emotional tone of speech—choosing words that are gentle, compassionate, and unifying
How harsh language does not serve good communication
Transforming the divisive world we live in through right speech
How we listen as an equally important component of right speech

This episode was originally published on Dharmaseed

Grab a copy of the book Joseph references throughout this series, Satipaṭṭhāna: The Direct Path to Realization, HERE

"This doesn't mean that there should be a suppression of what we're feeling. It's not a papering over of the truth of our emotions, but rather, it's to be mindful enough that we can communicate what we're feeling in a way that promotes connection rather than promotes divisiveness. This is a practice. Right speech is a practice." – Joseph Goldstein

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