This note is an analysis of speech based on various tidbits I learned recently. The trigger was a lesson on parenting where the Master advised to follow a mental model for deciding when and how to speak with our children. This decision framework also applies well to our day-to-day life. Let’s start with a definition and dive deeper into the mental model.

A definition

May my speech be established in my mind and let the mind be rooted in the speech ¹ thus the Student prays for unification of the mind and speech before starting their study. May you both (speech and mind) be the carriers of the Veda (knowledge) to me. Our speech is an expression of the mind. It is also the precursor to our actions. Right speech is the hallmark of a pure mind. We find four stages in this transformation of consciousness from the unmanifest to the spoken word.

Para, Pashyanti, Madhyama and Vaikhari ² are the four types of speech.

• Vaikhari is the uttered speech that can be heard by another listener. It is the manifested action.
• Madhyama speech is our internal self talk. This is what we tell ourselves about the objects of the world. This too is an action because it leaves the impressions; we feel good or bad depending on whether this self talk was positive or negative. Madhyama operates within a context, creates identities and builds relationships.
• Pashyanti is the prior subtle state. It creates the required context amongst the subject and the objects. Subject is impelled by the innate force of intent ³. This is also the state where we first recognize plurality.
• Para is the initial state where the subject and object are one without any difference. It is the highest singular state.

Spiritual unfoldment traverses this path in reverse ². Ensure Vaikhari is disciplined first, silent the inner cock-a-doodle Madhyama thereafter and move gradually to the source. Let’s connect this with practice using two hints from the masters.

Mental model

Bhagavad Gita provides a note on discipline of the speech in Chapter 17 ⁴. Same four factors are also explained in the Abhaya Sutta discourse by the Buddha ⁵. It’s always amazing to see the same truth expounded in multiple ways for all of us.

Each “row” in the Y-axis above indicates a criterion for speech. Columns determine when a particular condition is met (tick) or not met (cross). X-axis is the decision - whether to speak or stay silent.

Truth and Beneficial are necessary conditions for anything we speak. But these are not sufficient. We must wait for the right moment to speak. Why? The Buddha advises us to be sympathetic to living beings. We must preserve the peace and harmony by practicing non-violence or non-agitation.

Both the discourses list Truth as the necessary condition. Buddhism also calls out Factual along with Truth. Perhaps the idea is to exclude assumed Truth. E.g., statements which may not be factual (i.e., not perceived or examined) yet believed to be true.

Allow me to paraphrase an example the Master used to illustrate this framework. Imagine you are visiting a felicitation ceremony at the school. You see the other children getting awards. You start lecturing your child, “Son, you should study X hours a day and practice the piano Y hours like ABC. You can win the competition next time”. This statement is factual and true, and it is beneficial too. However, a comparison may trigger certain negative emotions in the child. A ceremony may not be the right place for this advice. Let’s choose better words, be compassionate and find the right moment for any discussion.

Thank you for reading this far! Hope we both will practice this in our daily life 👼.