By: Bob Zeglovitch
In our Practice Period on the precepts, we have been encouraged to consider writing the precepts in a way that reflects how we are working with them. My formulation of the precept on not speaking falsely is:
I vow to avoid deception of myself and others, through body, speech and thought. I vow to cultivate humility so that I do not rashly proclaim what I take to be truth, without proper reflection and care and without listening to other viewpoints that might help me better understand the truth of the situation. I vow to cultivate the courage to speak the truth as clearly and kindly as I can and to recognize when I am holding back out of fear.