Truthfulness
Continuing with the Paramis, ten qualities of the heart based on Buddhist teachings, we’ll be exploring Truthfulness, number seven, for the month of July. Each of these qualities is supported by the others and they all work together.
To learn more about the paramis, please look at my previous blog entries which include the list of sources I am drawing on.
Paramis:
Generosity — Dāna
Morality — Sīla
Renunciation — Nekkhamma
Discernment or Wisdom — Pannā
Energy, or Courage — Viriya
Patience — Khanti
Truthfulness — Sacca
Resolve — Adhitthāna
Kindness — Mettā
Equanimity — Upekkhā
Truthfulness begins with being honest about ourselves. We often indulge in self-delusion, seeing ourselves as better or worse than we actually are. Noticing this tendency, and interrupting it, gives us the chance to be better aligned with who we are, and to move into our lives with greater ease and accessibility to others. Living in the extremes of being identified with feeling bad about ourselves, or soaring on delusions of grandeur, keep us from meeting the moment with integrity. There is a lot to learn about our minds, and it can be tricky. It requires careful monitoring and a willingness to see clearly and honestly.
In the process we can watch for the “defilements” (unwholesome tendencies) of our minds, which include greed, hate, delusion, conceit, wrong view, doubt, torpor, restlessness, shamelessness and recklessness. Notice the arising of any of these mind states and what causes it to arise. What allows it to subside?
Once we’ve examined ourselves in this way we are ready to notice our patterns of speech with others, including exaggerations, unkind humor, or participating in gossip. Look for things that are “almost true” in ordinary speech. Be interested about habits and motivations that are at work and often unnoticed.
As I apply this teaching to my daily interactions I notice a tendency to exaggerate what I’ve done in my favor, rather than simply reporting “the facts”. How interesting to notice, and how subtle. I look forward to bringing curiosity to these habits as we shine the light on the topic of truthfulness this month. I hope you’ll join me for the investigation.
“Remember to look with interest, not judgment”. Joseph Goldstein