Lessons on Right Speech from a Chaotic Morning

Nov 28, 2025

Explore the urgent teaching of Right Speech and its significance in today's chaotic world. Susan shares a chaotic morning story involving a confrontation at the pool that serves as a lens to understand effective communication. Discover the four characteristics of wrong speech and five important questions to ask before you speak. Reflect on how our intentions and words influence our connections with others. Wrapping up with a beautiful song, this discussion delves into living with more compassion and courage.

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INSIGHT

Speech Escalates Conflict Rapidly

Wrong speech creates cascades of conflict online and in person, worsening situations quickly.
A deeper understanding of right speech could substantially change interpersonal and public discourse.

ANECDOTE

Morning Confrontation At Barton Springs

Susan Piver describes intervening in a heated argument between two dog owners at Barton Springs early one morning.
Her spontaneous intervention led to being verbally attacked and later reflection on whether her speech was appropriate.

ADVICE

Don't Speak As If You Know What You Don't

Avoid lying by checking that what you state as fact is actually known to be true.
When unsure, preface with uncertainty like "I think" or "I'm not sure" to avoid falsehoods.

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In this episode, I explore what I believe to be one of the most urgent Buddhist teachings for our current moment: Right Speech. Many people associate Buddhism with stress reduction or calming the mind, and while those benefits are real, the path is far more robust. It offers a way to wake up, to see clearly, and to live everyday life with more meaning, compassion, and courage.

I also share a story that unfolded early this morning at Austin’s Barton Springs pool—an unexpected confrontation between two dog owners that I somehow stepped right into. It wasn’t pretty. I wasn’t pretty! As I reflected on what happened, I realized it offered a lens for examining Right Speech, what it is, what it isn’t, and how challenging it can be to practice it in real time.

Right Speech is the third step on the Noble Eightfold Path, following Right View and Right Intention. It is essential. Speech is our bridge to one another and a central part of the path. In this episode, I walk through the four characteristics of wrong speech, the five questions to ask yourself before speaking, and the ways in which our words—and the intention behind them—shape the world.

I close with a song for our podcast after-party: “Wichita Lineman,” written by Jimmy Webb and recorded by Glen Campbell, one of the most beautiful and mournful songs I know.

Highlights

Why Buddhism is more than mindfulness or stress relief
Why Right Speech may be the most vital teaching for our time
A real-life story about conflict, dogs, and my unplanned intervention
The four kinds of wrong speech: lying, divisive speech, abusive speech, idle speech
Five questions to ask before speaking:
- Is it the right time?
- Is it truthful?
- Is it gentle or kind?
- Is it beneficial?
- Is it spoken with goodwill?
Reflections on whether my own speech this morning met any of these criteria
Why awareness of speech is a profound spiritual practice

Thank you for listening, for sharing the podcast with anyone who might enjoy it, and for being part of this exploration of the dharma. I’ll see you next week.

Music Segment

“Wichita Lineman,” written by Jimmy Webb and recorded by Glen Campbell in 1968, is a spacious, aching ballad often hailed as one of the greatest songs ever written. Its haunting melody, iconic six-string bass solo, and portrait of quiet longing make it a perfect companion for reflection.

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Produced by Citizens of Sound