Page 78 - The Buddha‘s Noble Eightfold Path

if we are not in a position to give specifically spiritual instruction,

or to enlighten people, — and very few of us can do that in any
way, or to any extent, — we can at least be helpful. We can at

least be positive, and appreciative of whatever good we see
growing in, or emerging from, that other person. In any case,
even if we do, on occasion, give some sort of instruction, this

will only be effective if given in a helpful, positive, and
constructive spirit.

Now, if we communicate in this sort of way, if we speak the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, if we speak

with love, i.e. with awareness of the other person's being, if we
speak in such a way as to promote their growth, to have a

healthy, positive effect on them, if we are more concerned
about their needs than about our own, if we are not projecting
or just using or exploiting them, the result will be that in

speaking to, or communicating with, another person we will
forget all about ourselves. This brings us to the fourth and

highest level of Perfect Speech, or the fourth and final stage of
communication.

(4) The Level of Promoting Concord, Harmony and Unity
Perfect Speech is speech which promotes concord, harmony and

unity. This concord, harmony and unity is not just verbal
agreement. It is not saying 'Yes, yes' all the time. It is not even
sharing the same ideas — not a matter of 'You believe in

Buddhism, I believe in Buddhism'. This is not what is meant
here. What 'speech which promotes concord, harmony and

unity' really means is mutual helpfulness — based on
truthfulness, and awareness of each other's being, each other's
needs

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