What we speak becomes the house we live in ~ Hafiz

Have you ever taken time to reflect and pause before speaking?

I was reminded recently about and old Sufi Practice "The Four Gates of Speech" and I think it is a beautiful tradition to cultivate awareness, a mindful pause before communicating. It promotes consciousness and also unity and harmony, for you and the person/people you are about to address as well as the global community... :-)

The Four Gates of Speech
The Sufi tradition advises us to speak only after our words have passed through the four gates...

at the first gate we ask ourself;

• "are these words true?"

if so, let them pass on, if not back they go.

at the second gate we ask;

• "are they necessary?"

at the third gate:

• "are they beneficial?

and at the fourth:

• "are they kind?"

If the answer is no to any of these questions then what you are about to say should be left unsaid...

I l ♥ve this! and am observing the practices.

It got me thinking it also promotes great Karma the cause and effect of your speech as well as your thoughts and deeds! It is of the highest good for you and those around you and so what you sow you reap...

PAUSE ~ ENQUIRE ~ REFLECT

Til next time I invite you to have a wee think before you speak...

all l♥ve & light
Michelle
www.yogarelax.co.uk
www.michellecross.co.uk