Photo by David Victor

Being silent to Boorstein my favorite American Buddhist writer is “receiving in a balanced, non-combative way what is happening.’ What is implied is that one will be able to relax and be able to listen to one’s inner voice calling for the recognition of the truth one’s present situation. The more important implication is to be present to the NOW!
There are several considerations before one can break silence. Consider the intention for any remark. Do you want to help? Is it to show off? Or do you want to denigrade?
Regarding the intention for speech Sylvia has the following observations. Most of the time speech is for fact disclosure. At times speakers simply want to be clever. At other times speakers intend to influence their listeners. Yet at other times speakers clearly or underhandedly want to get even for a real or imagined slight.

Very useful reminder is the sixty seconds rule of pausing before speaking. This is for reflection, examination of intention and preview of tone.
Martha Blake has a list of requirements for right speech: authenticity, inventiveness, beauty, humor, uniqueness, playfulness, empathy and meaning.