This month we are talking about the final pillar in this triangle - Sila, or ethical conduct. Most of us grew up under some kind of Abrahamic law, meaning we grew up under the idea that conduct falls within sin and not sin, good or bad, right or wrong. Culturally we were taught what conduct falls into each category. We all know what is sin and what is not sin. We know or at least think we know, what is good behavior and what is bad behavior. Most of our parents made sure we knew right from wrong. We live within this edict every day. It's the underlying thread to all our judgment, our comparing and this urge to fix everything and everyone. And I think it is the fundamental life spark in the unwholesome roots of greed, hatred, and delusion.

Sila points to a different relationship with conduct. As lay practitioners we practice Sila through observing the Five Precepts. They are refraining from killing living beings, taking what is not freely offered, sexual misconduct, lying/harsh speech and abusing intoxicants. These precepts point more towards harm or no harm, rather than what was the actual conduct. For instance, a retreat practitioner could do an act that seems completely neutral, such as talking during a retreat and yet, it would be a violation of the precepts because of the potential harm it can bring. Or a practitioner would need to be mindful about the amount of alcohol they consume because of the implications of heedlessness, which can cause harm.

The gift of Sila in Buddhism is the way ethical conduct is framed. Each precept is framed within the context "undertaking the training to refrain from." When conduct is framed as a training, it gives us permission to explore where or when our conduct moves towards harm. It takes a degree of sensitivity to understand this. Nowhere can you see this better than at a retreat. The longer your retreat, the more open-hearted you become and the more sensitive you get to harm. This is why I selected the picture below. This is a magnified, up-close view of a snowflake on a pine needle. It's so beautiful and delicate and yet, snowflakes exist in the harshness of winter. Likewise, Sila is delicate and beautiful and yet it exists in the harmfulness of our human interactions.

The opening ceremony of every Insight Meditation retreat includes a recitation of the Refuges and Precepts. It is significant that most all of us learned about Sila during a retreat. We learned how to adjust our conduct within a container that emphasized silence, care, and mindfulness. I think this is why many of us have been able to touch into the sensitivity, tranquility and open-heartedness that so often accompany retreats. The retreats create a web of safety that allows practice to unfold. As an African American woman, I attended many retreats in my early years where I was the only person of color in the room. I did not have a sense of belonging and inclusion. I felt isolated and alone. But what remains significant to me is that I never felt outside of the practice. I had my spot in the hall, my walking path, and a bed. For some reason, and this may not be for everyone, I always knew I belonged to the Dhamma. The fact that I didn't have to talk to anyone and no one talked to me enabled me to practice with my sense of isolation and aloneness.

This is the significance of the Three Pillars of Insight Practice and it points to the strength of this triangle - Panna (wisdom), Dana (generosity) and Sila (ethical conduct). You may remember that triangles are the strongest shape there is. Any weight placed on them is evenly distributed on all 3 sides. The corner angles cannot change without an accompanying change in the length of the edge. This is true for our practice. The more I have practiced the Buddha's teachings, the more I understand the human condition, the more generous I have become, and the more sensitive I am to harm. I give a lot of credit and appreciation to how the Dhamma has unfolded in me because of my retreat practice, my community Sangha practice and my personal practice.

This is something you can consider this month. How did you learn about the precepts? How do you experience them? Are they woven in with your understanding of Buddhist teachings? How much do you recognize the relationship between the precepts and samadhi/concentration? This and more is what we will explore together this month.