Cultivating Wise Speech: Becoming More Skillful in Your Speech (DR1D26)

Please only register for one of the two formats: On-Land or Online.

Registration closes at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on January 31, 2026. A waiting list will be created if the program fills early. A recording* will be available following the program. Continuing Education credits? (see details below).

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Description:
Connecting our meditation practice with our speech and communication is one of the main ways to bring spiritual values into our everyday lives and our action in the world, and can help enliven and energize our practice, since we have so many chances for practice! This daylong will integrate periods of sitting and walking meditation with talks, interactive exercises, and discussion. It will cover three main areas. In the morning, we will focus on (1) the basic teachings of the Buddha on wise speech and (2) foundational mindfulness practices for our speech. In the afternoon, we will apply these perspectives and tools to (3) learning how to practice wise and compassionate speech in difficult conditions—such as when there are difficult emotions, when there is conflict, or when there are challenging interpersonal or group dynamics.

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Sliding Scale: Our sliding scale options for this program include financial support for our teachers. Please consider paying at the highest rate that you can afford: your generosity supports teachers as well as Spirit Rock and your fellow practitioners who need to pay less.

On-Land Sliding Scale: (DR1D26)**
Benefactor – $310
Sustainer – $235
Basic – $140
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, M/K) – $70
**Volunteer/Work Exchange opportunities, which include full or partial Scholarships, may be available for the in-person program. For more information, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteering@spiritrock.org.

Online Sliding Scale: (DR1Z26)***
Benefactor – $175
Sustainer – $95
Basic – $75
Scholarship Rate (BIPOC, M/K) – $45
***Online Program: All are welcome! No one will be turned away for lack of funds as space allows. For more information, please email Registration@spiritrock.org no later than 12:00pm (NOON) PT on the day prior to the program date.

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*Important Notes:

Access to Recording

• Registration includes unlimited access to this program’s recording. You must register by the deadline above. The recording will be available in ~10 days after the program.

On-Land Attendees

• The on-land program will take place in the Community Meditation Center (CMC) in the Great Hall.
• Bring a lunch and a water bottle. Lunch is not provided.
• This is NOT a residential retreat. Overnight accommodations are not provided.

COVID Safety Protocols for non-residential programs: details here.

Cancellation Policy for On-Land: Daylongs, Multiday Programs (1-3 days), Family Programs, CE fees:

• NO REFUNDS.
• Open Credit or Donation to Spirit Rock = cancel 2 or more business days prior to program (Pacific Time)
• No Open Credit = cancel less than 2 business days prior

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Continuing Education (CE) credit available:
This program offers 4.5 Continuing Education (CE) credits/contact hours for $45, applicable for psychologists, and California-licensed MFTs, LCSWs, LEPs, LPCCs, {{nurses, and chiropractors}}, and may be applicable for other licenses. Please review our Continuing Education information page for provider details, and to determine if your association or board will accept credits offered by Spirit Rock.

Teachings are appropriate for health care professionals as well as the general public. This program is relevant to clinicians because effective, mindful communication supports therapeutic relationships, improves collaboration within care teams, and helps maintain clarity and steadiness during moments of stress. Participants will learn practical ways to bring greater awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation into their conversations with patients, clients, and colleagues. These skills are especially valuable in high-pressure clinical environments where conflict, complex emotions, or difficult interactions can arise. Healthcare providers may also share these tools with patients or clients to support healthier communication and increased relational resilience.

Donald Rothberg, PhD, is a longtime meditation teacher and educator with decades of experience teaching mindfulness, compassion, and communication practices in both contemplative and professional settings. He has taught widely in programs for clinicians and community leaders, integrating ethical speech, emotional awareness, and interpersonal mindfulness in ways that support clinical communication and therapeutic rapport.

Learning Objectives for participating health care professionals-
At the end of the program, you will be better able to:

• Describe the nature and importance of wise speech and its grounding in ethical principles to support clearer, more intentional communication with clients, patients, and colleagues.
• Describe practical methods for developing skillful speech—such as mindfulness, ethical guidelines, empathy, and intentional language—that can be applied both personally and professionally.
• Demonstrate strategies for using mindful and compassionate speech during difficult or emotionally charged interactions in clinical or interpersonal settings.
• Apply mindful listening practices to cultivate deeper understanding and strengthen effective, compassionate communication with clients, patients, and interdisciplinary care teams.

Continuing Education content level: Introductory

Schedule: (Full attendance is required. Times are listed in Pacific time.)

10:00-10:45am: Introduction to Wise Speech Practices

10:45-11:15am: Introduction to the Buddha’s teachings on Wise Speech Practice (no CE)

11:15-11:30am: Guided Practices

11:30am-12:30pm: Foundational mindfulness practices for our speech

12:30-1:30pm: Lunch (no CE)

1:30-2:45pm: Practicing Wise Speech in Difficult Conditions

2:45-3:00pm: Guided Practice

3:00-4:00pm: Speech Practice in Challenging Situations: Further Principles and Practices

Attendance policy for CE participants:

• Complete attendance is required.
• Sign in and out at the CE table on time.
• Certificates are issued only to those who meet the attendance requirements—without exception—to maintain compliance with our provider licenses and ensure the continuation of future CE programs.
• After the program, participants who meet the attendance requirements will be emailed a form to submit their professional information.  You will have 1 week to complete and submit this form to receive your Certificate of Attendance.

Please note:

• For full Provider information, and additional CE information, including attendance requirements, cancellation, and grievance policies, please visit our Continuing Education information page.
• For those with a different license than listed above, or with a license from a different board or association than listed on our CE info page, please contact your licensing board or association directly to request pre-approval/acceptance of CE credits offered at Spirit Rock. Spirit Rock does not confirm the applicability of credit for those with licenses other than those listed.
• Credit is awarded for instructional time only and does not include extended silent meditation, if offered.
• Continuing Education is sponsored by Mindful CECs.
• Mindful CECs is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Mindful CECs maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
• Mindful CECs is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17985 for 4.5 contact hours.
• Potential Conflict of Interest Statement: This instructor may have authored publications relevant to the subjects covered in this course. The instructor might reference these publications during the course, and they may receive financial compensation if these publications are purchased.

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