How in the world can we live without gossip? What would our relationships be? If we watch closely, most of our conversations are telling tales about others, and listening to gossip about them as well. There seems to be no end to it. When a group of students received a one week task of not gossiping or listening to gossip, they said they amazed. It was impossible to go to lunch, or join in most conversations. Naturally gossip (and slander) seems ordinary, harmless enough. But they are not. They weave a web of resentment, pain and cruelty. This web harms others and oneself in so many ways. One of our great One Minute Mitzvahs and acts of kindness is simply not to gossip. Or listen to the gossip of others.  As we stop tearing others apart, we then can use that energy to find ways to build up the world. What a wonderful mitzvah, and koan. Try even for a few days and see.