LIBERATING ACTIONS
The liberating actions consist of refraining from four digital behaviors that stem from and cultivate hatred, violence, and craving. The idea behind this step of the path is that these are the things you can just not do. You don't have to cultivate any special skills for this step, just the willingness and follow-through to not do things that blatantly increase your suffering and the suffering of others. The behaviors one refrains from are the following: lying, malicious communication, stealing, and physical or sexual violence or coercion. Liberating action can also be framed positively as truthful speech, kind speech, honest action, gentleness, and respect for autonomy. You can see that the principles behind these guidelines for action are non-hatred, non-harm, and non-craving.
This step of non-action may seem simple, but reflect on how much suffering occurs over the internet because of lying, malicious language, stealing, and violence. There are obvious forms of this--propaganda, hate speech, scamming, sexual exploitation--and there are more subtle forms: creating a false image of self through posts, passive-aggressive comments, posting copied text without citing a source, buying products that use child labor, etc. These are all things that lead to suffering in oneself and in others. At face value, not doing these things seems simple, but in practice it can be difficult, and attempting to refrain from these actions gives us clear information about where we are stuck seeking satisfaction in what cannot ultimately satisfy.
This is the first practical step on the path. It is putting understanding and intention into action.