THERE IS ONLY ONE CORNER
OF THE UNIVERSE YOU CAN
BE CERTAIN OF IMPROVING ...
AND THAT'S YOUR OWN SELF.
-Aldous Huxley
I could have struck back at my antagonist through both civil court
action and criminal libel proceedings, or I could have exercised my
right to forgive him. One course of action would have brought me a
substantial sum of money and whatever joy and satisfaction there may
be in defeating and punishing an enemy. The other course of action
would have brought me the self-respect that is enjoyed by those who
have successfully met the test and discovered that they have evolved
to the point where they can repeat the Lord's Prayer and mean it!
I chose the latter course. I did so despite the recommendations
of close personal friends to strike back and despite the offer of a
prominent lawyer to do my "striking" for me without cost.
But the lawyer had offered to do the impossible, because no one
can strike back at another without cost. Not always is the cost of a
monetary nature, for there are other things with which one may pay
that are dearer than money.
It would be as hopeless to try to make someone who was not
familiar with the law of the Golden Rule understand why I refused to
strike back at this enemy as it would be to try to describe the law of
gravitation to an ape. If you understand this law you also understand
why I chose to forgive my enemy.
In the Lord's Prayer we are admonished to forgive our enemies, but
that admonition will fall on deaf ears unless the listener understands
the law upon which it is based. And that law is none other than the
law upon which the Golden Rule is based. It is the law through which
we must inevitably reap that which we sow. There is no escape from
the operation of this law, nor is there any cause to try to avoid its
consequences if we refrain from putting into motion thoughts and
acts that are destructive.
Who wishes to literally follow the injunction of the Golden Rule
might appropriately adopt
I. I believe in the Golden Rule as the basis of all human
conduct. Therefore I will never do to another person
that which I would not be willing for that person to
do to me if our positions were reversed.
II. I will be honest, even to the slightest detail, in all my
transactions with others, not only because of my desire
to be fair with them but also because of my desire to
impress the idea of honesty on my own subconscious
mind, thereby weaving this essential quality into my
own character.
III. I will forgive those who are unjust toward me, with no
thought as to whether they deserve it or not, because I
understand the law through which forgiveness of others
strengthens my own character and wipes out the effects
of my own transgressions, in my subconscious mind.
IV. I will be just, generous, and fair with others always,
even though I know these acts will go unnoticed and
unrewarded, in the ordinary terms of reward, because
I understand and intend to apply the law through the
aid of which one's own character is but the sum total
of one's own acts and deeds.
V. Whatever time I may have to devote to the discovery
and exposure of the weaknesses and faults of others
I will devote, more profitably, to the discovery and
correction of my own.
VI. I will slander no person, no matter how much I may
believe another person may deserve it, because I wish
to plant no destructive suggestions in my own subconscious mind.
VII. I recognize the power of thought as being an inlet
leading into my brain from the universal ocean of life,
therefore I will set no destructive thoughts afloat upon
that ocean lest they pollute the minds of others.
VIII. I will conquer the common human tendency toward
hatred, and envy, and selfishness, and jealousy, and malice, and pessimism, and doubt, and fear, for I believe
these to be the seed from which the world harvests
most of its troubles.
IX. When my mind is not occupied with thoughts that
tend toward the attainment of my Definite Chief Aim
in life, I will voluntarily keep it filled with thoughts
of courage, and Self-Confidence, and goodwill toward
others, and faith, and kindness, and loyalty, and love
for truth and justice, for I believe these to be the seed
from which the world reaps its harvest of progressive
growth.
X. I understand that a mere passive belief in the soundness of the Golden Rule philosophy is of no value
whatsoever, either to myself or to others. Therefore, I
will actively put into operation this universal rule for
good in all my transactions with others.
XI. I understand the law through the operation of which
my own character is developed from my own acts and
thoughts. Therefore, I will guard with care all that goes
into its development.
XII. Realizing that enduring happiness comes only through
helping others find it, that no act of kindness is without
its reward, even though it may never be directly repaid,
I will do my best to assist others when and where the
opportunity appears.
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