Giving as the Fundamental Rule of Behavior by David A. Tokar, PhD

“A Heart of Golden Light is sharing Love for Love's Sake to any and all who will receive it…” - Diane M. Rousseau, LHD, PhD.

Giving as the Fundamental Rule of Behavior
by David A. Tokar, PhD

Kindness and Compassion

During these troubling times, it is especially easy for one's awareness to become so dominated by one's own needs and concerns, that one forgets to be considerate of others. Charlie Lutes has often said that it is essential for Soul growth that one learn to see things from the other person's point of view in any interaction.

Saints, Masters, Teachers and Avatars of all ages have advocated Kindness, Compassion, Tolerance, Patience and Truthfulness in one's dealing with others. When one is established in God Consciousness, in Unity and other Higher States of Consciousness, one more spontaneously acts with Kindness and Truthfulness because one “Lives” the Oneness of Life in one's own Consciousness. As we progress on our Spiritual Path, and grow toward Higher States that have not yet been fully stabilized, we can take steps in this direction by being regular in our daily Prayer, Meditation and Spiritual Practice and also by being thoughtful and helpful in our dealings with others.

St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) has made many beautiful and inspiring statements on this topic which arose out of her own experience. She did not just try to see God and Christ in others, she Lived the Truth of Unity and Oneness:
“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”

Dr. Diane M. Rousseau has also frequently written on this topic, as in this excerpt from a recent post in ISS, Institute of Spiritual Sciences Friends:
“A Heart of Golden Light is sharing Love for Love's Sake to any and all who will receive it, and it falls in on the innocents and for those who have no Voice... as it is Transcendent outside of Space and Time. It Is Love Uniting In One.”

The Art of Being

In the following excerpts from the chapter, “The Art of Behavior” in THE SCIENCE OF BEING AND ART OF LIVING, H.H. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi speaks on the True nature of behavior, the Ideal of Behavior that supports life at all levels:

Compassion is advocated by all the world's Great Religions, as is illustrated by these few examples:

• “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Lord Jesus Christ, The Gospel According to St. Mark, with parallels in Matthew, Luke, and Thomas)
  
• “The true yogi, with his or her Heart centered on Me, recognizes the Self in all beings, and acts accordingly.” (Lord Krishna, The Bhagavad-Gita)
  
• “When you see yourself in others, it is impossible to hurt anyone else.” (Lord Buddha)
  
• “Nothing but good comes to those who love others as they love themselves.” (Lao-Tzu, The Tao Te Ching)
  

This behavior--Love and Compassion in action--is grounded in God, in Unity, in Oneness:

• “I am a mirror; see yourself in Me. I am a door, so knock upon Me. I am your resting place, so rest within Me.” ('The Hymn of Jesus' from The Acts of John)
  
• “I am the Father, the Mother, the Sustainer, the Godfather, the Purifier, the One thing to be known.” (The Bhagavad-Gita)
  
• “I am in that place which knows no division.” (The Gospel According to Thomas)
  
• “My Love is equal for all beings. I can be reached through Devotion, for I am in them, and they in Me.” (The Bhagavad-Gita)
  

Our Consciousness as Right Action from inner growth expresses Itself, and elevates the entire world, the entire universe, “Whoever overcomes his unwholesome deeds with wholesome actions, illuminates the world, like the moon emerging from a cloud.” (Lord Buddha, The Dhammapada)

“In Love of God the lover of life finds expression of the inexpressible. Cosmic Life gains expression in his activity. The thought of Cosmic Life is materialized in her process of thinking. HIs eyes behold the purpose of creation. Her ears hear the Music of Cosmic Life. Her hands hold on to Cosmic Intentions. His feet set the Cosmic Life in motion. She walks on earth, yet walks in the destiny of Heaven. Angels enjoy his being on earth. This is the Glory of Unity born of Love.” (H.H. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, LOVE AND GOD, p. 22)

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has pointed out many times in his lectures and writings the importance of Right Speech as an aspect of Right Behavior, Right Action:

• “The purpose of Speech is to inspire and uplift.” (POWER OF SILENCE, p. 160)
  
• “The purpose of Speech is to enliven the Bliss in others.” (Ibid.)
  
• “Be as delicate as possible. If communication accomplishes something on the gross, but damages something on the level of feeling, then it is a Spiritual loss.” (Ibid., p. 63)
  

Why we are Here

Finally, it is essential that we remember WHY we are here, which is to grow, to evolve, to attain Enlightenment and ultimately, Final Liberation. In our day-to-day activities we are here to bring in all that is Good, all that is Pure and Right and True to the world. This is one of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's most powerful statements on this theme:

“We are born to Bless, not to punish. This you should never forget. We should always see good things in others: very important. We are not in a position to criticize anyone.” (Ibid., p.29)

David A. Tokar, PhD

Copyright © 2020 D.A. Tokar

May the light and love of God prevail. Please let us know how we can help.

Tags: spiritual traditions golden rules and divine precepts