The Golden Rule

Recently my most beloved friend asked what I thought would be important for our daughters to know if we were not around to teach them. I thought about this and realized that two words summed up a lot of what I thought was important. Those two words are tolerance and compassion. I do believe the combination and scope of these acts equals love. Knowing and practicing tolerance encompasses just about every thread of life; and could be used to weave a beautiful rich tapestry for life. Compassion is to see with heart or to see with feeling. Just think what the world would be like if everyone practiced these acts of Love.

I also thought about a very simple truth known as The Golden Rule. This is one common thread that links us all together. Perhaps if we all used it we could achieve what everyone wants – peace, food, clean water, shelter, safety, community, and love; by using the Golden Rule. Its seems to me that one of the fundamental reasons that humanity continues to be divided is because of religious beliefs and ethnicity. Most of our differences are based on skin color and the exclusive status rooted in that they were chosen by God, or my way is the only way. I read something that rang true for me “It’s not that we believe dogmatically that is important, but how we behave towards each other and all sentient life.”

Even though we may all have a different version of God there is one thread that is woven into the core of all spiritual practices – the Golden Rule. Together this is the place where all paths come together to bridge our collective knowingness and link us as One joining our heaven and earth.

Let me share where I found the golden thread of oneness:

“Do unto other as you would have them do to you…” – Matthew 7:12, Christian text

“As a man sows so shall reap.” – Galatians 6:7, Christian text

“Treat others as you would be treated. What you like not for yourself dispense not to others.” – Abdullah Anssari, from an Islamic Sufi text

“Hurt not others with that which pains you yourself.” – Udanavarga, Buddhist text

“What is hateful to thee, do not unto fellow.” – Rabbi Hillet, from the Talmud

“Do not unto others what you would have they should do unto you.” – Analects, Confucian text

“This is the sum duty: Do nothing unto others which, if done to you would cause you pain.” – Mahabharata, Hindu texts

“A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated.”

Sutrakritanga, Jain text

Spirit/God knows no differences between us. I would said to my daughter know and listen to your heart, feel what is right and true and you will know God and there will be no separation.

To all of you I write this from my heart to your heart.

Love, Stephanie

Visit my website for an updated schedule and learn about smudging and Medicine Wheels at: www.stephaniephelps.com