“Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” Matthew 7:12
This scripture from the New Testament is one of the most well - known and oft quoted, and has become an adage for many who are Christians and many who are not.
It is simple yet direct, offering good insight and advice about how to think, speak and act to others. It also offers a teaching about life, living and our interactions with others that accurately and concisely mirrors the teachings of both Yoga and Buddhism.
Of course, in our day to day living, we have forgotten such advice or have had a difficult time putting it into practice. Many times, in our greed, desire and ignorance, we do things to others that can only be described as being abusive, but sometimes border on the horrible. What makes it worse, is that at times we justify it, but when we are called to account we may deny it, only ask for forgiveness or point out that “everybody does it”
Perhaps we can not handle the results of our actions, or just want to get away with our wrong doing by saying that everybody does it or that we have been victimized in some manner also.
In order to really practice this teaching we need to have the ability to look at others as being our equal, with a degree of loving kindness, compassion and understanding. The New Testament also advises us to do this.
In ours and others actions each day that are built on greed and desire, we fail to treat others in a divine manner, and thereby do not gain the many benefits that are brought our way from such an action.
Yoga and Buddhism tell us that through kindness to others, we are cultivating joy and other worthwhile attributes within.
This act of kindness can manifest itself in various ways. It does not mean that we serve humanity when we do not have the time, money, energy, opportunity and skill to do such a thing.
We do not have to join the peace corps or travel to Somalia, Ethiopia or some other troubled spot in the world.
In can be done in our own country, neighborhood and family.
Maybe it starts with being able to listen to others.
Listening to others begins with respecting others and seeing their similarities to us in both the positive and negative.
We can also be kind to others when we are gentle with our words to them. There is no wisdom in making harsh statements to others to their face or behind their back, especially when they have been open or vulnerable with us.
What about material gifts and gift giving? Do we do it because it is the time of the year to do such a thing, such as when Christmas comes once a year?
It is hard to say if such an action cultivates the divine in others though the idea of Christmas and Christianity is really all about the divine within us all.
Hopefully we have the ability to give of ourselves in ways that are greater then a material gift so that not only do we cultivate something greater in others, something that is divine, but that we are cultivating the same within.
©2006 John C. Kimbrough/Yoga is for Better Health and Living