How Does The Golden Rule Relate to Our Perceptions?

 “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law of the prophets.”

Jesus’ way of living and interacting with others exemplifies this beautiful approach to life, one that is loving and harmonious. When we embody this state of mind, it resonates with those around us, inviting them to also honor one another and be in peace and harmony. Amen to that! 

At its core, this profound teaching emphasizes reconnecting the mind with its inherent nature: the knowledge of its holiness, innocence, and oneness. Spirit is our reality, and Spirit is one; what is one cannot attack. When we release the belief in attack, the foundation for guilt dissolves within the mind. This truth is simple yet transformative: our true Self is innocent of attack.

“You're a perfect, holy, innocent child of God, and the only place you're happy is in your natural environment, which is Spirit, which is eternity!” (David Hoffmeister)

Once we accept this truth wholeheartedly, it becomes possible to perceive any situation as either extending love or calling for love. In this holy perception, the Golden Rule becomes attainable. This is precisely what allowed Jesus to be defenseless; his words, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do,” demonstrate that he had reached a state of perfect peace that transcended the belief in attack. Without recognizing that we are part of a singular mind, the mind that God created, unalterable, indivisible, and pure, achieving this level of peace and transcendence remains elusive.

“I feel like everything that we do in forgiveness, which is just exposing and releasing illusions, is so that we can love. So that we can love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. Literally, as our self. Not like we are loving somebody else, but literally like we have this self-love that just wants to radiate, radiate, and as we give, we receive.“ (David Hoffmeister)

In his book “Jesus: A Gospel of Love,” David eloquently points out that acknowledging and embracing our innate equality as members of the family of God is essential. To see perfect equality, Holy Spirit assists us in giving up the projection of guilt onto others - thereby keeping it within our own mind.  Jesus encourages us to look within and examine every thought, belief, feeling and perception we harbour in our mind.  By doing so, we can appropriately get in touch with the ontological guilt and release it in order to move toward a state of healing and wholeness.

“Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5) 

The intensity of the ego’s guilt should not be underestimated. Vigilance against blame becomes crucial, for blame is the ego’s surreptitious way to avoid seeing the guilt within. This vigilance is essential because blame is one of the hidden ways through which we unknowingly identify ourselves with darkness and therefore need the Holy Spirit to remove our vail of blindness.

“But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 3:14)

Only by unlearning the ego entirely, a process that necessitates the guidance of the Holy Spirit, can we attain a holy perception. In this holy state, unity with all supersedes fragmentation and distortion that cloud our minds. 

“If you are willing, the way will open, for nothing can obscure the innocence the Holy Spirit would have you behold.” David Hoffmeister.