Principles
Principle 91
Goodwill
To understand love to its fullest the seeker must understand and practice the trinity of aspects which are brotherhood (includes the sisters), friendship and goodwill.
We must first recognize that we are all brothers and sisters and seek to look upon the soul in others. When the other party looks back with a friendly spirit then the feeling of brotherhood comes into the consciousness.
Secondly, we must extend the hand of friendship to all who are willing to receive.
Finally, the true seeker must become a radiant center of goodwill, desiring what is best for all, whether they agree with him or not, whether they like him or not and whether they understand him or not.
Perhaps Jesus gave the greatest example of goodwill when he said:
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Matt 5:43-47
The core example given here is God who makes the sun to rise on the good and evil and the rain benefits the just and unjust.
In other words, God is a being who sends forth goodwill to all whether they love him or not. We must do the same.
When we look upon the world and see problem areas, like the Middle East, that which is most obvious is a lack of goodwill. It wouldn’t take a very high percentage of the people sending goodwill to turn the whole area into a land of peace and brotherhood.
The reason for this is goodwill is contagious, just as hate can be. One person exercising goodwill in the midst of negative people draws attention and makes people think about their own thoughts and actions. Goodwill radiates a sense of warmth that people as a whole like and appreciate.
Unfortunately, there are many people in this age who consider themselves enlightened, caring and loving who are way too selective with their goodwill. Jesus spoke of this problem when he said, “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?.”
There are many who are happy to send goodwill to those of their own belief system, but despise those who think differently than themselves. This is glaringly obvious in today’s political climate. I do not think we have seen such a bitter divide in this country since the Civil War.
For example, you may be at a social function mingling with several people who seem friendly. Then if you even hint at a political belief that leans left or right, sparks will begin to fly and all goodwill goes out the window. The group divides in two and they now can’t stand each other.
The divide is so strong today that goodwill is often ignored. It doesn’t matter. A true seeker must still send it forth. It will have an influence and when enough people focus on goodwill instead of ill will the tide will turn and people will seek to understand each other.
We may not always agree with each other, but good will and understanding will bring us to right human relations.
The next time someone insults you, calls you a name or disagrees with you do not attack back but let him or her know you only wish him well.
No government is safe unless fortified by goodwill.
Cornelius Nepos
Copyright 2016 by J J Dewey
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