 |
An essential
thing to understand about people who
practice New Thought teachings is that
high ethical conduct is of foremost
interest with them. |
It is because they believe
that the integrity and accomplishments of the
great avatars, especially Jesus, are the
standards of behavior which are possible for
every person. The beliefs generally reflect
that Jesus example was given us because it
is the potential of anyone who desires to emulate
it. But for the very reason that such a
high precedent exists, there should be little
interest in trying to copy the example of the
morality of any group that urges others to fit
their standards.
This includes setting aside
trying to be perfect. Opening
up to guidance from a deep place within the
Spirit-Self allows a high integrity to evolve
each person. All of us are on our way
toward expressing high ethics in all we do; but
wherever we are at present in achieving that is
all right, even if we are not close to these high
standards. Therefore, all pressure should
be taken off individuals to try to be good.
Emphasis is on allowing Divine Mind to transform
the self into a high excellence of
character. In New Thought, guilt and
self-rejection are avoided.
The bottom line is this:
Divine Mind has made us so that we will
manifest perfect lives. It is an experience
of being evolved by Spirit; our responsibility is
to cooperate with our spiritual nature, and then
we will over time (lifetimes) fully manifest Gods
design for us.
Inasmuch as the New Thought
philosophy promises to liberate people from false
thinking and unauthentic experiences, its true
followers have no interest in being immoral or
unethical. However, we make it similarly
important not to avoid nonconformist behavior
simply because someone else says we should or
must. Our reasoning is that we desire to
comply with our individual nature rather than
conform to other peoples opinions.
It is not natural or normal
to be unvirtuous. Living virtuously is the
most natural thing to do, yet many people
find it difficult. Why? In New
Thought, we say it is because people generally
pursue virtue as a way to conform to the opinions
or pressures of others. Insofar as we
choose to be virtuous because we desire to be
true to ourselves, we do so easily. When it
seems difficult, it is because we are acting out
of duty and a desire to conform.
To conform to others is to
become false to the self. This is because
the only place we can truly meet God is in our
own thoughts. And if we conform to the
thinking of others, no matter who they are, we
cannot be transformed enough through our own
thinking to express fully the individuality
inherent in the persons we were made to be.
It is just as important for
each person to feel good about the self as it is
to live virtuously. Finally, it becomes
clear that to feel good about the self and to
live with virtue is the same thing. It is
simply the natural thing to do.
We need not continue in
anxiety for long even if we have seemingly
uncontrollable urges. The answer lies
within our natural goodness. When we feel
upset, guilty, judgmental or disturbed, it is
because we are trying to act like others want us
to or because we are thinking that no truth
exists. We need liberation, and we can have
it. When it comes to us, we actually feel
good about doing what is right for everyone and
ourselves.
But what about people who
have sexual orientations that are clearly
different than those of the majority?
Should we think about them with judgment because
they may be bisexual or homosexual? And how
should they feel about themselves? There is
one clear answer to all of this. It is to be
a conformist to no one and wholly true to the
self.
When this becomes our confidence and we believe
this, we will eventually become true to
ourselves. Remember that all of us need
correction. For all of us, better morality
results simply as we cease being judges of
others. Also, for all of us, our greatest
difficulty stems from judging ourselves.
We need to decide that our
deepest innermost idea, of how to give ourselves
to lifes causes, is our foremost interest
now. We need to do this because delaying
this desire builds neurotic behavior in us that
increasingly makes our gifts of life
more hidden to our awarenesses. We can be
transformed by the renewing of our minds
and prove that good right now!
New Thought wants you to know
that your innermost urges toward self-expression
are your awareness of Divine Minds Oneness
with you. Relax, and allow yourself
continually to give Its presence your
attention. Any immorality will naturally
fall away. The truth of who you are will
take its place. Neurotic complexes and
conflicts will subside. You only need to
have the idea that you are Good just as you are,
and that whatever further goodness you need to
express will emerge from within you, as you let
yourself simply be who you are. And who are
you? You are first and foremost Gods
child. You are DIVINE!
Back
to Previous Page | Back to Royal
Lessons

Home
Radio | Spiritual
Pathways |
Reverend Royal Satterlee | New Thoughts for the Week | Classes and Activities | Standing
for and on One's Rights | Conquering Harmful Habits | Spirituality and Fun | A
New Kind of Church | Science and Spirit | Bible | Contact
Us | Spiritual
Pathway's Formula | 15 Royal Lessons | Royal
Messages |
High Ideas | God is All Their Is | Ordering
Books and Cassette Tapes | Psychology and Spirit | Some
Religious Science Links | Spiritual Enrichment Center | Benefits
Copyright © 2001, 2002, 2003,
Royal
Satterlee
|