I've always tried to live by The Golden Rule. As I observe the words and actions of many political and religious leaders, I'm often baffled. If The Golden Rule applies, then how can this person think or act in this way? And how can other people listen to their words and observe their actions and actually agree with them?

The Golden Rule from 13 Different Religious Perspectives:

Baha'i Faith
Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself.
Baha'u'llah, Gleanings

Buddhism
Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.
The Buddha, Udana-Varga 5.1

Christianity
In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.
Jesus, Matthew 7:12

Confucianism
One word which sums up the basis of all good conduct....loving-kindness. Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.
Confucius, Analects 15.23

Hinduism
This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.
Mahabharata 5:1517

Islam
Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.
The Prophet Muhammad, 13th of the 40 Hadiths of Nawawi

Jainism
One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated.
Mahavira, Sutrakritanga

Judaism
What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary. Go and learn it.
Hillel, Talmud, Shabbath 31a

Native Spirituality
We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive.
Chief Dan George

Sikhism
I am a stranger to no one; and no one is a stranger to me. Indeed, I am a friend to all.
Guru Granth Sahib, pg. 1299

Taoism
Regard your neighbour's gain as your own gain and your neighbour's loss as your own loss.
Lao Tzu, T'ai Shang Kan Ying P'ien, 213-218

Unitarianism
We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Unitarian principle

Zoroastrianism
Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself.
Shayast-na-Shayast 13.29

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List Compiled by John Milan & Paul McKenna

The Golden Rule is a way of stating how to positively use the Universal Law of Cause and Effect which applies everywhere and in all things. The cause is a thought, word, or action by you. The effect is the result you will get from that thought, word, or action.

You've heard the saying, "What goes around, comes around" or that giving and receiving are just the opposite sides of the same circle. It is absolutely true. And its time that we all practice this principle much more diligently.

Have you ever contemplated who the "other" is, referred to in these teachings? My interpretation is that the "other" represents any being on this or any planet, reality, or dimension. To many people that is quite a stretch of the principle. It is my truth. It is what The Golden Rule means to me. I don't step on ants. I treat dogs as nicely as I would a small child. Plants and crystals are my friends. And I practice harmlessness.

Knowing how to treat others is so simple. Ask yourself if you were in their shoes, would you like this to be said or thought or done to you? And then take the appropriate action based on the answer. If your words, thoughts, or actions don't uplift or empower another, then make another choice.

How do you want to be treated? Then treat all others that same way.

If you want to feel joy, then do things that bring joy to others.

If you want to know love, then learn and express true love and acceptance of everyone. O.K. no-one said this was always easy. But this Universal Law holds whether you want to participate or not.

If you don't like it when people talk about you behind your back, gossip about you, or judge you, then stop judging others - that means everyone in your field of perception. Not just your family, co-workers, and friends or enemies, but also people in the news, political leaders, movie stars, even terrorists. You can look at the actions of another with discernment, deciding whether spending time with them or taking the same actions yourself is appropriate. But when you begin to judge whether it is right or wrong, then you are telling the Universe - through the law of cause and effect - that you are ready to be judged by others.

I said the law was simple. I did not say the law was easy. It can be, of course, but it requires a great deal of letting go of what is right or wrong, good or bad. It requires rising above polarity or duality consciousness.

There are a few nuances about the Law of Cause and Effect that are important to explain.

First, you can't be attached to your giving or to how the Universe will supply you with what you are asking for. Many people give in order to receive. They think to themselves, "I'll give this money to this church so that God will give me money some other way." But that is giving with strings attached. So any money you receive will also have strings. You should give, instead, as an affirmation that the Universe is an abundant place and you KNOW you are abundant and money is ever flowing to you. Not you HOPE you are abundant. You KNOW you are abundant.

How do you achieve knowing? As in all things, you have to recognize and then transform all of your disempowering beliefs - including your belief in lack - into Divine truth.

Second, you have to allow yourself to receive. This is where trying to consciously apply the law of cause and effect stops working for most people. Subconsciously, they do not feel worthy of receiving. They feel they aren't good enough to receive love, money, acknowledgement, friendship, good health, happiness, etc. As long as you feel unworthy, you will never receive the things you desire. You can work from morning to night and still never have anything because deep down you don't feel you deserve anything. Again it requires healing.

Third, you always receive through precession. You never receive from straight in front of yourself. Another way to put that is, you never receive directly back from where you give. Buckminster Fuller coined the term precession. It means that when you are looking straight in front of yourself anticipating money or love or whatever to come your way, it won't. It always comes to you at a 90 degree angle away from center. One might say that "The Universe brings your supply from left field." If you are putting your attention on a project, or a person, that is not where you will receive. Something completely unexpected will come to you from the side - usually in the form of an opportunity, one you very often miss.

The perfect example of precession is how my former husband, Raven, entered my life.

I had taken the time to write down all the things I wanted in a relationship. I then completely surrendered and let go of my attachment to ever actually having the perfect person in my life - no strings, no expectations, totally fine with or without it. I learned to love and accept others.

One day I was intuitively guided to go to a particular store to introduce the owners/managers to a product I was promoting. I got all dressed up with presentation in hand and headed out the door. I was very nervous.

As I entered the store I caught the eye of a very attractive man. We smiled at one another and I proceeded to the counter to give my little presentation. Lucky for us, the store manager was a very "in tune" person. When I asked if he would like a demonstration, he looked at me and then over to the cute guy I'd seen, and asked the cute guy to come over and have the demonstration. The cute guy could then tell the manager what he thought.

I didn't make any sales that day. I was focused on business and instead the Universe handed me my future husband - Precession.

Of course as you grow and evolve, your desires often change. My husband and I grew in different directions and the relationship eventually ended. Had I healed more things first, I may have met someone else entirely.

If you continue to heal and grow and are open to receive, watching the subtle signals that are happening all around you all of the time, you will be blessed with love, wealth, kindness, and the other things you have given freely without need for their return.

Blessings to your journey,
Deb