5. Engaging with Our World
5
ENGAGING WITH OUR WORLD
What are some of the principles which we should embody if we are to live together well?
(1) We should recognize that life is corporate. Many do not recognize this. They still look on life as an individual thing. The consequence is that they are continually in trouble with other people. They want to turn whole situations to themselves, instead of relating themselves to the whole. . . . They look at what they can get from the whole instead of what they can give to it. . . .
After we recognize that we are corporate we must proceed (2) to fix our loyalty to the group in which we are in immediate contact. There are degrees of loyalty of course. There is the loyalty to oneself, one’s family, one’s group, one’s nation, and the kingdom of God. Our final loyalty should be to the kingdom of God. Where loyalty to that conflicts with any of the lesser loyalties, then the lesser must give way and the kingdom must remain supreme and final. . . .
(3) Loyalty to the group should mean that we will never criticize any member behind his or her back. . . . Criticism should always be open and frank and always redemptive. . . . You cannot have fellowship, if you know or suspect that secret criticism is taking place. . . . [A] motto on our Ashram wall is this: “When about to criticize another, ask three questions: (1) Is it true? (2) Is it necessary? (3) Is it kind?” If it can pass these three tests, then the criticism should be given openly and frankly.
Religious people are in the business of endeavoring to be good; they are therefore tempted to point out the faults of others, so that by implication they themselves may appear better. It is a miserable business. . . .
(4) We should not only be willing to criticize another for his or her good; we should also be willing to take it for ourselves. And rejoice in it. Many of us are willing to give it, but we hesitate or refuse to take it for ourselves. No one has earned the right to criticize another unless he or she welcomes the possibility of criticism by others. . . .
(5) But we should be on our guard that we do not thus become petty, always seeking for something to correct in others. We should perhaps be more inclined to compliment and encourage than to correct. We need not be afraid that we will make people proud, for sincere souls are often more humbled by compliments that by criticism. . . .
The emphasis should be on the search for the good, for people are made more by compliments than corrections.
Victorious Living
(Week 42, Sunday–Wednesday)