Truth and Beauty
Page: Key Principles for Health and Happiness

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Eight Key Principles for
 Health & Happiness

The following principles have been found to be universally true and are agreed on by all major spiritual traditions.

Recognition of a Higher Power
All the spiritual traditions point to one truth – a Life Force permeates all of creation; a Supreme Power orchestrates the symphony of life and determines the overall path of history. An ultimate Oneness subsumes all things within it. This Being is the source of all things as well as personifying an unconditional love that embraces everyone without discrimination. In special moments we can sense this mysterious Presence around us and within us. In times of hopeless helplessness, this Power becomes the only source of rescue and deliverance after all human attempts have failed. (For biblical references see Ps. 104:24-30; Isa. 46:9-11; John 11:25; Acts 17:25-28; Rom 4:17; 2 Cor. 1:7-10; 1 John 4:8, 16.)

Appreciation for Life, Contentment and Gratitude
Each of us was born and one day will die. Between these two extraordinary events is the mysterious process and precious opportunity we call “life” – a wonderful experience to be enjoyed and a great enigma to be solved. Our nature consists of more than just the physical, and life should be a journey of self-discovery which in turn would lead to a heartfelt appreciation – a deep gratitude for being here at all. Every experience can be valued when it is understood in the context of the whole life process – even the “bad” experiences play an integral part in the unfolding of our lives. So be deeply thankful for all of life’s wonders – your loved ones, special opportunities, health, wealth, success, the surrounding beauty. All of these are however also transitory, so while fully appreciating them, avoid becoming overly attached. Being without strong attachments will help us accept the losses in life with greater equanimity. (For biblical references see Eccl. 12:7; Zech. 12:1; Rom. 8:28-39; Phil. 4:11-13; 1 Thess. 5:18; 1 Tim. 6:8; Hebr. 12:1-13; 13:5; Jas 4:13-15.)

Humility,  Acceptance and Submission
All spiritual traditions emphasize the importance of humility – acknowledging our personal insignificance before the awesome Lifegiver. Although we think we are in charge of our lives, in reality we are not. We do not choose to be born or when we will die, neither our bodies, personal gifts or idiosyncrasies, as well as much that takes place in our lives. Also important therefore is an attitude of acceptance that whatever happens to us is within the will of God – this will enable us to give up our personal agenda. Our inability to accept experiences that seem to be against our self-interest results in suffering. Acceptance allows us to glimpse the Oneness of Life – that all is working toward a greater overall purpose. At a point, suffering will force us to reach beyond an intellectual understanding of God to the experience of love. Only the power of divine love can transform suffering into something meaningful. Ironically, it is through submission that we find spiritual freedom. (For biblical references see Luke 14:7-11; James 4:1-16; 1 Peter 5:5-11.)

Love and Selflessness
The saints and sages agree that love is the key for humans to transcend the self and find spiritual meaning in life. At the heart of all spiritual traditions is a universal principle of reciprocity – the Golden Rule – that encourages us to treat others as we would ourselves wish to be treated. The universal rules of morality help people live together in harmony. With love as an underlying motive, one will naturally act towards others within these parameters. Another universal law is that if we treat others well, life will treat us well – paradoxically, only through selflessness will we find personal fulfilment. Conversely, if we act selfishly, we will suffer. (For biblical references see Lev. 19:18, 34; Matt. 19:19; 22:39; Acts 20:35; Rom. 2:14-16; 13:8-10; 2 Cor. 9:6; Gal. 5:13-14; 6:8-9; Jas 2:8-13.)

Personal Growth
The spiritual path is a process of weeding out character flaws and cultivating wholesome personal qualities of love and selflessness. Most spiritual traditions teach a combination of personal effort and reliance on God’s grace in mastering our egos. (For biblical references see Rom. 3:23-28; 7:14-25; 8:1-13; Gal. 5:16, 25; Eph. 4:14-15; Col. 3:5; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18. Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26.)

Faith and Positivity
Faith is believing in the love of God even when times are bad; confidence that there is meaning in the seemingly meaningless; deep trust in the purpose of God and its outcome. The perception of any event depends on our thinking about it – nothing is negative or positive in itself. Therefore if we view life in a faith-filled, positive way – as a gift of God through which a higher purpose is being worked out – we can make the most of whatever happens. Faith and positiveness are also an antidote to fear and worry – stultifying emotions which can keep us from full participation in life and poison our appreciation of the miracle of existence. While life often seems a serious business, it can also be good to lighten up and see the humour of our predicament. (For biblical references see Acts 20:22-24; Rom 8:18-39; Phil. 3:7-11; 4:4-8; 1 Pet. 1:3-9; 4:12-19.)

Mercy and Forgiveness
Life can be seen as a process of gradually expanding our awareness. We all start out as confused and egocentric, so it is inevitable that we will make many mistakes. Therefore, it is important not to judge others for their mistakes, but to reach out with forgiveness. This is an act of great generosity for it involves loving the unlovable, accepting the unacceptable, and seeing our enemies not as intrinsically bad but as tragically trapped in deception and suffering through their selfishness. (For biblical references see Mic. 7:18; Matt. 6:12-15; 9:2-6, 36; 13:10-13; 14:14; 18:21-35; 20:34; Mk 1:41; 11:25; Luke 6:37; 17:3-4; 23:34; Eph 4:32; Col. 3:12-13.)

Seeking Higher Values
The spiritual path is the process of understanding of and moving toward a union (oneness) with the divine. Since everything in life is impermanent and fleeting, the spiritual masters encourage investing less energy in material pursuits, but rather seeking higher values – the ultimate reality, which transcends death. The path to God also requires the ability to embrace paradox, such as being detached as well as fully present in the drama of life, making our own effort as well as relying on grace, differentiating good from bad but going beyond both. (For biblical references see Ps. 37:4; Matt. 6:33-34; 19:29; Mark 10:29-30.)


Reference:

Timothy Freke,   Encyclopedia of Spirituality: Information  and Inspiration to Transform Your Life (Sterling Publishing Company, New York, 2000).

 

 

 



 

  


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Truth
About God
The Experience of God
The God of Grace
Amazing Grace
God's Grace and Mercy - Another View
God's Grace in Small Things
Walking with God
God's Gifts and User Manual
God's Loving Care
The Dynamic God
Our Awesome and Incomprehensible God
God, Creation and Truth
The Common Aim of all Godly Religions
Living Buddha, Living Christ
About the Bible
Bible as the Word of God
Inspiration of the Scriptures
Another Reflection on the Bible
Truth Versus Facts
The Bible at your Fingertips
Letter from a Loving God
Book About Basic Bible Teachings
About the Universe
Nature and the Universe
Life's Origin
Our Unique Planet
Mind of the Universe
The Nature of Creation and Existence
Metaphysical View of the World
Order, Beauty, and Harmony - Part 1
Order, Beauty, and Harmony - Part 2
About Humanity
Nature of Humans
Of Creators and Creations
Truth and Perceptions
Our Present State and Divine Potential
Hidden Treasure Within Us
Precious Balls of Clay
Intertwining of Humanity and Divinity
Conversion
Finding One's Mission in Life
Living with Paradox
Scripture Bell
The Potential Good Within Evil
About Health and Happiness
Key Principles for Health and Happiness
Twelve Laws of Spirit
40 Spiritual Principles
Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
Wisdom from Rumi
Aspects of Spiritual Life
First Things First
Disciplined Living
Compassion
Listening
Experiencing Joy
Each Day is a Gift
Dealing with Suffering
Living in the Present
Other Aspects of Living in the Now
Choose Life
Dealing with Change
Acceptance
Prayer
Prayer -- Another Perspective
Serenity Prayer
The Lord's Prayer
Prayer to Magnify God
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Pax -- the Peace of God's Presence
Let There Be Peace on Earth
Human Relationships
Children About Love
Inspiration from the Lives of a Godly Couple
Desiderata
References
Beauty
Skies and Seas
Glorious Sunrises
Beautiful Skies
Awesome Sunsets
Beauty of the Sea
Seaside Beauty
Trees and Flowers
Trees and Shrubs
Flowers in Bloom
Rose Garden
Beautiful Orchids
Animal Life
Australian Birds
Birds on Water and Land
Beautiful Creatures
Friendship of Kitten and Parrot
Other Animal Friendships
Parks and Gardens
Toowoomba Flower Festival
Riyadh Parks and Gardens
Spring Time
New Life
Spring Flowers
Flower Close-Ups
The Waterside
Water Edge
Water Mirrors
Artistic Expression
Art of Jindrich (Henry) Degen
Three Dogs Knowing
Beautiful Actions
The Cab Ride
Dancing in the Rain
Angel in Disguise?
Angels at Work
The Crocheted Tablecloth
Love in the Midst of Tragedy
Children's Innocence
Special Day
~ References ~
Free Downloads
God and Creation
God is Love
Identity in Christ
Love, Joy and Obedience
Nature of Truth
Thoughts about Life
Learning and Growth
Thoughts on Life and Death
Abandonment to God
Wishing You Well
Your Comments
Contact Us