Imagine being told you could do whatever it is you wanted to do. Let's just, for a moment, ignore "An it harm none"... What do you think a typical reaction would be to that suggestion of 'doing what you please'.. Do you think most people would be horrified--their first reaction or response would be that chaos and destruction would then rule supreme? ALL of us, someplace in those little unrecognized areas of our subconscious might also think that 'do as you please' is a ridiculous idea. Could this be because we (good ol' enlightened us!) possibly do not truly believe in the innate goodness of mankind and in the Divine Order and Unfolding of everything??According to Seth there should be but ONE commandment: Thou Shalt Not Violate. ....'violate' meaning the same as 'harm.' Seth further says: Thou shalt not violate against nature, life, and the earth... which pretty well covers everything... But, we must be careful not to over simplify -- this one 'commandment.' Viewed through some of our troubled filters, beliefs, and ideas, we can misunderstand and start judging. Our Inner Being, intuitively does know what it means and how it applies.
An It Harm None would require having an attitude of allowing towards others whose ideas and beliefs might be different from ours. Do What Ye Will doesn't mean we are free to rob a store in order to get money so you don't have to work. Or to smack somebody upside the head because we dislike what they have done or said. Justifiable as it may sometimes seem...that is still a violation. An It Harm None also includes doing no disrespect to yourself...not just others.
Doing as we will does imply that we have a right to not listen to or adhere to the rules of the status quo... We do not have to conform and be like everyone else. Dressing in a way that is purposely offensive to others can be harmful...Not necessarily inflicting physical harm...but doing mental and emotional harm to another with the intent to debase or humiliate them; showing no respect. Neither can we claim a 'violation' against us just because those crazy Goth kids are all dressed in black. Wearing a bikini to a funeral is pushing towards the violation catagory! Even if we find that someone else's demeanor may be 'insulting to us' ...Remember the Four Agreements: Don't take it personally. Judging others is NEVER honoring ourselves.
When it comes to our personal choices, be it what we say, do, or how we 'act' --it all comes down to one thing. Intent. We inwardly know if our intent is based in love (allowing) and well meaning or if we have an unrecognized or not admitted to hidden agenda.
Abiding in Love is not about being 'goody goody'... but allowing...and trusting that the Guidance from within is really there for us. If we intend to harm none it means we are willing to listen to the voice within. It is important that we Intend is for our Highest Good and The Highest Good of All Concerned. If we have ill intent...it WILL come back to us....What we give out is what we receive... I'm not positive about the 'times three' ...but times once...yes indeed.
What Seth is saying, and what is meant by the Rede, is the same thing that Abraham talks about. "You have to stop giving a fig," as Abe says, "about what other people think," --about what others expect from you, and what other people say about you. We have got to do what makes us genuinely and sincerely happy. We still have jobs to go to, chores to do, etc etc and even though we may be overly thrilled each and every time, we make 'our appointed rounds'... If its a real struggle, maybe things need to be re-evaluated.
When we follow our heart, we FEEL our connection with Source...and amazingly, when we are feeling that connection...the Love and Joy spreads to others. They then benefit from it!...if they so choose. Serving others can only 'work' when we feel genuinely happy about what we are doing (or how we are serving)... and not by being motivated by fear, guilt, or the word 'should.'
This means letting go of so much of what we have been taught is the 'right thing to do according to everybody else.'
This may all sound selfish...but its a good selfish. It's honoring the self. We can't give away what we don't have....including love for ...and acceptance of ...self.
We cannot expect from others what we deny ourselves. It's amazing how upset we can get over even the tiniest things that others may say or do. But don't we do the same thing to ourselves at times? So much of it is simply learning to Let Go ... with with the spirit of love and trust. I recently found out the true meaning of the words Letting Go...because of the crossing over my much loved cat, Rowan. Letting Go sometimes means giving up all reasoning and intellectualizing... and just turning it over to the Source and believing and trusting in the Divine Order of things.
