| Many people have enjoyed watching the movie, | | | | this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Also in |
| The Da Vincni Code. At the end of the movie, | | | | (NIV) Matthew 5:38, it says " If someone strikes |
| Tom Hanks says "maybe human is divine." That is | | | | you on the right cheek, turn to him the other |
| what this article is about. The Hebrew scriptures | | | | also." Now doesn't this sound excessive to you, |
| were probably good at helping new societies since | | | | unless the human being is divine. |
| it covered a lot of basic rules on how to live in a | | | | Instead of me putting up a list of how we should |
| good way. | | | | treat others, you can create a list of how you |
| But Jesus rebelled against this and taught people | | | | would like others to treat you. Then you could |
| to forgive others instead, hence the saying "turn | | | | follow that on how to treat others. This needs to |
| the other cheek." The basic message of Jesus | | | | begin and end with you. You are not really doing |
| was not that He was going to die to get rid of | | | | this for others but for yourself. If you help |
| the Adam and Eve curse. So what was it? We | | | | someone thinking that you are doing it for him, it |
| can use the process of elimination. | | | | will make you resent helping him if he treats you |
| Did He tell people to love a certain building or place | | | | badly. Jesus taught to do unto others as you |
| like a temple? No. Did He tell people to love a | | | | would have them do unto you. |
| certain idea and kill other people who are against | | | | The reason that you do this is not for the other |
| it? No. Did He tell people to love or worship a | | | | person but for you. By doing this, it opens doors |
| certain book? No. He said "Love thy neighbor." Did | | | | and helps you to discover the incredible beauty |
| He say "Love thy neighbor if they are good in | | | | that is inside of you. By hurting others, it closes |
| your judgment and they have the same beliefs | | | | doors for you making it harder to feel your true |
| as you?" No. Did He teach that the sacred or holy | | | | nature which is perfect peace, endless love and |
| thing on this planet was a book (like the bible), | | | | unlimited happiness and way beyond that. It is |
| place, building, belief or chalice (cup)? No. | | | | better to help strangers that you may never see |
| He taught that the holy or sacred thing on this | | | | again. By helping friends and relatives, you may be |
| planet is the human being. But people were | | | | doing it expecting something back from it. The |
| searching for the Holy Grail (cup or dish used by | | | | act of helping stranger could be called random |
| Jesus). Well, search no further. The true world | | | | acts of kindness. When someone is treating you |
| treasure can be found by you looking in the | | | | badly, they are giving you their good luck. So |
| mirror. It is you. And this is the one thing on this | | | | enjoy this gift. If you treat them badly, you are |
| entire planet that deserves love and respect, the | | | | giving your good luck to them. |
| human being. That was the basic message of | | | | There is a new psychology called Positive |
| Jesus. | | | | Psychology. You can read about it in a book called |
| There are some modern day sayings like "Those | | | | Authentic Happiness (© 2002) by Martin E.P. |
| who know, do. Those who don't know, teach." | | | | Seligman, Ph.D. He is the Fox Leadership Professor |
| Then there is one, "Talk is cheap." Another is | | | | of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, |
| "Actions speak louder than words." Now you can | | | | the director of the Positive Psychology Network |
| ask any medical doctor or anthropologist if Jesus | | | | and the former president of the American |
| was a fish, camel, tree, a wheel or a human being. | | | | Psychological Association. Among the 20 books he |
| They will tell you that He was a human being. So | | | | wrote are Learned Optimism and The Optimistic |
| besides teaching this outrageous notion that a | | | | Child. Andrew Weil, M.D. says "Martin Seligman is |
| human being is divine, He lived it. He demonstrated | | | | the leading spokesman for the new movement of |
| what He was teaching with His life and actions. | | | | Positive Psychology, which focuses on mental |
| This is by far the harder thing to do. Did Jesus | | | | health rather then mental illness." |
| say that He was the light of the world and no | | | | He teaches how it is better to focus on increasing |
| one else? | | | | happiness instead of getting rid of mental |
| Some people are concerned about mistranslations | | | | problems. It tells about a study they did in a class |
| of the bible so here are several of them. Jesus | | | | where they had people go out and have fun. |
| said the following to His disciples according to the | | | | When they got back, they let te others know the |
| King James Version, (Matthew 5:"Ye are the light | | | | results. They enjoyed themselves. No surprise |
| of the world...." In The Jerusalem Bible, He says | | | | there. Then they went out and did altruistic acts |
| "You are the light of the world...." In New | | | | where they help other people. They came back |
| International Version (NIV), He says "You are the | | | | and reported the results. They had life changing |
| light of the world...." In the New American Bible | | | | experiences. One guy decided to change his |
| (NAB), He says "You are the light of the world...." | | | | major in college due to it. So that is something |
| Jesus says (Matthew 7:1) "Do not judge, or you | | | | you can do to help yourself. |
| too shall be judged." Jesus says (Matthew 7:3) " | | | | The cover story of Time Magazine January 17, |
| Why look at the speck in your brother's eye | | | | 2005 is about Dr. Seligman and the group he put |
| when you miss the plank in your own." Jesus says | | | | together (which includes Dr. Edward Diener-- AKA |
| (Matthew 7:12) (NAB) "Treat others the way you | | | | Dr Happiness) to form the Positive Psychology |
| would have them treat you: this sums up the law | | | | Network. The article is called The New Science of |
| and the prophets." In NIV "So in everything, do to | | | | Happiness. Copyright 2008 by Chuck Bluestein. |
| others what you would have them do to you, for | | | | |