The Three Gates Challenge

Only two more days on the Three Gates challenge. After this, I think I’ll have it on semi-automatic, and won’t need to think about it consciously as often. I will be discussing this on tomorrow’s LIFEWRITING LIVE (at noon Pacific tomorrow January 30 on my FB page. Later on Youtube). Here are my thoughts.

1. In combination with the Three Centers (Body, Emotions, Mind) the Gates (Is it True? Kind? Useful?) are as fine a basic standard as I’ve ever encountered. The “Golden Rule” kicks in as soon as you feel the connection between yourself and other humans: that is both Truth and an outgrowth of a heart that feels safe.
2. TRUTH is slippery, and of course not everyone will agree with what you believe or know. There is the very real question of the degree to which you can trust your senses and thoughts, yes. But within the context of everyday life, you HAVE to trust SOMETHING, or you’ll be lost in confusion. People who do not trust themselves end up looking for someone else to trust, and if, as an adult, you place trust in others more than your own heart, you are totally at their mercy once you’ve swallowed the hook.
3. TRUTH is not foolishness. If you have a thousand dollar bill in your shoe, and are taking it to pay your daughter’s dialysis bill, you have no obligation to tell a mugger that there is money he’s missed. Yes, you not only MAY lie, but you’d be foolish not to. The deeply spiritual might wish to say a prayer later, if they feel that this has soiled their spirit.
4. The answer my teachers most…