toward others and thereby apply “like begets like” in a higher way:
Quit finding fault with others and others will quit finding fault with you … And let this be a new experience for you—to recognize the abilities as well as the faults. (3544-1)
This suggests a shift in focus—for a very good reason. We know that nature abhors a vacuum. It is not enough to stop a bad habit. Better to substitute a positive and constructive act or thought to take its place. For example, when I was working as an engineer, a supervisor seemed to check up on my work more often than necessary and that irritated me. When I recognized my reaction, I realized that I could choose a different one. So I chose to use his checkups as opportunities to clarify any questions I had about the project. This gave me an entirely different feel about his visits, for I then saw them as a help to me. I was surprised to find I began to look forward to his coming. We eventually became good friends.
Anyone can find fault. The wise person finds ways to encourage others in the turmoils and problems of life. A smile, a word of praise, a hope, a sharing of an uplifting thought, or a bit of humor are great alternatives to faultfinding. By use of these suggestions, instead of finding fault we then apply “like begets like” in a totally different way and create rewarding results in our lives.
When we are tempted to find fault, we can consider this concept from the readings: Every one of us has a place. Like trees, we come in a great variety, but we each have our place. The other person may be a pine and you may be an oak. Therefore, you can’t expect that one to be or act like an oak, like you. People are different—God bless them. Let each do it his or her way, you do it your way!
In view of the operation of “like begets like,” our ideal should be to see the good in others and not judge them or find fault with them. We have an ancient precedent for that view in Jesus’ statement, “Love your enemies and pray for your persecutors.” (Matthew 5:44) Doing this, we emulate the Creator “who makes his sun rise on the good and bad alike, and sends the rain on the honest and the dishonest.” 16 The key here is to treat everyone with love. That’s the ideal. You thereby apply “like begets like” in the highest way. Then, by that law only the highest and best will come back to you.
TO ACHIEVE THE IDEAL
So that we can achieve the ideal, all of us need some way to check up on ourselves to determine (1) how we are using this law and (2) whether or not we are improving. To do this checkup, the readings often suggested an interesting process: Stand aside and watch yourself pass by; that is, stop and review what you have been saying, doing, and thinking. Review your last contact with someone—why did you say what you did? How did you feel about it? Would you do it the same way again if you had the chance? Does it measure up to what you feel would be the ideal way to act?
Such an analysis of your actions provides a foundation to use in making changes and improvements. By such evaluation you are able to discern how you are unknowingly applying the law. You, then, are able to make any changes required to act more nearly in accord with the ideal.
These steps of analysis, evaluation, discernment, and comparison with the ideal are vital to your growth and to your transformation. The steps do not and should not include at any point a judgment, conclusion, or decision that says you are wrong or deficient or a failure, or suggest anything that implies guilt or a put-down of self or a need for fear or condemnation. It is such criticism or judging that is an unwise use of the law. Don’t do it to yourself or to others.17
From long experience, I can tell you that the process of standing aside and watching yourself go by is one of the simplest and most effective tools for personal growth I have ever found. The first time I tried it I was appalled at what I saw! As I sat down for lunch that day, I was feeling very stressed and dissatisfied. I began to stand aside and look back at myself as I had lived that morning. I watched myself severely criticize the hotel clerk when I checked out. I felt my anger as I condemned the manager of the repair shop for not having my car ready when promised. I saw myself in the meeting I had attended expressing very judgmental opinions of two of my associates. Then to top it off, I realized I had just been rude to the waitress who was serving me! I found myself trying to rationalize all this, but there was no denying that the picture was not a pleasant one. As a result of this process, I began to try to make changes in the way I dealt with others. I began to watch myself even as I interacted with others. It is a powerful way to begin to know yourself. As you look at what you are actually doing and compare it with your ideal, you have clear and direct evidence of how you need to change.
Opportunities to misuse the law of “like begets like” come by the trainloads—opportunities to judge, gossip, criticize, resent, hate, condemn, be jealous or envious, angry, vicious, contentious, grudging, speak harshly, etc. If we can be alert when these opportunities come, we can tell ourselves, “No, that’s not my train. Mine is the train carrying hope, joy, peace, cooperation, understanding, forgiveness, love, confidence, trust, and peace—and that’s where I’m going!”
LIKE BEGETS LIKE IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER
Edgar Cayce once gave a reading at the request of the daughter of a man who had disappeared, leaving a suicide note. One of the reassurances Cayce’s source gave to her was that if she would put her trust in the Higher Power, she would find that:
… the love of the Father will sustain you; and that love, as it will be manifested in the lives, the activities, the hearts, the presence of your fellow man, will bear you up. For, like begets like. (378-29)AR
This case shows us that the law is so important it even operates in our relationship with the Father. It also presents us with a startling requirement: we need to first trust Spirit if we are going to have a relationship with Spirit and derive the benefits of it. This is not to say that at any time God does not trust us. But if we are to be aware of that trust and to bring the fruits of that into our lives, we first need to set the law to work for us by trusting God.
The fact that we must take the first steps in our relationship with our Creator explains why those who follow the intellectual approach alone can’t make the breakthrough to understanding the spiritual. “Like begets like” means we must take the first step in spirit if we wish to know, experience, or manifest the spiritual.
THE CHOICE IS YOURS
In using this law, we can dispense love and cooperation and friendliness or faultfinding or judgment or hate. We have the choice. There are many ways in which we apply this law. Which do you choose to create in your life:
tolerance or intolerance
courage or fear
gossip or support
open-mindedness or narrow-mindedness
faith or fear
patience or impatience
joy or sorrow
peace or contention
forgiveness or grudges
condemnation or acceptance
While there are apparently many choices, there is only one fundamental decision required of you about how you apply this law: Will I choose the high road, living in accord with the flow of peace, love, and joy of the Universe? Or will I choose the low road of faultfinding, judgment, condemnation, and selfishness? Whichever road you choose becomes a part of your life and your destiny.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS CHAPTER
The law:
