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Advanced Course in Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism414
And Dharma does not teach that because an undeveloped and ignorant
man may think it “right” to commit crimes against his neighbors, that he
should be allowed to do so without hindrance or restraint. While no one
would call a cat “bad” who would steal, or a fox “bad” who would kill chickens,
still one is perfectly justified in restraining these animals from pursuing their
natural instincts to the injury of man. And likewise with the “criminals” of
society, while recognizing that their actions are the result of undeveloped
minds and souls; ignorance, failure to live up to even the elementary ideals
of ethics possible to them; we are justified in restraining them from preying
upon us. But the idea should not be “punishment,” but restraint and reform.
Criminals are practically savages and barbarians, and their acts while entirely
“wrong” when seen from our present viewpoint, were seen as “right” from
the viewpoint of the savage. And these criminals should be treated as
younger brethren of the race—undeveloped—ignorant—but still brothers.
The rule of Dharma is for each man to live up to the best in him—no
matter whether that “best” has been impressed upon his soul by revelation,
intuition or conscience, or by his intelligence in accordance with “utility.” In
fact all three of these influences have impressed him somewhat, and his
“best” is a composite of the three influences. When in doubt, open yourself
to the light of the Spirit, and your “best” will stand out clearly under the
illuminating influence. That best will be your Dharma.
And another rule of Dharma is to refrain from criticising or condemning
the Dharma of another man less developed than yourself. He is not looking
through your eyes—he is not standing in your shoes. He may be living
nearer to his highest ideal than you are to yours—how dare you judge him?
Are you so near perfect that you set your standard up as the absolute? Will
your highest ideal—and your best action—measure up creditably when laid
next to the yard stick of the Absolute? Did you ever stop to consider that if
you were in exactly the condition of that lowly brother or sister you would
do exactly as does he or she. You cannot imagine yourself in exactly their
condition, for you can think only of yourself as you are, and when you try