If You Treat Everyone As A Holy Person...

...you will be happy.

This is an often uttered piece of advice in a very sweet little book or parables called The Holy Man. The first time I read this book I thought it was a bright and witty story. I put it down and promptly forgot about it and it's message. I've picked it up and read it a handful of times over the years since I first got it, and that lesson has sunk in more and more each time. Lately I've been trying in earnest to take this message to heart. Considering the humbling experiences of the past couple of years, this is not surprising to me. Still, in this endeavor, I have not always been successful.

It is not always an easy thing to do in the complex world of interpersonal relationships, to treat others as Holy, particularly when they insist on definitely un-holy-like behavior such as swearing at you in the street, belittling you, or acting out in anger. The message's beauty though isn't in its ease as much as in its simplicity: "Treat EVERYONE as a Holy Person..."-- not be forgiving to everyone all the time; not be friendly with everyone. Instead, remember that they are holy, no matter how impossibly un-holy they may act, and respond to them accordingly, as you feel a holy person should be treated.

..."and YOU will be HAPPY"...
Notice also that the message does not promise that you will be successful, well liked, more respected, smarter, or better; merely that you will be happy. One can assume that happiness will bring these other things, but that is up to the individual. The message, in this sense as well, is very simple. Do this and this will be your reward.

This is not easy to follow, but simple without being trivial in any way, and you know what? I believe it.

I am going to try.