Principles and Laws for a Better World
By Corinne McLaughlin

The Ageless Wisdom provides guideposts to help you create a better life for yourself and for humanity. This Wisdom is often described as the golden thread that connects the inner, hidden teachings at the heart of the world’s religions, East and West. It’s referred to as the “Perennial Philosophy” because it’s been present on earth in some form since the beginning of recorded history. Rather than demanding belief in dogma, the Ageless Wisdom takes a more scientific approach. It presents hypotheses to apply in your daily life and test for their truth, as only those truths tested and applied in your own experience have meaning and bear fruit.

Principles, as presented here, are embodiments of truth to which your soul or inner essence responds, giving a clear, inspiring direction to your life. Each principle is linked to a law, which is its outer expression or manifestation.

Essential Divinity is the principle that recognizes the Divine Presence in every person--regardless of race, age, gender, culture or religion—and in all life on the planet. Awareness of this Presence opens you to participation in a Life greater than your own. Inner Divinity is the fundamental, universal energy or life underlying all forms on earth--the omnipresence of God/Spirit—God Immanent. The inner revelation of this principle illuminates your relationship to the One Life and your interdependence with all parts of that greater Whole.

Over the temple of Delphi in ancient Greece was written, “Man, know thyself and thou shall know the universe and the gods.” In the ancient Hindu scripture, The Bhagavad Gita, Krishna said, “Having pervaded the universe with a fragment of Myself, I remain.” Buddha proclaimed, “Look within: thou art the Buddha” and St. Paul wrote in the Bible about “Christ in you the hope and glory.” Although revealed in all the world’s scriptures, today there is a far more widespread recognition of this inner Divine Presence in all life, whispering in your ear: Be still and know that I am God.

Spiritual Approach is the law that governs everything that is your next, rightful, evolutionary step. It’s motivated by a sense of “Divine discontent”—wanting something beyond your current experience. A spiritual approach is based on your relationship to “The One in Whom we live and move and have our being.” It brings spiritual values into your daily life and work. As you celebrate the sacred in everyday life, your life becomes uplifting and you bring greater light into your daily environment.

A true spiritual approach maintains a balance of vertical and horizontal alignments: on the vertical axis, you align to your soul, to God Immanent (God within you), as well as to God Transcendent (beyond you) and the Divine Plan. You feel a flow of energy connecting you to these higher states of awareness. But you also align to the kingdoms of nature below, connecting with the mineral, plant and animal kingdoms, as we are all part of the One Life. On the horizontal axis, you reach out and connect with other individuals and groups and with humanity as a whole. Too much of a vertical approach can lead to neglect of relationships and to separatism, isolation or arrogance. Too much of a horizontal approach can lead to being absorbed into conventional thoughtforms or habits, and too easily impacted by others’ thoughts and actions.

Goodwill is the principle which expresses a benevolent disposition towards others and the good of all life. It creates civility and a positive regard for other people. It nourishes the spirit of understanding which fosters cooperation. Compassion, generosity and forgiveness are expressions of goodwill. Identifying yourself with the good of another person or with a purpose greater than yourself develops goodwill.

Goodwill can function as a harmonizing energy and a saving force. It is an atmospheric conditioner, setting a positive vibrational field for accomplishing constructive goals. Goodwill creates a loving environment of respectful relationships that can transform difficult situations. Goodwill provides a guide for conduct in a wide variety of situations, eventually evolving into the active will-to-good and alignment with God’s will.

Right Human Relations is the law which recognizes others as unique human beings who share a fundamental human identity with you and so need to be treated with respect and dignity. This is the Golden Rule, honored in every religion: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Good relationships with others, however, begin with a good relationship with yourself. If you harbor hidden selfcriticism or self-hate, you will bring this same critical or hateful energy into your relationships with others. As you transform yourself and no longer project your own internal issues onto others, you can create good relationships and draw forth the highest in others. The quality of the inner note you sound-- what you actually embody in your inner being-- is what determines whom you attract into your life. Like attracts like.

Unanimity is the principle of unity in diversity, based on identity with others. There is unity of purpose with differences in expression, method and form. It is a subjective union of purpose with others—which is recognized in your heart. It is a cohering force that can be verified by the illumination of your higher mind. Groups in the future will be increasingly held together by an inner, united purpose and aspiration rather than by outer, enforced rules.

The word “unanimity” comes from “uni”—meaning “one” and “anima” meaning “soul”—so it refers to “oneness of soul.” Unanimity is distinct from “uniformity” which means oneness of form-- having the same form or an imposed outer unity. Unanimity is freely chosen and never imposed, as it is experienced on an inner, soul level. Groups and organizations with this approach today are very effective in achieving their mission and higher purpose.

Group Endeavor is the law of a group-conscious, collaborative approach that moves beyond the emphasis on individual spiritual development. Instead, this new approach emphasizes development within groups. Group work is primarily energy work-- learning to absorb, share, circulate and then distribute energy from higher spiritual levels through the group and out to the world through some form of service. Unanimity is the cohesive force or glue that integrates group endeavor.

Groups in the new cycle will be gathered around an idea, rather than around a charismatic person. Top-down organizational approaches and authoritarian methods are becoming increasingly dysfunctional today. To transform these old patterns, training and practice in the new methods of group consciousness and collaborative work is underway in many organizations around the world.

These principles are both the ancient landmarks of the spiritual path and also the seeds from which a new culture and civilization can truly be built. May they light your way and fill your heart with blessings.