Eric Butterworth wrote that our goal is not to set people right, but to see them rightly. Once we understand this truth, it transforms us and our relationships with others. It gives us the power not to judge by appearances and not to follow negative emotional patterns.

Let us consider a practical situation: someone offended us. How do we need to see it from the spiritual standpoint?

First, let us realize that a person with whom we have a conflict is not our enemy. He is our friend in disguise.

There is divine nature of love within every man and woman in the world, including ourselves. Pure and unconditional love knows no strife or division. It is the perfect harmonizer of all the relationships, for it recognizes connectedness of all people and all things. So often we don't live in accordance with this love, yet it is still present.

A person could seemingly enjoy rude and unkind behaviour, but his or her soul always suffers. Lack of expressed love results from deep emotional traumas of the past. Due to ignorance, that person could not receive the necessary healing and erected around himself/herself defensive walls. That one cannot be called happy and fulfilled individual. The will of God is not to punish that person, but restore to original wholeness and the fullness of love.

Second, that person was brought to you for a reason.

"But I haven't done anything to provoke his/her anger", we may respond. Perhaps it is true - but there are other aspects we need to take into the consideration.

The great law of life is that nothing happens without reason and purpose. But it would be too simplistic to think in terms: "I've done something wrong and deserved punishment". No, God doesn't punish anyone. We should rather look at the situation in this way: "God and the Universe lovingly provided me this lesson so that I might grow in wisdom and inner strength".

Beware of such reactions as "I am right and he/she is wrong" or "I am an innocent victim". They won't make you happy and won't lead to any constructive activity.

Don't feel that you are a victim, no matter what circumstances might say, and you will make a major step toward fulfilling your goal. You will wind the way to use this situation for your advantage and soul unfoldment. There are no outside enemies! All our possible enemies are within, and they are our negative attitudes.

Third, our interaction with that person is a channel of positive influence.

This influence is not rationalistic. We might hope to persuade the other party that he/she is wrong, but our attempts would mostly be in vain. Arguments with angry, bitter, and resentful people produce little results.

So, what can we do? We can show peace and love. We can demonstrate uncommon strength of character. Our spiritual influence will be translated through invisible channels and bring forth good results in due season.

Forth, let us remember that love doesn't mean submission.

Perhaps we all heard people who said, in essence, "if you love me, you should do what I say". These are cruel attempts to manipulate another person which have nothing to do with love. Love should imply mutual respect and freedom, otherwise it is a form of emotional codependency rather than love.

Let our wisdom guides us. It is possible to be strong and ready to defend our rights, but in the spirit of love. The Spirit of God within us is not weak or submissive, and it is the Spirit of Love we should manifest.

(to be continued)