Golden Rule Meditation Exercises

2.12   A meditation on the “gold” in the Golden Rule

Materials required: a listing of the 13 expressions of the Golden Rule. To access this listing, click here. To avoid printing all five available languages, select only the language you need.

Steps:

1. Prepare yourself
   Prepare yourself for meditation by any means that you find to be effective. You may want to consider Appendix 4: Tips for preparing for meditation and reflection.
2. The Golden Rule
   In a slow and reflective fashion, read the 13 expressions of the Golden Rule. Take as much time as you need with these writings.
3. Is there gold in those words?
   Spend some time reading and reflecting on the article entitled “Discovering the ‘gold’ in the Golden Rule”.This article focuses on the symbolic power of gold and its universal appeal across history. In many languages, gold functions as a metaphor for what is most valued in human experience. As a medium of exchange, gold has often functioned as a universal standard. Interestingly enough, gold has also managed to symbolize a universal ethical standard (e.g. the Golden Rule).
   

   Take as much time as you need to reflect on this article.

4. Digging deeper for gold
   You have had some time to reflect on the 13 expressions of the Golden Rule and the article on gold. How do these two interact for you? To aid your reflection, consider one or more of the following questions:
   1. Does the article on gold give you a deeper understanding of the Golden Rule? Explain.
   2. Which of the 13 versions of the Golden Rule relate most directly to the content of the article on gold. Explain.
   3. Can you make a connection between the “value” found in the Golden Rule and the symbolic “value” of gold as expressed in the article? Explain.
   4. Are there ways in which the article on gold does not relate to the 13 Golden Rule statements? Explain.
   5. How do you understand the “gold” in the Golden Rule?
5. In your own words
   Given your reflections thus far, how do you now interpret the meaning of the “gold” in the Golden Rule? Compose a brief summary statement that captures this meaning for you.
6. Going deeper
   Read the written reflections you have made throughout this meditation. To deepen your reflection, consider one or more of the following questions:
   • What was it like for me to do this meditation exercise?
   • At what points during this period of reflection was I moved? Inspired? Challenged?
   • What questions or issues have been raised for me?
   • What new insights have I gained in this process?
   • What did I learn about myself?
   • As a result of this meditation, what aspects of my life might I consider changing?
   • As a result of this meditation, I feel moved to…..
   • What did I learn about the Golden Rule? About gold and its symbolic meaning?
   • What did I learn about the world we live in?
7. Record your thoughts
   In your journal, record any thoughts, reflections or insights garnered in Step #6 and in the entire process.
8. A group experience
   For instructions on how to adapt this meditation for a group experience, see Appendix 3: Application to a group experience.