14.1 The Three Steps

If you have resolved upon true success in life, that is, to achieve (1) that full living which is prescribed by the spiritual law of action with love and thought, along with (2) the never-closing of that gateway to the inner light that you have opened in your meditations, and if you know that not really you have resolved but something has resolved in you, and if you have said to yourself ``I will'', you will, if you look back, see that you have done three things. The first was to turn your face in the right direction. The second was to keep it there. The third was to make an effort to go forward - not to hurry, but just to drive forward and not stop for anything.

Constantly, for some time to come, you will need to revise these three steps: to see that you are going the right way, to keep from deviating, and to drive on. Put in as much force as you can when you are sure that you are going in the right direction, not before. If you drive forward when you are off the track, you will do damage to yourself and others, and make obstacles for yourself in the future; but if you keep straight there will be nothing to fear.

In order to keep straight remember the three points of the spiritual law. Remember that others also want the things which you seek. Let them have what they want. Never deprive another of that which you value for yourself, whether it be liberty or power, knowledge or learning, love or friendship. If you find yourself trying to gain power over others, seeking to surpass others in knowledge, or to attract the love or praise of others, you may know that you are in danger and must take especial care never to injure another by thought or word or act. Any breach of the law will be punished in some way, for there is no real greatness without goodness.