For several months now I have received information from "Initiatives of Change", the current organization that grew out of Moral Re-Armament (MRA). I read the material and I certainly understand the importance of changing ones life to a higher road, but I find the articles from this organization to be complicated, indirect and hard to grasp. Their material is probably great for intellectuals, but I just find it hard to grasp their current goals and philosophies.
When MRA sponsored Up with People in the early years, until 1968, their 4 "absolute standards" of Purity, Honesty, Unselfishness and Love was easy to understand. Sure, each person had a slightly different view on what those 4 standards meant, but at least we had a direction. I frequently found myself reviewing my life to see if I was striving to raise my personal standards around these 4 "absolutes", never quite achieving my goal, yet striving none-the-less.
A fifth principle I came to value in my life was the practice of "individual guidance". Many times in my life I have stopped for a few minutes to "listen" to the higher voice inside. The times I wrote down those thoughts have provided value to me even years later. Re-reading my thoughts sometimes gives me directions that I tend to forget over time. I just wish that I had incorporated this practice in my daily life. I am sure I would be better for it.
I think that the problem many of us had with MRA and "guidance" is that some of our directors or associates had "guidance" for us or other people. I never did quite see it. I have come to believe that we can receive light for our own personal edification, and for our family, but I sincerely doubt that we receive guidance to tell others what they should or should not do. This seems to be much of the problem with the world today, people thinking that others should do something, or believe in some way similar to their own. It could be that some people in MRA miss-used this gift and decided to inflict their own enlightened views on others. This may be why some of our friends over time came to dislike MRA or any reference to it. In my life, I feel it was a greater positive source than a negative one. I speak of this, because I left UWP in 1970 then returned in 1975. I saw a huge difference (naturally).
Then I saw the show in 1997 and wow, what a difference. But at the same time I felt something deep inside. I felt this uplifting source of power that I had always carried with me, but often forgotten, that I could be better than what I was. That I could do more for others than what I was doing. That I could raise my efforts to eliminate the negative forces that come with this world. That I could live my life with more purity of thought, be more honest with my family and friends, do more unselfish works without expecting rewards, and love all human beings just a little more, no matter what their beliefs, or upbringing.
Though years later UWP did not ever mention these 4 forgotten standards, I did not forget, and I am a better man for it. Thanks to all of my old friends who gave of themselves unselfishly (is that a word?) to me during the early days of UWP.
AFN (all for now) Mike.
(03-25-2003)