This is http://www.essayz.com/a9710162.htm Previous-Essay <== This-Essay ==> Following-Essay Click HERE on this line to find essays via Your-Key-Words. {Most frequent wordstarts of each essay will be put here.} ========================================================== %METACOMMANDS GOD NEIGHBORS FAMILY INTEGRITY 971016 Metacommands are the basis for the integrity of lower level commands and how the affirmations implicit in lower level commands are to be maintained. The metacommand to love God with the whole heart, mind, and soul is given meaning in saying that God is Love and that all of us are Children of God, members of God's Holy Family with security known as the freedom to be safely vulnerable in open and honest personal relationships. The metacommand that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves affirms that our neighbors are members of God's Family in Love --- interdependent as are members of a close-knit, healthy family which is not significantly threatened by powers outside which might overwhelm interior powers. It also affirms that we are to take good care of ourselves because we can care for others no better than we care for ourselves. The commandments against violence, coercion, abuse, dishonesty, stealing, and degradation of others and whole communities are but explications of the above --- spelling out what will flow naturally by internalizing the above commandments in the heart, mind and soul. If we understand the metacommands, we recognize such behaviors as repulsive without even being told that they are. (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy) ==========================================================