The Game of Life and How to Play It – Chapter 3

The Law of Love

By Katarina Caspersen (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

If you've been following South Sac Blog, then you know that I have been reviewing a very interesting book entitled, The Game of Life and How to Play It, by Florence Scovel Shinn. This short book was written in 1925, and I would describe it as an outline of life's principles based on Shinn’s Christian spirituality. My post for Chapter 1 is here, and Chapter 2 is here.

In Chapter 1, Shinn introduces her concepts by explaining that for most of us, life is a struggle. But that is because we don’t realize that life is a game, and we are not playing by its rules. Those rules are not specifically taught in schools as such, or even in homes. Although some people may stumble on a few of them over time, and even apply them with good results. Living by these rules, according to Shinn, will bring you true happiness and success.

Shinn goes on to write in Chapter 1 that life is a game of giving and receiving. Always remember the Golden Rule: "Do unto to others as you would have them do unto you." But take this a few steps further. Shinn reminds us that just thinking ill of someone is the same as actually performing a bad act. So instead of thinking evil, think and visualize good. You must learn to see clearly in your mind the accomplishment of your goals. This includes removing all mental images of negativity, or evil. So learn how to visualize yourself achieving your goals - and practice regularly!

In Chapter 2, Shinn introduces us to the New Thought principle of prosperity, which holds that God is the ultimate supplier of everything that is good, not your employer, and not the government. God is our supply, and this is true for every situation or need. So remember to pray, and pray correctly. Shinn reminds us that Jesus gave specific direction for how to pray. She quotes Matthew 21:22: “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” So when you ask in prayer, you must believe that you already received it.

So now on to Chapter 3: "The Power of the Word." This chapter seems to me to be a further extension of the Golden Rule. In Chapter 1, Shinn warns that you should not think evil of another, and this chapter is an elaboration of that principle. Words have power, and Shinn cautions us that whatever you voice, you will attract. And sometimes, the results can be literal. Speak of a certain disease often enough, and you are likely to attract it to yourself.

Therefore, you must remind yourself only to use your words for three purposes, to heal, bless, and prosper. That includes what you speak about others, for what you wish for another, you are actually wishing for yourself. This leads us to what Shinn calls the "Law of Love." She references Jesus' new commandment from John 13:34: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." Of course it makes no difference whether you considered another person to be your friend or your enemy. You are still directed to "love one another." After all, anyone can show love to your friend, but try extending your hand to your enemy.

Indeed, Shinn says that expressing love to one another in this Game of Life takes "every trick." 

I can think of an example from current events that demonstrates how difficult it can be to practice this principle. A few days ago, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch made some remarks that seemed to ignite a hailstorm of hate and discontent.

When speaking to the LGBT community after the recent attack on the Orlando nightclub, Lynch said:

“The good in this world far outweighs the evil. Our common humanity transcends our differences, and our most effective response to terror is compassion, it’s unity and it’s love. We stand with you today because we grieve together, and long after the cameras are gone will continue to stand with you as we grow together in commitment and solidarity and in equality.”

After making these comments, Lynch was ridiculed for suggesting that the way to fight ISIS is with love.  Read her comments carefully. When I do I feel she was saying we must show love and compassion to the victims of terrorism.  But even if she was saying that we should respond to  terrorists with love, those sentiments seem to be a perfect expression of Jesus' new commandant, love one another.  The responses were terrible, however.  Someone wrote: "Attorney General’s Plan To Fight Terrorism Translates Loosely To ‘Hug It Out.’" Another questioned if the Attorney General was "really that naïve?" One stated with disgust: "According to Lynch, the ultimate weapon in the fight against radical Islamic terrorism is… love."

So Lynch's statement, seemingly based on profound Christian principles - the Law of Love as Shinn would say - was misunderstood and poorly received. Those that attacked Lynch cannot seriously consider themselves to be Christian. Consider this passage from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Practicing the Law of Love in this world does seem to invite a sort of crucifixion. But the reason there is so much hate in this world, is because there is not enough love.

In Chapter 3, Shinn began writing about the Power of the Word, and finished with the Law of Love. If I could distill Chapter 3 into one more Rule for the Game of Life, it would be this: Because words - spoken or unspoken - are so powerful, and because violating the Golden Rule has karmic consequences, you must not wish harm on any person, only love. Love protects.

My chapter reviews are not meant as complete summaries. They are not a substitute for reading the book yourself. Shinn provides many examples and anecdotes to make her points that I do not include in my brief blog posts. They help to explain her spiritual teachings much better than I could.