The teachers gave us a set of 9 Laws, which operate on 9 associated Principles, producing 9 associated Attributes. See Archangels_Laws_Chart.

This is the first of a set of articles on the Principles.  First, an overview.

What is a principle? Here are a couple of definitions from dictionary.com:

1) A fundamental, primary, or general law or truth from which others are derived, e.g. the principles of modern physics

2) An adopted rule or method for application in action, e.g. a working principle for general use.

In general, we could say that a principle names or describes something which has been found to be a recurring and common experience, an observable phenomenon. Because it’s a common experience, it is considered to be foundational or fundamental, supporting or explaining other experiences. Judith expressed the importance of understanding the “creative power of life” principle, that life is creative by nature and unlimited in potential.

If one has a belief system built upon beneficial principles, one will create and experience beneficial things. It is to our advantage to incorporate perspectives and response patterns which consistently bring benefit to ourselves AND others, because if others are benefited, then our experiences of them will be beneficial as well.

Reading, writing, and arithmetic are considered foundational to the learning process. Similarly, the Temple Teachers have proposed a foundational set of principles, which, taken as a whole, are designed to assist us in spiritual growth and evolution to our greatest individual and group potential, the moment by moment and ultimate enhancement of All That Is.

This could be considered similar to what “religions” propose with their principles, but the proof of the pudding is in the taste thereof. The Teachers urge us to prove that their principles and suggestions are beneficial by using them, not blindly accepting them.

-Seymour Lovejoy