The basic concept of The Way to Happiness is to provide individuals with the rules they would need to follow in order to walk the path of a happy and fulfilling life. The twenty-one precepts outlined in this booklet are based on common sense and are actually quite simple for an individual to comprehend and apply in his everyday life, often to the great benefit and relief of many.
A Tent of Hope and Reconciliation
One of the many precepts outlined in The Way to Happiness is “Try Not to Do Things to Others That You Would Not Like Them to Do to You”. Sometimes verbalized in other ways and often referred to as “The Golden Rule”, the idea behind this rule is for individuals to be mindful of others around them, and act according to how they wish to be treated by their fellow man. While it may seem quite a simple concept, it can have wide ramifications in a country that is constantly torn by war.
The “Tent of Reconciliation” is located just before Tel Aviv’s Cinematheque, and it devoutly applies the basics of The Golden Rule as bereaved Israeli and Palestinian family members come together, amidst the sirens, smog and explosions of war, in order to talk with one another. As these individuals share their personal tragedies and heartache, they seek to spread the message that if they can talk together, so can others–both the people of their country as well as the leaders.
The “Tent of Reconciliation” is now often felt to be one of the most optimistic spots in a city that is otherwise being torn apart by violent actions. It offers bereaved family members something they have long been desperate for–a glimmer of hope that reconciliation may actually one day be possible. They recognize the fact that their actions in coming together may not be viewed by all in their country as appropriate, but they honestly feel that they are a silent majority with great power to change the conditions in their country and in the world, and it is time to make their voices heard.
Each and every day, the tent is crowded with people, young and old, children and grandchildren, newcomers and veteran activists, who don’t know where to turn or what to think, and who are deeply confused by the problems occurring around them. In presenting all participants with The Way to Happiness precept “Try Not to Do Things to Others That You Would Not Like Them to Do to You”, the “Tent of Reconciliation” allows an awakening of social consciousness. Those things that one would not like done to them could be seen as harmful and wrong actions, which can then allow the individual to work out what they should and should not do. When individuals and society have no restraint from committing harmful acts, their survival level sinks deeply and everyone is affected. However, by applying this and other basic rules of happiness, society can be healed and strengthened, so that all benefit. In this way, the “Tent of Reconciliation” can be seen as a light of hope in an otherwise dark and confusing city and country, and those individuals who see it as such are already benefiting greatly from its power.
