The Fifth Divine Principle seems straightforward: “Share what you gain from your efforts with others in need, in a balanced way, to not harm the self or loved ones, who rightfully have priority.” But here as well, no two people will likely make the same choices and decisions in following this guidance. Can you help us better understand what corresponds to sharing in a “balanced way?”

The best way we can describe this, to make it as understandable as possible, would be in reference to the Golden Rule. No two people are alike, and so the standard each would come up with in what to give away and what to keep for the self will vary. Each person will see things differently and will have different attitudes and feelings about what is fair and what is balanced. So there can be no absolutes here, and as we do not judge, we will not weigh in and intervene, so this is all self-determined and will inevitably reflect those individual differences and characteristics. In the same way, this implies one needs to reserve judgment about others, knowing you have a biased perspective inherently in seeming to be a separate individual, with your own needs being felt quite strongly, and especially coming from a history of being preyed on by others, this can sensitize a person to be wary of trusting others and even allowing a relationship where there may be risks involved, potentially. This is all part of the picture of what needs to happen to make things better. So the golden rule is of value here because it can apply a self-standard to all such questions. In this way, each person can reach a balance within themselves based on their own perspective about what they need personally. So if they value a certain freedom, whether it is freedom from criticism or ridicule, or simply an honoring of their freedom to come and go without suspicion, they can see in treating others what they would like to have as their circumstance. And if they apply that same standard, it might not be ideal for the other person because they might be more restrictive in some respect, but what will happen is—if the person extends to another what they would wish to have happen for themselves, they are creating through their actions a balancing of give and take that is the best they can arrive at given the constraints imposed by their soul makeup and the overlay of all recent and past experience molding and shaping them through the slings and arrows of fortune. So this is the most one can ask of anyone. You cannot expect someone to be and act differently than they are. That is unrealistic and is too heavy a burden, but if they are being themselves and true to themselves, and extending that courtesy and standard to others, they are doing the best they can from their own capability to meet everyone as an equal in their way of thinking, and that is all one can expect of another.