Jesus’ quoting of the “Golden Rule” according to which we are to do to others as we would have them do to us, is usually the opposite of what we are inclined to do—that is, treat others as they treat us. Thus, a strike on the cheek, is reciprocated in kind, and a curse is responded to with a counter-curse. When this occurs, we can have the illusion of being in control, whereas we are actually only captives whose sense of self, self-worth, moods, words, actions, and reactions are largely determined by the way others treat us. Implementing Jesus’ strategy for gaining our inner freedom, and thereby becoming who we truly are, seems (at least initially) like enslavement and the loss of self. Jesus acknowledges this feeling, but still insists that he who tries to save his life, will lose it; while he who seems to lose his life by not returning evil for evil, will truly gain his life. Succeeding in this daunting endeavor is not the work of a day, but rather that of a lifetime. And so, if you’re not engaged daily in this struggle to treat others as you would have them treat you, then its crucial to begin right now!