|
Growth Online > Knowledge Base > Personal/Spiritual Growth > Spiritual Capacities for Achievement, Growth> Goodness
Source, Nature of Goodness Expressions of
Goodness
Goodness
Goodness
Birth of Goodness
On Goodness -If we find one who fits this description, he will be a shining star in the society, endowed with strength and abundance. (MSS) [Many who we consider "good" are not so in the sense of the true meaning of GOODNESS as defined above. E.g. people endowed with no talents, are considered good, as they do not meddle in others' affairs. It may be good behaviour but not real goodness. Or pious people who we consider good are often not truthful. Or people who are inefficient, weak, poor, or lazy in life may be ones we still consider good people. There are many examples of people who we consider good who lack Goodness according to our definition. -Growth Online]
On
Relationship Between Goodness and Truth -In the creation process from a Divine source, Goodness emerges from (the original) Truth. I.e. when that Truth acquires Knowledge in its decent toward manifestation, Goodness is born.
On
Spiritual Origins of
Goodness
Goodness is one of the three aspects of Sat [Existence] - Sat Purusha. Each aspect of Sachchidananda [Existence, Consciousness-Force, Delight] splits itself into some aspects. Sat [Existence] becomes Unity, Truth and goodness. Chit [Consciousness-Force] becomes knowledge and will. Ananda [Delight] resolves itself into Beauty, Joy and Love. When Truth acquires knowledge, Goodness is born. Some people are naturally good. The Divine easily comes to them. They are pleasant, expansive, and ready to oblige, anticipating another person's needs. To them, goodness is a way of life, an instinct, an article of faith. They cannot refrain from being good. Such goodness is found in people irrespective of education, status or other positive endowments. It exists by itself. Good people are in their elements when they express their innate GOODNESS. (MSS, edited)
Goodness and Life Response
Life Responds to Acts of Goodness
Every act of goodness, great or small, is rewarded with good
fortune back to your person sooner or later. It often occurs
instantaneously.
Goodness and Life
Response Every act of true goodness serves the
recipient, while attracting a powerful positive response
back to the benefactor.
Power of Focusing on the Fulfillment of the Client
A wise associate friend of mine recently made the following
claim: "Doing any act for the sake of the ego causes
tension, opens us to pain. ... Do the work for the sake of
others and discover the joy in each act. Self-giving
converts effort into joy."
So today before engaging in a small consulting contract over
the phone, I offered a prayer to the Divine Mother that the
customer should derive great benefit from the service. I
sensed real sincerity behind my aspiration, which is not
always fully the case.
Though challenging and full of twists and turns, the two
hour session was very engaging, and the issues were resolved
through creative, dynamic solutions. There was also real
collaboration amongst the participants.
In other words, as a result of focusing on the fulfillment
of others, the session became FRESH, ENERGIZING and JOYFUL
for me, and SUCCESSFUL for the client, just as my associate
friend indicated. At each point, life seemed to respond with
a new possibility and corresponding right solution that
enabled these wonderful outcomes.
Doing for Others Brings Freshness, Energy, and Joy
When we do any act for the sake of the ego, it causes
tension and opens us to pain. If you do the work for the
sake of others instead, you discover the freshness and joy
in each act.
E.g. when you prepare food, feel the joy and privilege of
doing it for family members. When you go to the office, feel
the joy of earning for family, serving the company, pleasing
the customer, helping one's colleagues.
Self-giving converts effort into joy. (Garry Jacobs, MSS)
Take Interest in Another when First Meeting
The first thing to do when meeting with an acquaintance is
to forget one's own self and focus on the concerns and
interests of the other person. As a result, you will move
from selfishness, from the limited ego plane into the wider
universal plane and flow of things, which will invariably
bring about the best outcomes in the proceedings that
follow. In other words, life will cooperate in full by one's
sincere deference to another.
Deep Listening and Empathy as Indicator of Conscious Life It takes great self-control to not interrupt when another is speaking. It takes equal amounts of self-discipline to empathize with another when you have your own agenda in mind. Both indicate the capacity for of Deep Listening. To demonstrate such behavior one not only needs a restrained ego, but deeply values and respects others. It is one of the cardinal signs one is
leading a conscious, even a spiritual existence.
Untitled Reversing from selfishness attracts.
Relationship between Goodwill/Ill-will and Outer
Conditions
Examine circumstance around you when you are in the presence
of another. If they have sincere goodwill, positive
conditions will continually present themselves. The opposite
will occur for those with insincere goodwill or ill-will.
What they are feeling inside will manifest on the surface.
Rare Combination of Goodness, Wisdom, and Strength
in 'Broken Trail'
In the sequel to the wonderful US Western TV mini-series
'Open Road,' the award-winning 'Broken Trail' portrays a
character who demonstrates an unusual combination of
elevated human qualities -- including goodness, wisdom, and
inner strength. It is rare to see even one of these
qualities in a person, let alone all three. As a result, he
elicits powerful conditions from the world around him.
Set in 1898, the film begins with Prentice "Print" Ritter
(Robert Duvall), an aging cowboy, who wants to buy his own
ranch. For this to happen, he contracts to transport 500
horses from Oregon to Wyoming, where they will be sold to
the British Army. To help him along, he recruits his
estranged nephew Tom Harte (Thomas Haden Church), whom he
also seeks to reconnect with on the ride.
What starts out as a simple horse drive is complicated when
the two men encounter a particularly vile slaver who is
transporting five Chinese girls to a lawless mining town,
where they will face a life of prostitution and indentured
servitude. Compelled to do the right thing, Print and Tom
rescue the women and take them in, but as they continue
their perilous trek across the frontier, they are tailed by
a vicious gang of outlaws sent by the whorehouse madam who
originally paid for the girls. In the end, they prevail over
these exceedingly difficult, and life threatening obstacles,
and are further rewarded for their inner and outer efforts
by attracting romance into their lives.
Against this backdrop of events, Print shows many forms of
human goodness. He is kind to the young girls, generous of
spirit to anyone who crosses his path, and is compassionate
to those who suffer or are in need.
And yet he also has a keen understanding of life situations
that enables him to consistently do the right thing. In
addition, Print shows great psychological and physical
courage in which he is never afraid to act in order to do
the right thing. It is rare enough to observe a truly giving
and compassionate individual; it is another to see those
qualities matched by profound wisdom and great psychological
strength.
Print Ritter is a rare character, a 'ripe soul,' whom each
of us can learn from. I highly recommend the video.
Aspiring for Success of Another Quickly Attracts
Benefit to Both Parties
Having positive thoughts for the success of another
individual or organization tends to attract great benefit
for them (as well as yourself) in short order. For example,
yesterday I expanded my values on a project to aspire for
the well being not just of my own self and organization, but
of various other parties. Immediately after, they each on
their own reported very positive developments in their
lives, which were also helpful to me. Note: I hadn't heard a
peep from them in weeks or months, but now out of the blue
they sent word of sudden good fortune!
The Power of Goodness in Arden Forest Goodness and goodwill are deeply admirable traits for they enrich the lives of others, while eliciting extraordinary positive response back to the initiator. If it occurs in a time and place where there is a positive atmosphere, the response from life can be overwhelming. With such munificent attitudes within such a positive environment, the harshest enemy can reverse himself and melt into the Light. In fact, we see these very circumstance in Shakespeare's beloved comedy and meditation on love, 'As You Like It.' In the story, Frederick has usurped the duchy in France from his elder brother, Duke Senior, who is exiled to a place known as the "Forest of Arden." It turns out that the exiled Duke Senior is a gentle, mild, and good man who responds to his plight and that of his followers with calm and philosophic stoicism, rather than hatred or despair. In exile, he accompanied by four other lords who follow Senior Duke to the forest out of loyalty. On numerous occasions, he demonstrates his goodness, generosity, and goodwill to those around him, including new arrivals who arrive in the forest. Rather than the difficult and harsh life with tension and conflict one might expect from the followers, so many things go right for the exiled party. Because of Senior Duke's munificent character, and the subtle, lilting, joyful atmosphere that issues from it, life conspires to bring about a series of fortunate events. For example, the Duke's daughter Rosalyn -- a famed and cherished Shakespearean character -- quickly finds romance and then marries. Even the daughter of the evil Fredrick leaves his kingdom and finds love in Arden Forest -- to a man who has abandoned Fredrick's heinous conspiracy against Duke Senior! In fact, we witness a breakout of infatuation and mutual attraction among the lovers in that place, culminating in the marriage of four couples! In addition, Fredrick's plot to destroy the party holed up in the forest is thwarted, as the positive, energized atmosphere gives strength to the forces that oppose it. Finally, Fredrick himself has a powerful spiritual conversion, which relieves him of his malice, while handing his kingdom back to the magnanimous and good Duke Senior. In summary, the overriding positive atmosphere of self-givingness, gentleness, and camaraderie serve to attract a plethora of positive results for the party, including four marriages to eight main characters, the astonishing conversion of Senior Duke's enemy brother, and his return as leader in his beloved homeland. It demonstrates the enormous positive energy and power that goodness has over life. One other point about Fredrick's conversion should be mentioned. In this situation, his negative was not so much neutralized and negated by others, but reversed within himself. I.e. with no initiative and action on the part of Duke Senior's side, Fredrick underwent a startling conversion and saw the Light. Such instances of evil turning good on its own are very rare in life. In fact, it occurs nowhere else in Shakespeare. In his stories, negative individuals are sometimes victorious; other times are subdued or consumed. But never do they convert from the negative to the positive on their own -- i.e. seeing the light of Truth beyond their ignorance, falsehood, and evil. And yet in 'As You Like It,' that is precisely what happens. In the final analysis, we too are capable of demonstrating our goodness and goodwill towards others. And we too can generate a positive atmosphere through that effort. As a result, not only will our warmth and affection energize others, but through that self-giving effort, we will quickly attract powerful positive conditions. If that is the case, then why not try this approach today? Focus yourself on the needs and concerns of others the next several times you interact. Then observe as your relationships improve, as emotional sweetness takes hold, and as positive conditions suddenly arise out of nowhere -- as they did for Senior Duke and his followers in Arden Forest.
Esther Summerson's
Goodness in
Bleak House Charles Dickens was one of the greatest writers in the history of Western literature. He was a novelist who excelled at story telling, especially when it came to describing the interactions of the classes of 19th century England. Often he shows how reactionary forces oppress the weak and the innocent, in the name of power and class maintenance. One of Dickens greatest characters appears in his most complex underestimated novel Bleak House is the person of Esther Summerson. She is the personification of Goodness -- perhaps the greatest example known in the modern idiom. I say greatest because her Goodness was integrated with other great spiritual qualities -- even though she was not particularly of a spiritual bent. In other words, hers was integral Goodness. An orphan, she is brought into a situation where she is employed as a companion to a young woman who is vying to win an inheritance in a very complex legal case. Raised by her aunt, Esther's parentage is a mysterious secret, which is finally revealed in the course of the story. Let us examine some of the traits that indicate Esther's Goodness and related spiritual qualities: -She never has a bad word to say about another individual. Even to the meanest and cruelest, she withholds any harsh remarks, unless she is absolutely pressed to. -She helps those in needs at every occasion. -She focuses on the other person whenever in their presence -- withholding her own concerns; always deferring to theirs. -She is quiet and speaks in a soft voice. -She does not espouse philosophy or points of view, even though she has conviction. -She rises to great strength when life prods her to do so. -When she is seriously ill, all she thinks about is others. As they fret over her illness, she is more concerned with their anguish than her misery. -She is extremely calm in the face of negative circumstance. -She frequently knows the truer truth of things; and therefore tends to expresses right thoughts, makes right decisions, and take to right actions. -She asks for nothing and gives everything. -She attracts love from all sides. -She accomplishes greatly through marriage to a doctor she loves, and is given a great house of her own, even though she originally arrived with nothing. In essence, Esther's Goodness is married to Calm, Equality of Being, Equanimity, Silence, Seeing the Positive in the Negative, Fortitude, Strength, and Right Action. Compassion oozes from her every pore. She is a spiritual individual -- while rarely speaking of the Spirit in her daily life. As a result of these qualities, life perpetually responds in her favor. E.g., when she remains utterly calm when she has come down with a very serious illness, life responds with the greatest boon of her life when shortly thereafter she not only recovers, but discovers the identity of her mother, the single great longing and unsolved mystery of her life. Goodness is a great thing to behold in an individual. When it is connected to other spiritual qualities like Silence, Peace, and Strength, it becomes integral -- and therefore takes on great power. There are many who are Good, but somehow fail or fall back due to deficiencies in other areas -- particularly lack of strength. Jesus serves as a great example as he had no power to overcome his crucifixion and death. When Good integrates with other spiritual qualities, one is capable of accomplishing unfailingly -- e.g. there is the sudden resolution of a great problem, or the unexpected uncovering of a dark secret, or the opening to a vast opportunity, to name a few. These each occur for Esther in Bleak House. Some people are naturally good. The Divine easily comes to them. They are pleasant, expansive, and ready to oblige, anticipating another person's needs. To them, goodness is a way of life, an instinct, an article of faith. They cannot refrain from being good. Dickens' lovely character Esther Summerson is a prime example from whom we can learn several of the great lessons of the Spirit.
Consecrating Acts of
Goodness The
Determination to Be Good at Any Age
Spirituality that
Needs Cheerfulness and Goodness
Helping Others Up to
a Point in the Yogic Life Devotees of the Divine Mother who quickly find out that all their prayers are answered start a long chain of prayers for parents, brothers, sisters, friends, etc. It is very good. Most of them will be a success. It is good not to take such efforts to their logical conclusion, but to see one's limits of responsibility or capacity. (MSS) Human Goodness vs. Spiritual GOODNESS Human goodness will have the human aura and will fail on crucial occasions. Higher Goodness will never fail. Unfailing human goodness is higher goodness. [Perhaps we can say that Spiritual GOODNESS (pure Goodness) issues from spiritual experience, as opposed to human goodness that issues out of social or psychological values.]
Good, Evil,
and the True Good
Goodness Also Needs Strength
Goodness Matched by Strength
Strength and Goodness
In Life A good person trying to do good things for bad people is usually showing weakness. Bad people often have strength but are applying it in a wrong way. The good person needs to add strength to his goodness; the bad person needs to add goodness to his strength.
Goodness Requires Strength for Success in Life
One Whose Goodness is Unsuspecting, Naivete Needs Inner
Strength
Overcoming Unsuspecting
Goodness
Strength + Goodness =
Great Accomplishment and Joy
Strength +
Goodness Expresses the Divine
Strength
TO BE CATEGORIZED
Goodness
Gaining, Losing, and Regaining an
Opportunity through Goodness
Not all but at least a few people are
good and capable of receiving the good
things in life every day. But in some
situations, they lose that goodness and
the opportunity goes to their opponent.
But when we make a change, then the same
person comes and gives to us our lost
opportunity back! This is a chain.
(DK)
Goodness & Self-Givingness
Giving and Receiving
At every conceivable point in which you give, life bursts
forth and returns the favor in very short order.
Know Thyself in Goodness and Strength
A reader asks if one should go the extra mile and still be
kind to an abusive patient, even if they curse you for not
giving in to their indulgences.
There is a right balance of Goodness and Strength required
in life. Goodness is beneficial to others, but so is
strength. (They also attract benefit back to you when
applied in the right circumstance.)
In a given situation, one cannot know the answer to such a
question since the context is as important as the question.
Yet we can look at ourselves and begin to find the answer.
How? We are a mixture of positive and negative. We are
wanting in certain areas. We can be wanting in certain
attitudes, while positive in others. When we meet the
situation, we can measure it to our nature. If we are one
who tends to be weak, we can practice strength. If we are
one who takes, we must learn to give. Etc. The real issue is
not how this particular incident is resolves, but to know
ourselves, discover our weak points, and know in any future
given situation our tendency to express them. We can then
reverse as much as possible, as we are conscious of. Now we
will meet the situation with the right attitude, and we will
be growing in the process. "Know thyself," says the
philosopher. All right action will follow.
Inner Harmony of Self Creates Outer Harmony for Family,
Collective
Any individual in a strained family or collective situation
has the power to change things for everyone. I.e. it can
come from the direction of any particular family member.
All one has to do is to find the inner key that is
reflected in the outer conflict, reverse it or act
positively in it, and there will be a change for one's self
and the wider collective.
In the case of one woman, she overcame a certain shyness and
lack of inner strength, saw the difficulty of the current
situation, and made a deep psychological gesture of
tenderness and strength to her son that snowballed into a
chain reaction of goodwill and higher success for others
soon after. Or to put it another way, she made a
psychological effort that created a greater level of harmony
inside that had the very same effect on the wider
field of her family outside.
|
