Come to think of it, it is a philosophical question, but as most such questions do, it does have a bearing on our lives. What is more rewarding: a relentless material pursuit, or walking the path of inner peace? While they are not mutually exclusive, we are required to prioritise one over the other. Should we focus on being successful even if it means being ruthless and at the cost of our relationships (hopefully not our moral values and principles)? Or, should we settle for less and give greater preference to our family, passion, inner calling and so on?
In our tradition, many mothers are seen to take their children to a saint for blessings saying, “Please bless them so they grow up to be good human beings.” For them, this was the most important thing in life: to be good. Everything else works itself out one way or the other, they would say. As a saying goes, “It is nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice.”
Altruism
Goodness without wisdom is often painful and rarely useful. No doubt that for a believer, a higher energy grants everything. If you really think about it, however, there is always a medium which is usually another human being. And one way to connect with other human beings in this world is to be good. The more good you are, the more lives you will touch. And the more you touch more lives (or touch a few lives more), the greater the number of beautiful memories in your consciousness. These positive and kind memories come at your rescue every time you feel lonely or down. After all, if you notice, you will discover that you feel lonely when you have drifted away in your world of memories. Moments of togetherness, kindness, compassion make up happy memories. Moments of arguments, misdemeanour, rage and abuse etc. are the building blocks of sad memories. The former makes you warm inside, and the latter bitter. The one who has understood and absorbed the inherent nature of goodness will never feel lonely. A disciple asked his master, “How do I overcome this feeling of intense loneliness?” “Never think anything is out of place,” he replied. “Everything in life is where it should be. When you accept that, you then have much to look forward to.”
Wonder what that is? The most gratifying relationship is the relationship with peace. Which, I may add, is not possible without a lifelong subscription to goodness. Being good is more rewarding in the longer run than anything else you can imagine. It pays and it pays big dividends. Goodness is the seed of genuine hope. Any kind act you do never goes unnoticed; one way or the other, Mother Nature will pay you back multi-fold. It always does. When we are on this planet, we have a responsibility of propagating goodness for ourselves, our loved ones, the society and the world at large. The seed of greatness you carry in you, that divine light you wish to experience, begins by stroking the fire
of goodness in you. When it rages, it consumes all negativity and self-interest. Next time just notice the sky soon after it has rained. The beautiful blue sky empty of all clouds, ever serene and washed with unearthly newness. That is what a good heart is like; carrying no traces of defeat and negative emotions towards yourself or others, it is tranquil in its own splendour. Be good, be gentle.
– Om Swami –
