We start our day with good morning, and end with good night. What is the meaning of this four-letter word?

As a noun, it can refer to our behavior that is morally right or acceptable. It can be something that will help somebody/something: advantage.

As an adjective, it can be having admirable, pleasing, superior or positive qualities; not negative, bad or mediocre, a good teacher, good idea, morally excellent or admirable.

In a spiritual sense, the word good can mean holy, pure and righteous. The Bhagwad Gita teaches that a good spiritual life is achieved through detachment, compassion and selflessness. It also emphasizes the importance of aligning oneself with the divine and cultivating a positive mindset. The Gita speaks about the cosmic conflict between good and evil, which manifests in life as a series of battles.

Swami Vivekananda has several definitions of good.

Anything that titillates our nerves for a moment, we think; as the highest good, and plunge into it immediately, but find, when it is too late, that it has given a tremendous blow.

Disease and misfortune come to do us good in the long run, although at the time we feel that we are submerged forever.

I can secure my own good only by doing you good. There is no other way, none whatsoever…

The greatest goodness is the highest freedom.

I like this quote, dear ones. “There is no good and there is no evil. God is all there is…” How do you know what is good? You feel (it). How do you know what is evil? If evil comes, you feel it. We know good and evil by our feelings. There is not one man who feels only good, happy feelings. There is not one who feels only unhappy feelings.

How do we try to be good?

There is a way, and it is easy-peasy. Do not laugh.

First step: Practice breath awareness. The awareness exercises a very subtle influence on one. The subtle influence is that one is not engaged with one’s thoughts. This happens without us participating. What we are doing now is breathing normally with just being aware of the breath, inhalation and exhalation. This is an activity, which we can do almost all the time. What happens is we become neutral, and we view our actions without reactions.

Second Step: Observe others as you observe yourself. This leads to Atmabhava, love for your fellow beings.

Third Step: Be a karma yogi. Work to the best of your ability.

Following the steps will enable us to be free from fear and therefore be good.

Aim Hrim Klim

Photo by Tj Holowaychuk on Unsplash