Show Me the Right Way to Go

iman July 18th, 2009

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An excerpt from something I have been reading:

“He remembers his mother telling him doing the right thing will always make him happy.”

Will doing the right thing always make us happy? When we do good, or what we deem to be the right thing, is it done selflessly or is it merely an ego “happiness” boost? We know that merely imitating prevalent societal norms will never lead us to the spiritual heights we aspire to reach, so it becomes necessary to be better informed, educated and spiritually discerning  when making decisions.  Key to this decision-making process is the element of selflessness.  This may be contrary to present ideals where benefit-to-self is highly emphasised. With personal interest always lingering in our thoughts, doing the right thing is often most difficult as we grapple with “disconnection” from self in making decisions based on impartiality and using the laws of God as our benchmark:

The second attribute of perfection is justice and impartiality. This means to have no regard for one’s own personal benefits and selfish advantages, and to carry out the laws of God without the slightest concern for anything else. It means to see one’s self as only one of the servants of God, the All-Possessing, and except for aspiring to spiritual distinction, never attempting to be singled out from the others. It means to consider the welfare of the community as one’s own.

Abdu’l-Baha : The Secret of Divine Civilization

What are some of your own reflections on this theme? Your comments are welcome.

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2 Responses to “Show Me the Right Way to Go”

  1. # Kerii on 21 Jul 2009 at 11:16 am

    This is powerful Iman. Thanks for sharing.

    K.

  2. # Arina on 04 Aug 2009 at 4:35 am

    “Just as the wave cannot exist for itself, but is ever a part of the heaving surface of the ocean, so must I never live my life for itself, but always in the experience which is going on around me.” Albert Schweitzer

    I think that doing good deeds is simultaneously self-less and selfish. Such is the paradox of nature, it seems. Showing mercy shows grace to God, so God in turn can show grace to us.

    “Do not stand on a high pedestal and take 5 cents in your hand and say, “here, my poor man”, but be grateful that the poor man is there, so by making a gift to him you are able to help yourself. It is not the reciever that is blessed, but it is the giver. Be thankful that you are allowed to exercise your power of benevolence and mercy in the world, and thus become pure and perfect.” Vivekananda

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