Goodness is the essence of all things. This may be difficult to perceive when we see pain and challenges around us. But many things unfold with divine complexity and we can only see a small piece of the picture. The essence of all things is divine. Viewing all in this way, being good and pure in thoughts, words and actions, leads to contentment and satisfaction. These are ways to divine vision. God who created all, sees all with eyes of love. All beings are beautiful. All acts are devoted and all is in harmony with the divine. In the limited human vision only our singular, narrow view is good and right. But when the story is told from another’s perspective, that individual often feels he is right and good while others concerned are not. 

A hawk searching for a rabbit for lunch will be fed if it finds its fill. From the rabbit’s perspective the hungry hawk means death. But if the hawk doesn’t eat it will die too. As a vegetarian this seems difficult to accept that nature must eat another living thing to survive. But this is from my limited and small minded view. I love the conversatton between Krishna and Arjuna at the moment that Arjuna is about to go to battle. The two are in a chariot driven symbolically by Krishna. On the opposing side are friends, teachers and relatives who Arjuna must fight. He collapses in despair and says that he can’t kill those who have been so dear to him. Krishna rallies him saying that whether Arjuna chooses to fight or not those who are meant to die will die that day. He goes on to say that Arjuna can do his duty and go down in history as a courageous warrior or be considered forever as a coward. Krishna goes on to say that the immortal soul that is embodied in all cannot be be killed and remains forever unaffected by any of this divine play. From that higher perspective all happens as it is meant to and all is divine.

For today, try this simple practice. See good. Be good. Do good. This is the way to the Divine.  See all as good. Find the goodness in every situation and in every person. It requires effort because the mind has the tendency to search for the wrong and the thing to criticize. By shifting perspective, this practice radically transforms and advances one on the spiritual path. Allow the vision of goodness to extend to the Self. Goodness or Godness is the essence of all in existence. This vision transforms us into one vast family. It’s a practice that leads to heart opening and unconditional love.

Bio: Debra Moffitt is author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life. A visionary and teacher, she’s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices at the Sophia Institute and other venues in the U.S. and Europe. Her mind/body/spirit articles, essays and stories appear in publications around the globe and were broadcast by BBC World Services Radio. She has spent over fifteen years practicing meditation, working with dreams and doing spiritual practices. Visit her online at http://www.awakeintheworld.com.