Why Should We Be Good, When Being Selfish Is More Rewarding?-1

Why Should We Be Good, When Being Selfish Is More Rewarding?-1

“Our Soul is a spark of the Divine. It is pure and perfect. Evil deeds merely obstruct our vision of the true nature of our Soul. Through good deeds we can become conscious of this perfection again.” – Swami Vivekananda

Why be good? In a world where greed, corruption and dishonesty dominate, what will we gain by being good? Why must we do good to others, when being selfish is a whole lot easier and often more rewarding?

These questions are immensely pertinent, especially in the times that we live. So if you ever desired to know the answer, here is a powerful explanation that will not disappoint!

“We are all divine.
In each is a conscious spirit that survives the body and the mind and is a part of the Absolute.
The goal is to manifest this divinity within.
Do this either by work, worship or philosophy, – by one, or more, and be free.”
- Swami Vivekananda

The answer comes from Swami Vivekananda, one of the greatest teachers of Advaita Vedanta and a sage who had realized his own soul. It was given in response to a question posed by a disciple, over a 100 year ago.

However, before we proceed to his answer, let us first visit some key ideas, that will make it easier to understand Vivekananda’s point-of-view:

Contrary to what modern biologists tell us, there is a purpose which governs our existence. The highest aim of life, of knowledge, of work, of all religions and spiritual paths is one, and that is self-realization – to discover our true identity, to know who we really our, to uncover our Atman or Soul.

Within each of us lies this divine soul, the source of all goodness, whose presence often goes undetected, because it is obscured by our ego, selfishness, greed and other base instincts, which form a hard shell around it.

“A tremendous stream is flowing towards the ocean, carrying little bits of straw on it.
You and I, are like these little straws carried in mad currents, towards that ocean of Perfection with God.

We may struggle to go back, or float against the current and play all sorts of pranks, but in the long run we must go and join this great ocean of Life and Bliss.”
- Swami Vivekananda

The goal of life then, is to crack open this shell and attain a direct perception of our Soul and its infinite qualities. Because the soul is an indivisible part of God Himself, to attain a vision of our soul, is to see God – an event often described as gaining enlightenment.

This state of enlightenment (also known as salvation or Samadhi) is a point where all questions, doubts, fears and worries cease; when we become aware of the One changeless existence behind this ever-changing creation of life and death, joy and sorrow – an existence called God – an infinite and eternal ocean of pure knowledge, consciousness and bliss; as described by the Sanskrit words Sat, Chit and Ananda.

Om Namah Shivay