Good
and bad are two words that are easily misunderstood and misused, because their meaning
is very general. An investigation will help us have a better understanding about the nature of 'good' and 'bad'.
The 'things´ of this world have a relative value. Thus, although
there are 'things´ which most of the time have a beneficial effect, in some cases, they
can be harmful to us (to our body, prana, mind and intellect), or to others as well. On the other
hand there are 'things´ that most of the time have a ‘harmful’ effect, but in certain
conditions (although very rare) can be beneficial.
There are also many 'things´ that are neutral and under certain conditions have a beneficial effect and under other conditions a harmful effect. Our actions can be characterized
as 'good' or 'bad' in relation the circumstances, our inner motivation and the way
we do them. Thus the same action could be 'good' in one case, it could be wrong in another one and
vice versa. Even a virtue when is applied in wrong place, wrong time and in a
wrong way loses its positive quality.
This is also symbolize in the TAO which refers to the dualities of life as Yin and Yan. In the Yin there is potentially the Yang and in the Yang the Yin.
Having
all the above in our mind, I consider as
‘good’ what brings equilibrium, health, harmony, peace, happiness, freedom
and leads us to the realization of Truth and the unity of life. On the other hand ‘bad’ what causes disequilibrium
disease, suffering, imbalance, disharmony, separation, violence, rivalry, war
and much more.
Moreover I define as 'good' what
is in the 'right position' at a particular place and time and manifested in the proper way).For example, when the fire is in
the kitchen and cooks the food is "good" but when it is out of
control and destroys a forest or a city is 'bad'.
In relation to gunas and mind, sattva is the quality that brings harmony, light, happiness while the rajas and tamas gunas cause disequilibrium, diseases and suffering. In their places rajas and tamas are beneficial and necessary qualities for the existence of the universe.
Humans on earth (for various reasons) haven’t
developed enough the capacities of discernment, pure reasoning, reflection and detachment
and thus they fail to understand what really is
'good' and 'bad'. They fail to see when something is at its 'right place' and when it is not.
Due to
ignorance and lack of the capacities mentioned above, the majority has a difficulty to discern in every particular situation, what promotes health,
harmony, happiness etc. and what the opposite, disequilibrium, suffering,
illness, etc.. They have also difficulties to connect
their actions with their consequences. But even if they are aware of it, in many cases they cannot
follow their understanding, due to their ego; they cannot resist
the egoic impulses that impel them act against their understanding
and reason. They don’t have the
strength to resist the impulse of desire or other psychological conditioning and
thus they continue entrapped to what causes disequilibrium, suffering, illness to
themselves and others as well.
Most
people fail to discern the true from the false (in relation the things,
situations and happenings of life), as well as between the Real and the unreal,
the Self and the non self. They fail to see the truth behind the information
that give us the senses, and most of all they fail to see clearly what is behind the
illusory forms – viz. the true Self or Consciousness.
When we fail to recognize our true identity, the Consciousness behind all phenomena, then we identify with the body and the mind's mechanical reactions to the external impressions. Thus develops in us the egoic self which obstructs the normal function of mind and intellect and the development of their higher capacities. Thus we become slaves of unconscious processes which cause disequilibrium, diseases and suffering.
