We express our awareness through our actions. This is why Jesus said, “You are the light of the world… Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father”. But which works are “good ones”?

Many of religious people think that good works are acts of charity and selfless service – something that we do without any thought of reward. According to them, such works are different from our everyday life activities. These ideas sound lofty and noble, but in fact they put unnecessary burden upon those who subscribe to them. They open the way to continuous self-doubts: “Do I sacrifice enough? Am I selfless enough?”

Some of these doubts are justified. The fact is, many of attempts to do acts of “selfless service” lead to the opposite results – they reinforce ego of those who are doing them, making them secretly proud of themselves and their spiritual achievements.

Perhaps, the best solution of this dilemma is not to divide our life into “good works” and “all other works” but to perceive it in its wholeness. All works could be good if they are done in the right attitude. “Just by existing, I make a positive difference to the world. Every thought that I have adds to the existence of every being. Every moment of courage encourages all beings”, writes Brad Jensen.

Good works are the ones which proceed from the realization of our goodness and goodness of the entire world.

Why this is important?

If I believe that I am a worthless sinner, I doubt in my abilities to make a positive difference. I doubt in my creative impulses and intuitive guidance. At the same time, I am trying to earn God’s approval through my works, even if I do not admit it. Most often, these “good works” are attempts to imitate “godly” behaviour of others, or to follow instructions outlined in religious books.

On the other hand, if I believe that I am good (that I am the light of the world), I am doing that which is natural to me. I can allow myself the luxury of being spontaneous and creative. There is no need for me to compare myself with others or to obey strict rules. I can love without even questioning whether am I “loving enough”.

What if I believe that the world is bad and full of evil? Such mindset creates a superiority complex within me. I consider myself to be a little saviour and redeemer. I become self-important – and ignorant. Listen to what some religious people say: “We bring good news to the hurting world”. While they are looking to save the world from supposed “hurt”, they remain blind to the fact that there is still enough hurt among those who accept their “good news”, and there is enough joy and happiness among those who don’t care about their dogmas.

The world is good, but you won’t see it until you are offended at the world, or until you are trying to “save it from sin”. If you want the world to disclose its goodness to you, dare to accept that the world is good. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. And it is not difficult to think that the world is good once you agree that the world proceeds from God, the Source of all good.

The world does not need preaching. But it would be benefited by powerful examples of actualized and creative individuals who allowed their inner light to shine. Let us quit all attempts to make others happy, and allow them to learn their own lessons. Instead, let us get busy with doing good works – the ones which proceed from the realization of our goodness and goodness of the entire world.