The Goodness Trap: Gangaji on Ethics and Awakening
If we don't want to do good, then we're going to want to do bad or we are going to be bad, and that's why I bring up so often about Ramana stealing money, or Buddha abandoning his wife, or Christ, you know, saying leave your father, you know the dead buried I mean.
What does it really mean to be good? In this thought-provoking episode of the Gangaji Podcast, Gangaji and Hillary Larson dive into the complexities of human goodness. They start with the idea that most people are innately good, but they quickly unravel the potential pitfalls of striving to always be ethical. Gangaji points out that equating enlightenment with constant ethical behavior can actually become a trap, leading to an idealism that misses the point entirely.
Instead, she suggests that true goodness comes from a deeper awareness, almost like a natural reflex rather than a moral obligation. This episode explores how the desire to do good isn't driven by fear or a need for approval but is a natural outcome of awakening. Gangaji also discusses the heavy burden of feeling fallible and the powerful fear of not being 'good enough'.
She emphasizes the importance of telling the truth without expecting anything in return, letting go of the need for external validation, and trusting in our inherent goodness. If you're curious about how ethics and awakening intersect, this episode offers a refreshing perspective.