Exploring A Good Way

As I dive deeper into my own spirituality, I find myself entering circles and listening to the elders speak. A phrase I hear often is the act of doing something “in a good way.” To perform acts of ceremony, medicine, and share teachings means to do so in “a good way.” I’m hearing this idea more and more, and I pause to wonder what it truly means for me. I want to do things “in a good way”. But what is that? What makes it good, right, or correct?

Since then, conversations have continued with my elders, peers, friends, and family. We take moments to pause, reflect, and engage in discussions about this topic. It has been wonderful to listen and learn about how others define it, while some struggle to find the right words. I like to think I lit a spark by asking this question:

“What is a Good Way?”

They might continue exploring this question and follow it for a while longer, curious about where it might lead them. It may take them in a direction similar to mine, or it may guide them elsewhere. When we next meet, we can exchange the insights and fruit borne from our separate journeys, coming together to share in a feast of knowledge and experience. Some may discard the question early on as uninteresting or irrelevant, unable to grasp the vagueness of the concept.

For me, it is a mental puzzle to unravel the mysteries of my culture—a teaching locked within a phrase. It’s an idea almost tangible, something you can hold, pass, turn, and twist in your hand. Unlocking it brings understanding of a way of life. Perhaps it grants insight into the traditions my ancestors practiced. How old is this question? How old is this “Good Way?”

When I pose this question, my elders simply smile. I can see the light shine in their eyes; their silence speaks volumes. Even the memory awakens, reminding them of their own trials in answering this question. Instead, they ask, “What have you learned?”

This is what I share with them:

Every day comprises a series of choices, from the moment I open my eyes until I go to sleep. With each of these choices, I find myself reflecting on my teachings—those seven words you taught me—and how important they are. With every choice, I ask myself:

• Is it Respectful? How does this choice promote harmony between me and those it affects?

• Is it an expression of Humility? Who does this serve? If it serves only you, pray that it helps you further define your relationship to your purpose.

• Is this an expression of Courage? What do you need to prepare? What are the risks? How will it affect others?

• Is this an expression of Honesty? How will you express it? Will you share it in ways that others can see and understand?

• Is this Wise? Have you chosen this before? What’s the same, and what would you do differently? How have you planned?

• Is this an expression of Truth? What other truths can be expressed beyond the fact that this will change you and perhaps some, if not all, of your relationships?

• Is this an act of Love? How do you intend to express and communicate it?

The Seven Great Laws, also known as the Seven Sacred Teachings, are guiding principles imparted to me. Seven simple words that have woven complexity into my way of life. Challenging me to choose differently encourages me to reflect on the implications of my decisions. The more I contemplate a course of action, the more aware I become of the potential harm I may cause. What are the risks and the consequences? There is no easy way to navigate this.

As I reflect on other ways in which people live, I recognize that there are many interpretations of living in a good way. Different values and principles serve as foundations for their chosen lifestyles, which may differ from mine. This makes the question all the more interesting. The exchange of ideas and the sharing of experiences, brought on by our individual interpretations of living well, enriches our understanding of what it means to live in a good way.

#BrandonRobbinsRTC #culturalsupport #agoodway #guidingprinciples