motto good thoughts good words good deeds

#Motto good thoughts good words good deeds full

However, while its roots extend to at least the 7th century BC, and some scholars date its beginnings as far back as the 16th century BC, most Westerners are not familiar with Zoroastrianism’s primary teachings. For some Westerners, the name of the religion is as familiar as Judaism, Christianity and Islam, also based on a belief in one God. So I challenge you, how can you transform your thoughts today? How can you then use those positively charged thoughts and project them as words? Finally, what will you physically do to bring about frashokereti? The eradication of evil in the world–of negativity and animosity–begins with you.What was a flourishing religion in ancient Iran and across the Persian Empire has dwindled through centuries of foreign conquest to be perhaps the smallest of monotheistic faiths. Indeed, because this is the highest calling of all Zarathushtis and by extension, all mankind, one may reach the ultimate spiritual goal, Ameretat (“best consciousness”, immortal bliss) after our bodily death by following the universal path of Asha. Zarathushtra enjoins everyone to participate in the work toward frashokereti. Good Thought, Words, and Deeds, transcend one’s spiritual orientation and thus can be agreed upon and practiced by all. Zarathushtra discovered a monotheistic faith based on tenets of universal morality.

Perfection here should not be mistaken for an exclusive spiritual sense. “Bring to perfection” is the ultimate Good Deed in the Zarathushti Faith. Finally, we have the verb “bring” to deliver “perfection” to the world. Next, the words themselves are a proclamation of intention. This invocation must begin with a thought–a conscious effort to set oneself to action. May we be like those who bring the world toward perfection. The final step is the concrete expression of our Good Thoughts and Good Words.

When was the last time you participated in gossip or backbiting? Would you consider your words to be good? We must remember that our words can take one of two forms: once spoken, they either become bricks that build up the life of another, or a hammer that brings them down.

#Motto good thoughts good words good deeds full

How much easier is it for us to lash out in anger or frustration rather than take a breath, train our thoughts, and release Good Words instead? Life is full of opportunities to succumb to anger and malice. Our next step is to train our words–which are the manifestations of our thoughts–to reflect our Good Thoughts. Regardless of the situation, we must work on “becoming wonderful”, the perfect state of Asha Zarathushtra refered to as frashokereti, a state in which evil and negativity is completely vanquished. I think this is where Good Thought comes in.

What about a real life situation? My Baha’i training showed me that in all situations, no matter how dark, we must focus on the single point of light that exists in all. You might consider this transformation as turning a glass that was once half empty into half full. At times when I feel the most stressed, I find it difficult to use that negative energy and turn it into a positive outlook. Although the first step, it is often the most difficult. The path of Asha begins with our thoughts. If we take a closer look at the three-step program of good thoughts, words, and deeds, we see that these steps are in fact progressive. Happiness is the result of right choices–ethical, sound choices–that not only lead to one’s personal happiness, but an enlightened happiness in oneself and others.