What does it mean when we say “for the good of the whole?” I remember a time when I was told that I should sacrifice a part of what I wanted for my life “for the good of the whole.” I quickly learned that “for the good of the whole” is not about sacrifice. In fact, it is just the opposite. It is about becoming all that we can be.

There is an organization that articulates and educates and encourages others through their works. They are called: “The Good of the Whole.” They state: “Our Vision is a world where every individual feels valued, connected and fully expressed within a unified whole. Our Mission is to cultivate an ethos of wholeness and nurture our innate capacity to live for the good of the whole.”

We have a similar mission in Centers for Spiritual Living, when we say we honor “A world that works for everyone.” It is my daily mission as a minister to awaken and honor the wholeness in each individual that crosses my path. I begin with myself as I continually work on examining my life, my intentions, actions and most of all my connection to the highest Spiritual Consciousness. Do I feel whole? Do I feel like I can contribute on this planet in a way that is uplifting and inspirational? Am I making a contribution to life, while I become everything I can be and expressing my wholeness?

What the Good of the Whole is not is enforcing our individual needs above others and expecting others to acquiesce their needs. In other words, the Good of the Whole could never allow for everyone to have their personal needs for expression met with disregard of everyone else’s needs. The Good of the Whole doesn’t bring us down to the world of form and all its conditions, but, instead, rises us to another level. It is about finding our loving divine self, our self worth, our talents and gifts as spiritual beings and contributing those gifts for the Good of the Whole.

The Good of the Whole is a consciousness of Unity. If it were a practice of sacrifice, it would be to examine and release our ego needs that stand in the way of our True Identity. Really and truly, if we practice this thing called The Good of the Whole, we would all be living an inspired life in action, and at the same time allowing and celebrating others doing the same.  Our planet would be peopled by love in action.

I am getting clearer on this concept and how it affects me, my ministry and the Center for Spiritual Living Kaua’i. When we fall into the world of conditions and find ourselves struggling there for control, it would be good to remember that there is a place within each of us that is being ignored by ourselves, distracted by the need for control and that instead needs to be fully addressed, expressed, and loved back to itself.

We all have the opportunity on this earth plane to find our gifts, express them, love ourselves and others and enjoy a prosperous and joy-filled life. My mission is to assist others to do this, and yes, to do so for “The Good of the Whole.”

Love and Aloha,

Rev. Rita