Ordinary Goodness: The Surprisingly Effortless Path to Creating a Life of Meaning and Beauty

Nondenominational minister Viljoen (The Power of Meditation) brings an appealing, thoughtful calm to his exploration of the idea that Meister Eckhart expresses as “the light in the soul.” Viljoen advocates for “ordinary goodness,” something basic and natural that exists in all of us and is always accessible to us. He invites the reader to slow down, observe, and exercise practices of kindness, mindfulness, compassion, integrity, patience, and faith until they become “a welcome guest in us.” Viljoen’s phrasings of this centuries-old idea, supported by a mix of personal stories of his South African childhood and quotations broadly chosen from ancient and modern religious and non-religious texts, resonate in a way that feels modern but not trendy. Not so much a program as a collection of love-affirming reminders, Viljoen’s approach celebrates being fully present in the world, complete with its pain and grief, maintaining a belief in the essential goodness of humanity without glibly looking for a “disguised blessing.” The student following this path will be neither social activist nor cloistered religious, but an everyday person making daily conscious small choices to live from goodness. (Jan.)