Finding the Gold Ground Amidst Life's Trials

In the tapestry of life, there exists a profound phrase that resonates deeply with those who navigate the challenges of existence: At its core, everything is good.

This statement does not imply that every event unfolding in our lives is inherently positive. It is not a simplistic view that glosses over reality, nor is it a mere platitude offered to those in distress. Rather, it serves as a foundation that can only support us when we acknowledge the weight of our struggles.

As I approach my sixtieth year, I reflect on the decades filled with both joyous moments and painful experiences. The future remains uncertain, yet I recognize a constant presence that has sustained me through it all. Understanding this presence has been a journey.

This phrase was not born from my own thoughts; it was gifted to me. What matters is not its origin but my acceptance of it and my conscious choice to embrace it repeatedly.

In observing the current state of the world, it is clear that much is amiss. This applies not only to global events but also to our personal lives. War, illness, loss, uncertainty, pain, fear, and despair are all too real. To deny this reality is to take the easy way out.

Certainly, there exists goodness in every life. However, a hasty assertion that "everything is fine" fails to honor the depth of suffering and can even come across as callous, minimizing the pain and suggesting that one should simply toughen up or think positively.

This is not the intent.

The harsh realities remain harsh. Crises must be taken seriously. Threats require action, protection, solutions, and mobilization of our inner strength. Our entire being is wired to recognize dangers swiftly, and this instinct serves a purpose.

Yet, what is immediately visible is not the entirety of existence.

Seeing Both the Foreground and Background

Suffering, crises, and dangers often dominate our attention. They demand recognition and cannot be ignored.

However, every foreground has a background. Without a background, nothing can be perceived. Behind the ever-shifting backgrounds lies a foundational truth—a gold ground of life.

This metaphor draws inspiration from Orthodox icons, where figures such as angels or Christ are depicted against a golden backdrop. This gold is not mere decoration; it points to a deeper reality that transcends what is currently visible.

Before this gold ground, many things can shatter. There are cracks, blood, illness, farewells, and death. We encounter experiences that cannot be sugar-coated or dismissed. Yet beneath all this, there remains a foundation that holds us.

Thus, it is not accurate to say: "In the foreground, everything is fine." Instead, we must affirm: At its core, everything is good.

• With one eye, I perceive the situation as it is.
• With the other, I connect with the deeper foundation.
• I do not diminish the suffering.
• I do not allow myself to be completely engulfed by it.

This dual perspective is an art form. It prevents us from bypassing pain merely to feel good, while also shielding us from despair over what lies directly in front of us.

The Meaning of the Gold Ground in Difficult Times

When I look deeply, when I quiet my mind and surrender, I trust that I will be cradled by this inherent goodness. This does not mean that a crisis will vanish instantly, nor does it guarantee understanding of why events unfold as they do.

The brokenness can coexist. The pain can be present. The fear can reside within. Nothing needs to be smoothed over, made positive, or dressed up spiritually to find a place on this foundation.

Within this ground, healing can occur—perhaps not in the way we expect, nor immediately. But what is wounded can be embraced, and what is shattered can find a new way to come together.

The phrase "At its core, everything is good" is not an attempt to trivialize life. It expresses a profound trust: the darkness does not have the final say.

Why This Phrase Is Not a Quick Fix for Others

It would be misguided to casually offer this phrase to someone facing a cancer diagnosis, mourning a loved one, or experiencing the loss of a child. In such moments, this statement can feel like a slap in the face.

A phrase meant to support should not be a superficial band-aid. Otherwise, it diminishes both the phrase itself and the suffering of the person to whom it is directed.

"At its core, everything is good" must first grow within oneself. You may hear it and think, "That sounds nice." You might carry it with you. It may resurface during challenging times.

Eventually, the decision may arise: this is my phrase. This is the statement from which I wish to live.

Then, it will not be uttered to placate others. It becomes an inner attitude from which we act, listen, grieve, assist, and confront life’s challenges.

A Defiant Strength Against Despair

It requires a certain defiance to resist being completely consumed by what is pressing in the foreground. This does not equate to indifference, nor does it mean ignoring the news or global events.

I acknowledge what is happening. I hear about wars, fear, and concerning political or social developments. I see the difficulties. Yet, I refuse to allow the immediate to completely obscure my vision of the deeper foundation.

Both can coexist:

• The clear perception of what is burdensome and dangerous.
• The trust in a foundation that transcends the current crisis.

Sometimes, this background feels distant; at other times, it may seem surprisingly close. It is crucial not to lose our connection to it.

The Original Ground: Divine Presence and Source of Life

When I speak of the foundation and the background, the term original ground naturally arises. Mystics like Meister Eckhart and Johannes Tauler have referred to this original ground.

The original ground signifies divine presence, the source of our lives. From this foundation, we have emerged—out of love, out of goodness.

This is not a claim that can be proven in the foreground like a mathematical equation. It is an inner relationship, a trust, an experience to which we can be open.

At its core, everything is good. And at its core, you are good. Each person is born from this goodness and love.

A Simple Practice to Connect with the Original Ground

Connecting with the original ground can become a daily practice, especially in the morning. It is not about achieving something special; it is about finding stillness and remembering what sustains us.

1. Sit in silence for a moment.
2. Notice what is present within you without immediately trying to change it.
3. Ask yourself inwardly: What lies beneath my fear, restlessness, or pain?
4. Sense whether you can touch a deeper foundation that simply exists.
5. Stay with this foundation for a moment, even if it is only faintly sensed.

Perhaps there won’t be a grand feeling. Maybe it will remain a trust without proof. That is sufficient. What matters is to continually reconnect and become transparent to it.

Then, this gold ground can shine through us into the world—not as a forced cheerfulness, but as goodness, support, compassion, and a strength that perseveres even in difficulty.

Being Supported at the Core

Life remains fragile. Some questions may linger unanswered. Certain wounds cannot be easily healed. Yet beneath what changes, beneath what hurts, and beneath what frightens us, a foundation can become palpable that does not shatter.

Perhaps this is precisely what the phrase conveys: not everything is good. But we are more profoundly supported than we can believe in our darkest moments.

At its core, everything is good.