Change Your Thoughts — Change Your Destiny

AsI have stressed repeatedly, man cannot interfere with his karma but he can surely change his attitude to life, and to all that befalls him.

Two girls appeared for an important examination. They could not do well in the papers. One of them became disconsolate; she was dejected at the thought of failure, and actually began to contemplate suicide. The other took a more pragmatic approach. “What is past is past,” she said to herself. “My frustration, sighs and tears cannot now change the results of the examination. Let me therefore focus my efforts on what is to come.” Then and there, she resolved to prepare for the next examination, working hard so that she might pass with flying colours. We all have the same freedom — to accept all that happens to us in the right spirit, and to concentrate our efforts on succeeding where it really matters. Attitude is thus of the utmost importance in our actions, reactions and responses.

Suppose you and your friend give away something in charity; your attitude will determine the fruit of your action. For instance, one of you might be doing the charitable act for the sake of exhibitionism, to show off his generosity to the world. The other might be giving whatever he can in the spirit of love and service. Obviously, the differing attitude will determine the resultant fruits of their karma.

Many people tell me, “Often we act in innocence, without any ulterior motives. Yet people accuse us of wrong intent. Who is responsible for the results of such actions?”

My answer to them is: If your intentions are pure and honourable, your actions will only lead to good. If your conscience is clear, you need not pay heed to what others say or think about you. When you act in the right spirit, only good will result from your actions.

(Dada J.P. Vaswani is humanitarian, philosopher, educator, acclaimed writer, powerful orator, messiah of ahimsa, and non-sectarian spiritual leader.)