We are all masters of our own karma, so live positively

THE constitution of a human being is the cumulative effect of his past thoughts, desires and actions.

His past activities are the cause. His present personality is the effect, which is called destiny. Your destiny at any time is therefore the result of your past. Your past activities are fait accompli.

You have no control over what you have done earlier. You cannot alter them now. You will have to face the result set by those causes.

Hence your present destiny is fixed. You are a victim of your own past activities. If you have had a proper course of education, you would be a literate now.

If not, if you have neglected your studies and learning, you would be an illiterate. Likewise, if you had gone through a proper course of spiritual discipline, you would command success and peace in your life.

If, however, you had chosen a material and sensual life, you would be mentally stressed. You reap what you sow. That is the law of destiny.

The law of destiny states that you are at present the product of your past. The law of karma reaches further to state that you are not only the product of your past but the producer of your future as well.

The law of destiny covers only the past and present, while the law of karma covers the past, present and future.

With reference to your past, you are a product, a slave. But with reference to your future, you are a producer, a master.

People are not aware of this imposing law of nature. In their ignorance they believe destiny and karma are predetermined.

Some pass it off as something ordained by God. Others presume it is a play of stars and planets. Yet others hold it as a stratagem of luck and accident. These are all mere presumptions.

The law of karma is ruled by a scientific law relating to cause and effect. You are the creator of your destiny.

There is no extraneous power controlling your life. God does not shape your destiny, nor determine the type of thought, desire and action emanating from you.

However, God is the supreme power, which enables you to think, desire and act. But the quality of your activities is entirely your making.

You are the architect of your life. You are responsible for its positive or negative character. You make or mar yourself.

The responsibility of your life therefore lies in your hands. Entertain positive thought, feeling and action, and you flourish.

Whereas with negative thought, feeling and action, you perish. You thus mould your destiny. You get what you deserve. It is an unfailing law.

Richard Chenevix Trench puts it across beautifully: A stone that is fit for the wall is not left in the way.

Swami Parthasarathy’s daughter, Sunandaji, will conduct discourses on the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga of Meditation, August 14 to 16, at the Space Frame Theatre, Wits School of Education, from 7 to 8.15pm. Free. Contact Linestha on 074 166 1222 or info@ vedanta.org.za