We often find ourselves in untoward situations and the first
question that crosses the mind in times like these is ‘Why did this happen to
me’. Surely I haven’t done sinful deeds
in this lifetime to deserve this kind of suffering. And this chain of thought
leads to utter despair and helplessness with the conclusion that life is
unfair. God is unfair and we blame him for all the suffering in our lives
saying it is God’s will. And then we wait for him to set things right often
bribing him with a box full of sweets or some cash rich prize. But is he the
one really responsible for the misfortunes in our life? Or are we overlooking
an important point here. God or the universal creator is a parent with
unconditional love. It baffles my mind to think that a parent would inflict
his/her child with pain and suffering. Surely this can’t be true which means
there is a different science governing life.
Yes I call it science because it works with absolute
precision in all our lives. This science or law works equally in all our lives.
This is the science/law of karma – what you sow, so shall you reap. Surely this
is not something new that you hear but the truth in the saying is often taken a
tad too casually. We are the creators of our destiny. The actions of our past
life determine the present. While there is little control over the past the
present and future is very much within our control. The way we choose to
respond to a present situation determines the ‘present’ in our lives and
simultaneously becomes a cause for the future as well. There has to be a more
proactive way of leading life where we are in total control of the choices and
decisions we make from moment to moment.
However the first hurdle that comes our way is acceptance of
the fact that we are responsible for our present circumstance. It is difficult
to believe that we did something in the past the effects of which manifest in
the present. The easier thing to do is to completely debunk the theory of a past
existence and blame God for everything in the present. An example will perhaps
elucidate the point I am trying to make. Take for instance the life of the five
terrorists who created so much havoc in the Mumbai attacks in 2008. Their deeds
affected the lives of thousands of people and caused so much pain and suffering
to them. In the process 4 of them were shot dead themselves and one was hanged
recently. Do u think that is a fitting end to their heinous crimes? Should
death bring closure to their deeds and let them get away with so little? While
that seems the obvious their karmic account however cannot be settled so
easily. They will have to pay a price for what they did and isn’t that only
fair? The new circumstances in which they are born will be determined by their
past. For all you know one could be born as a crippled and decrepit being. But
being unaware of his past deeds he would pity himself as much as arouse pity
from those around. But the fact remains that his state is a matter of his own
doing.
While this sounds a bit harsh, grasping this truth puts back
the power to create our own destiny in our hands. Living in the present is the
key. Choose your responses from this moment on. Don’t get swayed by the
circumstances and what other people say or do. And when this becomes a way of life
you will discover that life is only more than fair to you and to others as
well.
