Has our future been written for us or can we shape it ourselves? Are we bystanders to fate or do we play a crucial role in its working? We have all asked these questions at some stage because we think that the outcomes of our actions are so uncertain that we need an emotional coping mechanism to handle them. Depending on what we believe, we’d like to use this mechanism to protect ourselves from pain.

Destiny is the cycle of reactions and consequences to our actions. When we complete an act, we receive a response from the environment. This reaction is delivered on the basis of our intention. If our intent is authentic and comes from the heart –we will receive a positive response –even if the action itself had negative consequences and the outcome is undesirable. On the other hand, if our intent is inauthentic and driven by lust, greed or other negative vibes – we will receive an unfavourable response from our surroundings –even when the result may appear to be favourable. Here are examples of the above scenarios.

A soldier shoots an enemy combatant and kills him. Instead of getting punished and suffering from guilt or depression; he’s given a hero’s welcome. His community celebrates his actions and he feels happy inside. He suffers no adverse consequences of any sort despite taking a human life because he’s diligently followed his personal duty of defending the country. In contrast, a person who kills another and steals his wealth is eventually arrested and sentenced to death. Additionally, he experiences abuse at the hands of his prison inmates and the ignominy of blacklisting by his community.

In these cases, we can see that the response to one’s actions is not commensurate to the act itself; but to the intent that underpins the act. Therefore, we can conclude that the cycle of action, reaction and consequences is based on the positivity of one’s intention; rather than the action itself. But, how can we explain the common observation that bad things happen to good people?

Whenever a person is born, his body is formed for the first time. However, the soul is reborn in this new shell. That soul first emerged from its cradle – the origin of the universe – many lifetimes ago. The soul undergoes numerous births, lives and deaths before it reunites with the One. At the time of an individual’s birth, therefore, his soul has already experienced several lives and must experience the consequences of those actions performed in its previous lives. This is why one person may be born in a wealthy, loving family living in a peaceful country; while another is born on the street and subsequently abandoned.

The boundary conditions of an individual are therefore immutable because they have resulted due to the deeds in one’s past lives. However, are we destined to repeat those same mistakes in our present life? Are we mere silent spectators with no mental agency? The answer to both questions is a resounding no.

While the actions of our past can’t be reversed; going forward; we have the power to act according to our volition. It is possible to remove those inhibitions that arise as a result of the consequences of our former lives through a process of self-filtration. This involves making sacrifices and surrendering to one’s Guru Tatwa. Through this process of filtration, an individual can extricate himself from the cycle of births and achieve Oneness.

Returning to the question – Is our fate pre-written? – the answer is yes. However, we have the inner power to shape it.

Use this force with love and positivity. You will receive Nature’s magnanimous embrace.