Our Soul is in God and God is in the Soul - Atam men Ram, Ram men Atam - Guru Nanak

Part II

Besides, our life in this world is ordained according to our pralabdh or fate karma. It is our fate karma that determines where and in what environment we are to be born, what our career will be and what course we are to follow. All this is based on our own previous actions and thoughts, both good and evil. If we had all good karmas to our credit, we would be in heaven. If we had all bad karmas, we would be in some lower region. This is a mixed world, good and bad, wherein we have to face some things which are pleasant and some which are unpleasant. Our life here cannot be all smooth sailing.

If we are discontented or unhappy when disease or misfortune comes our way, or feel elated in success or satisfaction of desires, when will the mind turn to devotion to God? Even in times of happiness, we are moving along with the tendencies of the mind. The tendency of the mind and the inclination of the spirit are different. The inclination of soul is towards Shabd. So we should do everything to keep the mind in its proper place and not let it overcome or rule us.

The key to bhana, or ‘surrender’ to His Will: The eye center, where we concentrate and fix our attention, is the place where we should be and from which we should function. This, of course, requires a lot of time and practice, but that is the key to surrender. On the other hand, when we come down from this center we function through this body of nine doors, the attention goes out through the sense organs, and when it receives stimulus from the outside it becomes involved in the world. Only when the attention is withdrawn from the world and the senses can we live in His Will.

© "Light on Sant Mat" by Maharaj Charan Singh, published by Sewa Singh, Secretary, Radha Soami Satsang Beas, Dera Baba Jaimal Singh Post 143 204, Amritsar District, Punjab. Reprinted with permission. Part I of this article appeared in Splendour, May, 2005 issue.

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