Self effort and fate a yoga perspective

Self effort is of two categories: that of past and that of the present mental and physical activity.

Fate can be explained as the effect of one’s past self effort or past mental and physical actions.

Self motivated activity or self effort which is not based on higher truth principles or critical thought, will often result in undesired outcomes. When this occurs one should examine the resulting effects in the light of one’s thought patterns and correct them accordingly and immediately. Unfortunately many people tend to blame fate or bad luck instead of accepting responsibility for their mistaken thoughts and actions.

There is great power in correct present action, as it will determine future results as they impact on one’s life.

Hence, one should take to self effort and overcome evil by good and by what is seen as fate by present right action.

One should never yield to laziness but strive to obtain liberation, realizing that life is ebbing away every moment; neither should one be consumed by sense pleasure, for it leads to bondage.

One who says "Fate is directing me to do this" is misguided.

By self effort one acquires wisdom and then realizes that this self effort is not without its own end, but will lead one in the direction of truth.

When afflicted by suffering, people often blame their circumstances on fate or even some divine intervention. What is referred to as fate or by some even divine will is in actuality the result of one’s prior action.          

The present is infinitely more potent than the past.

It is foolish to be satisfied with the fruits of one’s past actions and not be engaged in present self effort. One should also free oneself from likes and dislikes, and always do what needs to be done now on all levels: physical, mental and spiritual.

Self effort is that, which springs from right understanding that manifests in one's heart and which has been exposed to correct ethical and moral scrutiny.

Such self effort has a threefold root and therefore threefold fruit:

1. An inner awakening of intelligence,
2. An act of will
3. Right physical action

He who desires mental freedom should also purify his mind.

For those who accept past life existence, they need to realize that tendencies brought forward from past incarnation are of two kinds - pure and impure.

The pure ones lead one to liberation and the impure ones invite a troubled existence.

We need to come to the realization, that we are consciousness itself; not inert physical matter. Therefore, we are not impelled to action by anything other than our own self will.

Hence, we are free to strengthen pure latent tendencies in preference of the impure ones. The masters of perfection emphasize to persistently tread the path that leads toward the eternal good of all.

The wise seeker knows: that the fruit of one’s endeavours will be commensurate with the intensity of one’s self effort, and neither fate nor God can ordain it otherwise. Indeed, such self effort alone is responsible for whatever one obtains in life.

When one is in a state of unhappiness, to console him, people often suggest that it is his fate or bad luck. No one has seen such a fate or a bad luck, but everyone has experienced how an action (good or evil) leads to a result (good or evil).

Hence, right from early life, one should endeavour to promote one's true good by a keen, intelligent study of truth principles, and by right self effort.

Fate or divine dispensation is merely a convention which has come to be regarded as truth by being repeatedly declared to be so.

In this world, except in a state of inertia, everything is active and it is activity that yields its appropriate results.

No one has ever realized the existence of fate or divine dispensation.

People use such expressions as "I am impelled by fate or divine dispensation to do this" for self satisfaction, but this is not true?

Many have attained self knowledge by self effort alone. Hence, we need renounce fatalism in favour of accepting that our present condition is the result of the law of cause and effect of our own action