Are we robots?

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Are we robots?

Sunday, 17 March 2019 | Ajit Kumar Bishnoi

Are we robots?

Souls come programmed and we go on with our lives in a robotic fashion. If we pursue the spiritual path, we will no longer be robots but free souls making spiritual progress slowly but surely, writes AJIT KUMAR BISHNOI

This is a valid question, which requires careful examination. Referring to the cosmic design, we bring fate from our previous births. This fate consists of many parts. The main ones are: Where will one be born; to which parents; with what bodily features and facial appearance; the level of intelligence; unfinished good and bad karmas (deeds), which have not come to fruition as yet; and the life span. This is common knowledge but not many are aware of our deep desires, strongly rooted habits, sanskars, and the extent of progress in the spiritual journey, etc. These are equally important, if not more than the fixed part of fate described earlier. These are also programmed into the soul.

I will limit myself to clarify the fixed part of the fate. There is no confusion about the first two parts, ie where will one be born and to which parents. The soul enters the mother’s womb, as programmed due to the fixed aspects of one’s fate. Facial appearance and bodily features will form accordingly, as will the lines on the palm. The brain will develop as programmed till it reaches the predestined intelligence. Yet to fructify karmas remain in memory and their fruits come to fruition at their appointed times. These are all fixed as can be predicted by an expert astrologer to a great extent, say up to 80 to 85 per cent.

Palmists have a different challenge. The lines on one’s palm keep changing as one’s life progresses influenced by one’s deep desires, deeply entrenched habits, sanskars, spiritual awakening, etc. I will cite a couple of examples to explain what happens. Suppose a soul has deep desire for wealth, and is prepared to work hard habitually, and is morally inclined, and has some faith in God. Driven by these, he will endeavour to make a lot of money in his life, mostly in an honest way. This will go on for the entire duration of his life, unless the God factor comes into play. Then, he develops a link with God and has a desire to improve the quality of his life with the help of God. Then, things begin to change as different from what was originally programmed into the soul because God is the only one who can really change the original programme, otherwise everyone is more or less on autopilot mode throughout one’s life.

Another example will clarify this matter further. This person also has a deep desire for wealth. He is also habitually prepared to work hard. He is morally inclined too. However, he has a deeper faith in the existence of God. Driven by his deep desire for wealth and strong habit for working hard and his moral inclinations, he too makes a lot of money honestly. However, his enduring faith makes him uncertain about the direction his life is taking him. On top of it, he is a habitual worrier. This serious handicap is forcing him to think of a solution to his anxiety problem. He tries various means, including consulting many doctors, as he does not lack any resources. Nothing works, therefore, he turns to God for help. However, this is not so simple. Progress in the spiritual domain is always slow and not so apparent also, being subtle. But determined as he is, he pursues and gradually begins to become peaceful, ie he does not get so anxious any more. He has managed to change the direction of his life. He is no longer on the autopilot mode.

What is the conclusion? As stated earlier, souls come programmed. These manifest and one goes on with his or her life in a robotic fashion. Some may feel uneasy about the state of affairs but will go on after making some feeble attempts to change the course of their lives because one is unable to fight his own faculties, which all are seats of lust. (Gita 7.40) But if one is determined enough to pursue the spiritual path, he succeeds over a long period. God helps both in dealing with the painful part of fate and, most importantly, his poor habits, especially of worrying. Then, he is no longer a robot but a free soul making spiritual progress slowly but surely. He is in cruise control.

Bishnoi is a spiritual writer and can be reached at spiritual@ajitbishnoi.com  

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