from: K
date: ?? Oct 2017

1. If we, as humans, have our destiny in this particular birth already planned by God, is there any room for us to improve spiritually by our own individual efforts in this or another birth...... or is everything in this life and future births, all controlled by God and our progression to " realize" our self is entirely in His hands?

(The reason I ask is because we hear in this world the message that everyone can improve, everyone can do better, everyone can love more, be more compassionate, be less greedy or what not but I wasn't entirely sure all of this is controlled by God within us to motivate us for inspire us to do so). I hope that makes sense

Thanks
   K

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from: Dennis
date: 1:32 PM 30 Oct 2017

I am sure you will understand the answer to this question at some point. Here are a few clues to the answer.

If we can 'entirely' leave everything to God and remain in perfect, undisturbed peace, without thought, then we need not make any effort. Our journey is done. We merge in Him.

If, however, as a seeker, we learn about the theory of predestination but yet do not have the actual experience of it, we must make effort until we realize by experience that this whole creation is but a manifestation of the Divine and we infinitesimal beings, believing that we are this body and ego are but puppets in His cosmic play.

Bhagavan has said that effortless and choiceless awareness is our natural state. If we can be in it, it is good. Otherwise, effort is necessary. The effort of deliberate meditation. This also means that we should also aspire to be God-like, do good and be good.

So, to conclude, predestination will remain only a theory until the day dawns that he or she who thinks and acts realizes they are but a fiction of an outward-turned mind. When the mind is stilled and sunk into the Heart everything is perfectly clear..

Yours in Bhagavan,
  Dennis