Thank You

The teachings of Sant Mat clearly state that at the time of initiation, the Master takes over the administration of the disciple’s karmic account, and from that moment onwards it is the Master who allocates the disciple’s karma in the best way that he deems fit. The goal, of course, is to clear the disciples’ karma in the quickest possible way so that the soul can return home. The disciple still has to face his destiny and receive the merits and demerits of his own actions. The difference lies in the way the karma is administered – with the loving compassion of the Guru instead of the cold, hard justice of the law.

About your fall from the window, my daughter, as you truly say, there is nothing accidental here. Every misery or trouble that comes to us is the result of our own past actions (karmas). The sooner our debts to Kal are paid off, the better for us. Whatever befalls us is regulated by the direct orders of our Satguru and we should take it as such, as a blessing in disguise.
_{Maharaj Sawan Singh, The Dawn of Light}

Thus it would be safe to say that every initiate is walking along a path his Master has chosen for him. The moment we expressed the desire to go back to our true home, the Master carved out a path for us to walk on, and this is it. No matter how harsh or brutal it might seem at times, it is the most merciful option. Most likely, it was supposed to be much, much worse.

Whatever good or bad happens to you, through whatever person or object, directly proceeds from our loving Father. All persons and objects are but tools in His hand. If an evil befalls you, think it as His greatest mercy. We have to suffer for our past actions sooner or later. Our Master, by taking us through these sufferings speedily, intends to relieve us of our burden earlier. And by this early payment of debt – because debt it is – the amount of the suffering is very much lessened. If we had to pay one ton at first, now we are released by paying one pound only.
_{Maharaj Sawan Singh, The Dawn of Light}

The question is, do we trust the Master? When it feels like things are out of control and nothing is working out to our satisfaction; when we are shaken out of our comfortable routines, do we trust that he is in charge and he knows best? Or do we grapple and wrestle with our minds, trying to understand something that is beyond the realm of the intellect and end up in a state of analysis paralysis?

The Sufi teachings give the example of two children quarrelling over their toys, with each one having their own valid reasoning. One thinks ‘it was given to me so why can’t I play with it?’ While the other one thinks, ‘it’s a nice toy – why can’t he share?’ Both children are right from their own viewpoint. But the father knows the nature of each child and what he wants to bring out in that nature. Perhaps he wants them to go through the bickering so that they can learn how to share. At their level, however, the children do not understand their father’s reasoning; they have to grow up to his level to understand.

Similarly, the Master is the spiritual father of the disciple. He has a strategy, a plan of how to clear the disciple’s karma in the most efficient way. He also knows the disciple’s strengths and weaknesses and what circumstances will fortify his faith and enable him to reach his maximum potential.

The Master is training his disciples to be attuned to the Shabd at all times, to remember the Lord in every situation, to believe, to have courage, and to be patient. The disciple’s job is to collaborate with him in this training process and, like good children, be grateful there are toys to play with in the first place, let alone food to eat, a family to love and a comfortable place to live.

Eventually, as the disciple goes through the course of his karma, it is those very virtues that will come to his rescue. Faith, patience and courage will help him face his destiny whatever it may be.

So really, as disciples, the only thing left to do is to express our gratitude to our beloved Father for his loving kindness and compassion, for believing in us and giving us the opportunity to become deserving of his grace.