In times of global conflict, turn to faith not fear
People all over the world are getting quite disturbed. Lives are being lost, precious resources are being squandered and supply lines are getting disrupted. There is chaos and lots of speculation is going on about the future. There is fear about personal safety and well-being.
Let me first clarify that whatever is happening is destined. How else did famous soothsayers like Nostradamus and Baba Vanga foresee events centuries later? Why? Because what we do today results in fruit later. Nothing happens by chance. There is group destiny; people of a country contribute to a future happening.
Let me restrict this article to how these wars are affecting us and what we can do about it. There are two classes of people. One is the common man — a non-devotee. The other is a devotee of God. Let me take up the common man first. Throughout his life, he will continue to get what he deserves, that is: “What you sow is what you reap.” All rewards and punishments are destined. Others can only be mediums for helping or harming, as ordained. No one can harm unless some suffering is due. Therefore, the thought that anything can happen at any time must be dismissed.
The other class of devotees is well placed. God is involved in their lives. Only God has the power to change or give relief from what is destined. He becomes ‘karta’ (doer) in the lives of devotees. To understand this phenomenon, we must know how something gets done or happens. Lord Krishna has explained in the Bhagavad-Gita: “The place of action and the doer and many different kinds of instruments and many different efforts and the fifth in this connection is providence only.” (18.14) The place of action or circumstances is where and how we are presently placed. The second is karta in our life, whether God or material nature (the Divine Authority), which works under the superintendence of God (9.10). They only reward or punish as destined. We, souls, make this choice; devotees choose or qualify for God being the doer in their lives.
The third is the different instruments possessed by us, like our abilities. The fourth is the different efforts made by us. And the last is what is destined. Left with only two out of five choices, we should make our best efforts in any circumstances and take shelter of God in right earnest. Then God will begin to guide and help; no one is excluded. Wars will go on, as they always do, this world being duhkhalaya (place of misery) (8.15). But we will be under the protection of the Almighty. He will help us to overcome whatever challenges these wars throw at us (18.58); God has promised this to entire humanity. Therefore, let us not fear or panic about these wars; just focus on what best we can do to help ourselves, and remain in the shelter of God. We will do fine. This is God’s creation; He is in control.
The writer is a spiritual teacher; views are personal
