It is said we come into this world `empty handed’ and will leave `empty handed’. Alexander – the Great – believed in this and that is the reason he directed that when he is carried to his grave both his hands should be out of the coffin for people to see that the conqueror is leaving the world `empty handed’. However, the issue is : Is this true – Is this a fact ! The answer is No.
However, those who believe in the concept of `free will’ – that is – karma – do not / will not accept that a person comes into or goes out of this world empty handed. The believers of `free will’ believe that they are masters of their actions and are doers. They accept responsibility for their actions. In other words, they enjoy the fruits of their actions and also suffer the consequences of their mistakes.
Hence, they are born to live the consequences of deeds of their present and past life or lives. In short, they are once again given the opportunity to do good deeds so that in their next birth they enjoy the result of their good actions alongwith suffering for their mistakes. There is no quid pro quo. It also affords an opportunity through good deeds and prayer to merge with the Lord and get out of this cycle of birth-death-birth.
Every religion preaches this concept and that is why we have the concept of the? day of judgement’. Guru Nanak advised ‘Do good deeds’ – `share what you have’ and above all? remember the Giver – the Lord’. Hence, it can be said guru advocated ‘free will’. It is upto the individual to choose his path and to write his destiny. Fethullah Gulen writes : `God does not look at your body or your physical appearance. He looks at your heart and the sincerity of your deeds – and deeds determine misery or happiness in the next world’. Barnet Bain, express the same thought when he writes : ‘know that each one of us is the writer and director of our own unforgettable life story’. Further one of the Ten Commandments is ‘Do unto others what you wish them do unto you’ is based on the concept that every action has a reaction. What a dynamic philosophy – nay – concept of life – which gives one the liberty to choose the way one wants to live.
The issue is : what is the impact of this concept. The impact is that it makes us conscious – aware – of our actions and believe me if one is conscious of what one is doing one will desist – nay – never do anything that is wrong or hurts someone. ‘Free will‘ makes us conscious – aware – of the good old saying that ‘every action has a reaction’. It brings awareness in our life. William Penn advises us to do good without waiting when he says :
‘I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I will not pass this way again’.
Hence, – it is wrong to say we come `empty handed’ and go `empty handed’. The reality is we come with full hands and go with full hands. It is upto us : what we fill in our hands.
So to have a contended and happy life and a happy life thereafter let us be conscious of our thoughts and actions. Let us not forget that `thought is also an action’. I would conclude by quoting an often quoted saying :
‘we reap what we sow’.
NB :The author believes that to the aim of life in accounting jargon is to have a zero balance sheet – a balance sheet with no debits and with nil credits. The issue is this possible ! The answer is yes based on the belief that one is not the doer – In other words, one has to give up ownership of both – one’s thoughts and actions.
