INESSENCE 2 DESIGNING YOUR DESTINY
THE FIVE TRUTHS
Truth 1: Soul (atma) - Our physical body is
nothing more than a costume. We are spirit
souls; the consciousness which animates the
body. This life is merely one chapter in a much
longer story.
Truth 2: Material World (prakrti) - The world is
a cosmic university, wired to awaken wisdom.
Though we come here to enjoy life through
material pursuits, we invariably end up
searching for deeper meaning and fulfilment
beyond the material
Truth 3: Activity (karma) – We came here out
of free will and we perpetuate our existence
based on free will. Every action draws a
concomitant reaction. Karma is nature’s way to
educate and evolve us.
Truth 4: Time (kala) - Our life, the universe and
everything in material existence moves in the
cyclical wheel of time. We go around and
around, gradually deepening our awareness
and purifying our consciousness till we gain
release from the cycle
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SUMMARY
Truth 5: God (isvara) - Our ‘human journey’
is an opportunity to reawaken our eternal
relationship with God and return to the
spiritual world, where every step is a dance
and every word a song. We do this through
the process of yoga.
In conclusion: As souls living in the material
world, we are performing activities within the
jurisdiction of time, though we actually
belong in the spiritual world with God.
FATE OF FREE WILL?
Architected by Divinity, the law of karma dictates
that every action triggers subsequent reactions.
The reactions are not random but specifically
tailored to help us learn, evolve and elevate our
consciousness. Rather than seeing karma as
something scary, harsh, and insensitive, we can
see it as a tool of Divinity to bring people to a
higher awareness. Therefore, according to the
Bhagavad-gita, nothing happens by chance – our
current situation is dictated by previous karma,
and in that sense there is destiny beyond our
control.
However, free will still exists because in any given
situation we still have the power to respond in
whatever way we choose. Those choices will
then craft the next chapter of existence. In any
given situation there is always an element of fate
(Karma) and free will (Choice). Thus, we never
reach a dead end in life. We always have the
power to say this is not how the story is going to
end! Where we are doesn’t define who we are.
INESSENCE 2 DESIGNING YOUR DESTINY REFLECTION

Q Identify three major turning points in

your life – it could be an event,
interaction or situation which shifted
your life trajectory. Did you realise at
that time they would be so
Q Think of a situation that you find
yourself facing again and again –
maybe a relationship struggle, a
financial issue, a physical ailment or
prominent? Do you feel the same way emotional challenge. Can you identify
about them now as you did then? Do a lesson that you failed to learn which
you feel there was a purpose behind may be causing this to reappear?
those things?

1.

2.

3.

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INESSENCE EVOLVE YOUR VISION CHANGE YOUR WORLD

THIS WEEK’S READING

Chapter 2: Designing your Destiny
This chapter discusses, among other things,
karma and reincarnation and how the
individual, the conscious soul, moves from one
body to another only to create a new drama.
Shakespeare was right when he said, ‘All the
world’s a stage.’ The world’s a stage on which
we must serve the desires of others and seek to
fulfil our own.

CHANGE THE WORLD!

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through wisdom. If you have found the wisdom
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