Everyone Says You Get What You Deserve. Can We Change What We Deserve?

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It is true when people say, ‘what we get is what we deserve.’

Life is a direct result of our causes. Every action, words spoken, and the thoughts we have, all have a direct consequence on our life. That is why we are constantly cautioned to be aware of not hurting others.

For example, if we hurt, lie or cheat others, basically every hurtful intent which gives pain to any living being, will result in pain-giving effects to us. Therefore, we must always ensure that no living being is hurt to the slightest extent, or to begin with, cultivate this intent of not hurting others.

Similarly, when we keep seeing the faults of others, this too will bear fruits. For example, when someone says something unkind or hurts our pride or ego and we think of getting even, this feeling of revenge will bear us fruits of pain! When someone hurts us, we should understand, this is a result of my own past deeds, and the people seen to be causing hurt to me are merely instrumental in returning to me the effect of my own cause.

We cannot see our own faults. Then, what right do we have of seeing faults in others? The only faults we need to focus on are our own, and no one else’s. Our perception of others is a reflection of ourselves. No one can utter or do anything to you, unless you yourself are at fault – such is the rule. When we see faults in others, we are concealing our own faults, and this is the root cause of our ongoing suffering and misery.

How can we change what we deserve?

If we happen to hurt or have had thoughts of hurting others, then here are some scientific result bearing solutions:

Start your morning by reciting five times the following sentence: “let no living being be hurt even to the slightest extent through my mind, speech, and body.” By reciting this sentence daily, you have decided that you do not want to hurt any living being. This forms the basis of human life. Doing so, you will get beautiful results.

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Ask for forgiveness (pratikraman). Pratikraman is to reverse our bad deeds. For example, if you have hurt someone through your mind, speech or action, then ask for forgiveness by following the three-step process:

alochana – confessing the mistake to the Lord within,

pratikraman – asking for forgiveness for that mistake, and finally,

pratyakhyan – making the firm resolve to never repeat the mistake again.

Pratikraman is a powerful tool that reverses bad deeds. This also makes you feel lighter and brings about a positive change in our relation with the person or with the fault concerned.

Recite the ‘Nine Deep Inner Intents’, three times daily. This will bring about a beneficial change from the root level of any cause. When we change the cause, the effects too will positively change, and this is one of the primary reasons for bringing about everlasting peace.

These are a few effective changes that you can incorporate into your daily life. They are results-based, so try them out and experience positive changes taking place within you.