A devotee’s question: I’ve been thinking a lot about destiny, and like you were saying, the clock is already there, and it’s already decided, and I found myself constantly sort of at a crossroads. I’m also caring for my dog who’s dying, but there’s all these decisions to be made, so I’m always like,
“Okay, God, help me with that decision.”
It’s like one decision could create one outcome, another decision could create another, and I’m trying to trust that the decision is there, but I’m still making it, so I’m confused that if I take one path, one outcome might come, and if I take another, another might come. Does that make sense? I’m not sure exactly what my question is, but I’m confused.
Swami Nikhilanand Ji’s answer: “I would say, don’t worry about the outcome. Do the right thing. What comes, let it come. Just do the right thing in every situation, as best as you can understand what the right thing is.
And sometimes, as far as being aware of the limited time we have left, I tell people, physically speaking in the way you plan your physical life, plan as if you’re going to live for a hundred years. Meaning, retirement funds and all of that…you plan as if you’re going to live for a hundred years.
But spiritually speaking, live as if today is your last day, as it very well could be.
You can’t plan physically like that thinking,
“Well, today’s my last day, so who cares about my retirement fund?”
No, You have to plan physically for a long life. But spiritually, you should be in the frame of mind that this could be your last day. So how would I like to live it?”
Another devotee added: “If I heard you correctly, she was talking about her personal connection with an animal. A lot of people have that, and sometimes an animal gets sick. You know, when you have to decide whether to put the animal down...or let it die naturally. Could you talk about that? Because the animal also has a soul.”
Swami Nikhilanand Ji’s answer: “I don’t know what you’re asking.”
Devotee’s follow up question: “Well, my question is, I think that’s part of the dilemma, part of it. I don’t know what to do, and you say, ‘Do the right thing.’”
Swami Nikhilanand Ji’s answer: “Well, that’s a personal choice. I can’t advise you on that.”
