How can I change my destiny?

Our destiny is contingent on our karma and what we do with it. We change our destiny by learning how to work effectively with our karma. Directing one’s destiny is both a science and an art.

According to tantra yoga philosophy, each living being is at his or her core an eternal soul—a spark of the Divine Being. The soul, which by its very nature exists in a state of bliss, has become clouded by the thoughts of the mind, with which the soul is identified. A person’s unique nature—personality, physical characteristics and talents—are determined and shaped by his or her sam’ska’ras, or the potential future reaction to past actions, otherwise (incorrectly) known as karma.

Two kinds of action influence the mind and its clarity: an action caused by the individual (self-activated) and an action caused by a release of sam’ska’ra (karma-activated). On one hand, every action that the individual performs or causes to happen introduces a distortion (karma) into the mind. Indeed, every desire-motivated action clouds the mind. On the other hand, every action that is caused by the release of karma restores our mind to its undisturbed state, clears it, which brings the bliss of the soul closer to the surface.

In other words, any willful action, either good or bad, further imprisons the person inside the permutations of his or her psychology and personality. Good actions bind the human mind with potential pleasure, bad ones with potential pain. The crucial difference between good and bad action is that good action attracts Divine Grace. The Teacher Principle of the Universe manifests Itself as a guru to teach us how to leave the perpetual cycle of pain and pleasure that is normal human life.

It is hard to get rid of karma. Special conditions (a death of some kind) are required for it to ripen and then to find an outlet, i.e., to express itself and disappear from our consciousness. When it no longer contaminates the soul by its presence, human beings spontaneously come to know the Truth, which was dormant within, and, thus, achieve authentic freedom, bliss and satisfaction. That is why, while each individual is unique, fundamentally each person has the same destiny and life’s mission. The task is to recognize one’s unity with the Divine by purifying one’s mind, which is done by clearing oneself of karma.

How do we turn our life toward satisfaction and happiness?

Lord Krishna’s prescription for karmaless action is three-fold: act but be indifferent to the results of your actions, don’t be proud of your actions and, most importantly, offer every action to the Divine—be God’s willing instrument.

The process of clearing yourself of already accumulated karma starts with attracting a competent spiritual teacher who will teach you the method. Through tantric initiation, you receive the technique that will help you burn your karma at a dramatically increased rate. Initiated disciples immediately notice their lives becoming truly stimulating: there is always something fresh on the horizon. This is the result of karma being exhausted at an accelerated pace.

As a practical advice for the beginner, focus your mind on the positive and pay no attention to the negative. Develop good habits—let them become so numerous that the bad ones are crowded out from your life.