Questioner (Q): Is our life destined?
Acharya Prashant (AP): Of course it is destined. Don’t you see that? Otherwise, why would life exist? Life exists, so that it may meet its destiny. And as long as it doesn’t, it remains restless. Mind exists, so that it may meet its destiny. And the destiny of the mind is Peace — the dissolution of mind. That is your destiny.
Q: Is everything pre-planned?
AP: Not in the sense of meeting the destiny.
Destiny and planning are not the same things. Nothing is pre-planned. You can proceed as per your planning but if your planning is not in sync with the destiny, then your plans will only give you more suffering. You are free to do whatever you want to do. You can go right; you can go left. But if you must go right, and you go left, then going left, you will keep suffering.
So, planning is in your hands. The mind plans. You can plan whatever you want to.
Q2: That’s freewill.
AP: Apparent free will. It is not free because ultimately it has to surrender. What you call as 'freewill' must ultimately surrender. But as long as it proceeds as free, it keeps on labelling itself as free. We have beggars who are named ‘*karorimal*’ (a rich person). So, one can call desires as freewill, it’s alright!
Q3: Sir, does it mean that if presently, the mind is peaceful, then we are proceeding in the right direction?
AP: It cannot be peaceful if this doubt is there, or if this desire to ascertain is there. When the mind is peaceful, then there is no need to determine whether it is peaceful. And what would come out of that peace?
Peace is an end in itself. Peace does not lead to anything.
Q3: No question should arise once peace is attained.
AP: Even this is an imposition upon Peace.
A lot can arise from Peace, but still, Peace is an end in itself. That is why whatever arises from Peace is complete in itself. Because Peace is complete, hence what arises from Peace does not lead to the incompletion. So, questions can arise, comments, and doubts can arise from Peace.
Kindly give up this image that when somebody is peaceful, then he will not speak anymore. By that standard, I must be the most peace-less person.
