Questioner (Q): Are we responsible for our actions? Or is it just happening to us? Because, if life happens to us then we are not responsible?
Acharya Prashant (AP): No, you are responsible, you are responsible to let it happen through you. Your only responsibility is towards the Truth. That is your first and only responsibility. You let it happen. You are greatly responsible. who says you are not responsible?
Q: Can I give an example? So, for example, my friend, she is a beautiful girl and she behaves in a very provocative way with men and when men come and try to seduce her, to meet her. She says, “I don’t want any relationship. I don’t want to be with any guy.” And I am saying to her, “You behave in a very specific way that attracts a lot of guys. Your behavior, you cause that behavior in men.” I can see that very much. And she says,” I am not doing anything it’s just happening.” She causes a lot of grief in a lot of men and to herself.
AP: You know, there is the ordinary woman, who is seen as a seductress, as being provocative, if suppose she behaves in particular ways, and here in Kashmir, we have had a woman who walked absolutely naked and she was the most beautiful woman. She walked naked when she was young, and she is revered as a saint.
Is it the behavior that is the cause of grief? It is the center from where it comes; one could be walking totally naked on the streets, and yet be arousing only the element of the divine in the heart of those who look at you. So, it is not as if the act is spontaneous and not deliberate. Kindly remember that when the action is not happening by you, then you would also never suffer the fruits of the action. And if you are suffering the fruits of the action, rest assured that, you are the doer.
