Part I / V

Prayer

Question: If one sends loving thoughts and prayers for the loved ones who have passed on, do they reach and benefit the one who has gone from this world and will they know that they are loved and remembered?

Answer: Before understanding the correct answer to this question it should be borne in mind carefully that unions and separations of this physical world are governed by the inexorable Law of Karma. They have severed all connections with this physical plane and have been granted protection in accordance with their earnings. The prayers and their loving thoughts sent out by advanced souls do help the departed souls and they are cognisant of the same. *It may furthermore be understood that the near and dear relations of the sincere initiates are granted feasible protection in the beyond, even if they had left much earlier before they took initiation.

* (This section is adjusted to the First Edition of 1967;
Editor’s Note 2011.)

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Question: Is it proper to pray to God for favours (husband, job, etc.) or should we pray to know His Will and for the Grace to follow it?

Answer: The Masters do not entirely disfavour humble petitionary prayer for the achievement of worldly amenities. The life of the initiate is verily one long prayer in itself when at every step he or she feels obliged to pray before God or Master for being able to face the hazards of physical existence. But prayer for knowing the Divine Will of the Father and attaining Divine Grace to follow His Will is of a higher order. We should always pray for right understanding lest our erring intellect leads us astray from the holy Path. We cannot guide Nature or Master-Power but we can follow the Divine Will of the Lord. Please refer to the book 'Prayer – Its Nature and Technique' for elaborate explanation.

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Question: To have good effects from meditation, should one ask Forgiveness from the Master daily?

Answer: The loving disciple is always repentant for his or her trespasses and lapses committed consciously or unconsciously during the day and turns many times within in prayer. Prayer is not an outward show, but it is an anguished cry of the soul, which stirs the Divine Grace, and when it is directed and channeled smoothly, it works wonders and the dear initiate is filled with wondrous gratitude with His Grace.

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Question: May we pray to the Supreme one to bless Kal, since Kal is really doing His Will?

Answer: It is not necessary for us to pray for Kal or any other deity as it is absolutely immaterial for these powers who are being governed and guided by the Divine Will of the Lord.