Q. Dear Master, when we have a few problems, how do we know which one is fixed karma and which one is Master's testing? Which one takes priority?

M. Actually there is no testing for us; we test ourselves. Just like when we have some hardship, we say, "Oh, God has tested me!" It is not true. It is because of our karma, because of our tendency toward the negative way that we experience hardship. So the only way is to turn back to the positive, and then we experience a different way. We can do it by self-discipline or by prayer. Then we turn everything into a better way. Whether it's karma or God testing, it will be better.

Q. The key to a happy life, what does it really mean to You? I thought that the only key to a happy life is to depend upon yourself, and to live your life the way you want.

M. It's not we living our lives the way we want that brings happiness; this most often brings disasters. If we live our lives the correct way, then we are free. And then of course we will be happy... not what we want. In everything there is some judgement and some kind of definite way.

For example, we say, "I have a car, I can drive anywhere I want." That will bring problems. But if we drive on the proper road and with the proper attention, then of course we will be at our destination very fast. If we run all over the place, we will bring trouble to ourselves; even though we call that freedom. Freedom without discipline will bring disaster. And the way many of us lead our lives brings misery, as you can see all around you. Therefore, there is a definite way to lead our lives in order to have true and lasting happiness. That is the life of a gentlemen, that is the life of a sage, who does things according to the universal harmony, and not according to the dictation of the restless mind.

Q. Dear Master, all things come from inner Buddha nature. If so, is there real free will or free choice?

M. No! We just dream that we have free choice, and we make a lot of mess with this free choice, which we should have given up in the beginning anyhow. But we can only do that with sincere devotion to God or whomever we believe in. And we can only do that through enlightenment, because then we know it's not we who do things, it's the universal plan. Then we will not reject our job, we will not throw away our wife or children or get a divorce or anything, we will know what it is, and we will lead a more contented and happy life. You see, this is free will.

For example, God's plan is that I have to put my umbrella here. And now I don't like to put it here. Why should I put it here? I feel I should put it there, I put it there. Why not? Okay? Now I upset the environment and the plan for a while. Then I feel very uncomfortable, and my umbrella will break over there, and I don't know why. If I had put it here, it wouldn't have been broken. So now, eventually, I will have to bring it back and put it here.

Now, suppose you divorce your wife or your husband or reject your job, and think now: I am free. That's it, fantastic. I have taken the matter into my hands, and now I am free of her or him. And you think you have done a decisive and very wise thing. And what happens? Maybe a few days or a few months later you will meet someone else. Maybe worse than that one.

So, the experience you have to go through anyhow. Maybe you think you have changed it. But no! It's just been postponed. Or maybe God lets you turn around the corner but you go back to the same road again.