Page 307 - Mystic Pathways through the Bible

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chapter seVeNteeN 301
3. Debt to one’s forefathers, paid by promoting righteous conduct in life that brings glory and fame to the family in which one is born.
4. Debt to human beings, paid by serving them in various sel ess ways.
5. Debt to animals, paid by being kind and compassionate towards all living creatures.
For whatever imperfections may exist in the
proper ful llment of these debts, seek the forgiveness of God. In turn, develop the quality of forgiveness towards others. To the extent you forgive another and have the capacity to understand them lovingly, to that extent you become the recipient of Divine Grace and forgiveness.
ß And lead us not into temptation, ß but deliver us from evil.
According to Yoga philosophy, the source of evil is avidya or ignorance, which is the lack of awareness of one’s Divine Identity. When ignorance is removed by the intuitive knowledge that “I Am One with God,” you become a Jivan Mukta—one liberated in life. This is the very goal that is sought through this prayer to God.
That which leads you away from the path to Self- realization—God—is called temptation. Numerous temptations are arrayed before every individual. As an aspirant you learn to turn away from what is