What is Grace

What is grace and do we need it for our spiritual progress?

'Grace' can be seen as goodwill or a random act of goodness that occurs beyond one's conscious control. Due to religious connotations, in today's world, most people who are non-religious shy away from the concept of grace or divine grace. But,

are we missing something important by ignoring the concept of grace and allowing space for it in our modern lives?

In our logical, sequential ways of modern life, we agree with action and consequence or result. We overly rely on effort from our side to create anything meaningful. While effort is necessary is it enough? For example, I may want to become a singer and I practise daily, put all my effort into what is within my reach but without someone willing to give me a break, an opportunity will I ever make it? What decides when I get that break? Is it all randomised? While one person gets a break, someone else well deserving doesn't get it, is that by chance? Or is there more to it?

Spiritual texts of the Vedas, Upanishads (Vedanta) as well as Yoga refer to 'divine grace' frequently. Grace is said to bestowed upon us in the form of guidance that comes from seemingly nowhere, at the right time in our lives and elevate our spiritual progress to new heights. The texts declare that without divine grace, no progress is possible. But this grace is not random, it only bestowed upon one who is sincere in their practise and committed to growth despite all obstacles on their path.

For example, the method of Karma Yoga (one of the methods prescribed in Yoga texts) prescribe three steps namely, Endurance, Self-study and Surrender. Let's break this down,

1. Endurance: Living life with an attitude that everything that is difficult and testing is building our resilience and is helpful for our spiritual growth. In other words, persevering through hardships.

2. Self-study: Being curious about our thoughts, feelings, speech and behaviours from a point of balancing our views and achieving equipoise or equanimity. In other words, refraining from self-criticism.

3. Surrender: Maintaining an attitude of humbleness and keeping our ego in check by acknowledging that there is more than what our conscious mind controls. An attitude that everything is happening well and to the highest good of all involved, even when we cannot see it with our conscious mind.

So, you can see where effort and grace fit in with those three steps. Without the last step prescribed above, we will exhaust ourselves with effort and feel frustrated with not being able to achieve what we want, when we want it. But,

the element of surrender allows room for patience, wonder, curiosity, mystery, willingness, flexibility, and non-attached effort even when results are not immediately tangible

Perhaps the antidote for today's stressful life is the concept of 'divine grace' and waiting for things to happen when the time is right, while continuing to put effort in a relaxed manner...

What are your thoughts? Have you had experiences that felt like grace in action? Share in the comment box below.

Love,

Prabha