Spiritual Accounting: Taking Stock of Life’s Credits and Debits

April 18, 2021

Historically, April 15th is “tax day” in the United States-—a day when individuals submit their income tax to the federal government. In his discourse today, Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj used this example to explain the importance of taking stock of how we lead our lives. In financial accounting, he said, we try to minimize our debits and maximize our credits so we can yield optimal profits.

There is another kind of accounting that impacts each of us, the spiritual Master said, and that is the accounting of how we lead our lives. This accounting is a collection and recognition of our every thought, word, and deed. If our thoughts and words are positive, loving, and peaceful, and if our actions are helpful and uplifting, they figure as credits in our balance sheet.

If, on the contrary, we are negative, violent, and hurtful in our thoughts, words, and actions, they count as debits in our ledger. This record of credits and debits accumulates daily, at every hour, every minute, and every moment of our lives, and we are held accountable, he said. When this realization of accountability sets in, we realize we want to do better. We take steps to improve our lives in the here and now. As with financial accounting, it is important that we monitor our thoughts, words, and deeds regularly to fine-tune and course-correct. We want to ensure we are leading our lives in the best possible manner, such that we enrich our lives and the lives of those around us.

In business, a good accountant can guide us in our monetary bookkeeping. In the spiritual arena, this guidance comes to us from the saints and spiritual Masters. They are familiar with the intricacies and pitfalls of this human existence, the laws of creation, and our connection with the Creator. They come to guide humanity to lead the kind of life that God wants for us. By teaching us the technique of meditation, they help us connect with the inner Light of God so that we can experience our connection with the Creator and with each other. When we experience God’s love for ourselves, we become imbued in divine love, and happiness and joy overtake us. The fragrance of God’s love begins to radiate from us to all in our orbit. As we embrace everyone as our very own, our thoughts, words, and actions become more loving and peaceful.