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CONFLUENCE OF OPPOSITES
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The wicked has his eyes turned outwards in the direction of the world of desire and lust, while the Realm of Life lies inwards. On the other hand, the righteous man is the doer of the right thing, and the right thing is the will of the Lord, that is to say what pleases Life. Hence is the Lord far from the wicked, but he heareth the prayer of the righteous !
Again be who will pray to Life must be endowed with Right Faith, that is to say, he must believe in the divinity of Life, for it is said: "He that turdeth away his ear from hearing the law, oven
his prayer shall be abomination" (Proverbs, xxviii. 9). The devotee should also be free from himså (causing injury to living beings)
“And when ye spread forth your hande, I will hide mine eyes
from you; yes, when ye make many prayers, I will not
hear. Your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah, i. 15) Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct are then indispensable for prayer; it is vain for anyone else to pray.
The third point is: what is to be asked for in prayer? This is practically already answered under the second head; there should be nothing against Law (Dharma), and nothing that would be incompatible with Right Faith. The faithful should only attend to the business of the 'father' (Luke, ii. 49). That is the only thing we can ask from Life.
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