Namaste. From past 10 days or so, my heart starts beating very fast when I work in office. I thought because I get so much serious about work. I offer myself to the higher self and make him responsible, as a doer, yet I cannot get rid of this. Please suggest.
Tanzing
—Tanzing, India
Dear Tanzing,
The first thing I would do if I were you is have a medical examination by a competent and experienced doctor. Fast racing heart can be a symptom of a wide range of maladies and I would check into that first.
Yes, God is indeed the Doer but our pathway to that realization is not so easily achieved by the mere intellectual assent to it. One time Paramhansa Yogananda, whom many consider an avatar and a true world teacher, was once admonished by a friend to “not be nervous before giving a public lecture.” He was running because he was late for the lecture. He called back, while still running, “I’m not nervous but not to run when one is late would be irresponsible!”
It is natural and right to feel a sense of responsibility in performing your duties. From that arises just as naturally some degree of concern and stress, with the result of nervous symptoms. Deeper, longer, guru-given meditation” will go a long way but if there is a health issue in the body, it is also advisable to seek medical examination as well as prayer and meditation. Don’t exclude anything.
Like the devotee who ignored the cries of the mahoot (elephant driver) and got ran over: he complained to God saying “Why did this happen when I totally depend upon you, Lord?” “God replied: I called to you through the voice of the mahoot but you didn’t listen!”
God may be speaking to you through your body!
May you be well and in God’s joy always,
Nayaswami Hriman
