Won’t Karma obstruct Meditation?

Devotee: If everything happens according to karma (prarabdha, the result of one’s acts in the past) how is one to overcome the obstacles to meditation (dhyana)?

Maharshi: Prarabdha concerns only the out-turned, not the in-turned mind. One who seeks his real Self will not be afraid of any obstacle.

Words of Grace
Spiritual Instruction (Upadesa Manjari)
Practice (Abhyasa)
Item 21