Whenever we perform any action and whenever we think any thought, an imprint-a kind of subtle groove-is made upon the mind. These imprints or grooves are known as samskaras. Sometimes we are conscious of the imprinting process; just as often we are not. When actions and thoughts are repeated, the grooves become deeper. The combination of "grooves"- samskaras-creates our individual characters and also strongly influences our subsequent thoughts and actions.

If we anger easily, for example, we create an angry mind that is predisposed to react with anger rather than with patience or understanding. As water when directed into a narrow canal gains force, so the grooves in the mind create canals of behavior patterns which become extraordinarily difficult to resist or reverse. Changing an ingrained mental habit literally becomes an uphill battle.If our thoughts are predominantly those of kindness, love, and compassion, our character reflects it, and these very thoughts will be returned to us sooner or later. If we send out thoughts of hatred, anger, or pettiness, those thoughts will also be returned to us.

A concern mentioned occasionally is that the concept of incarnation makes people fatalistic and pessimistic. This is not so. The concept of incarnation, when truly understood, actually does the exact opposite. It makes people optimistic and active. The concept is consistent with Vedic thinking. "God, does not work for you, He works with you" is one of the basic doctrines of Vedic thinking. The concept of Incarnation underlines this fact. God Incarnates only to assist those people who are engaged in selfless, constant work of spiritual enlistment, who take the trouble to reach out to others with the message of the divine brotherhood of men under the fatherhood of God.