The mind functions by the power of the Self. The Intellect, which is endowed with the capacity of discrimination, is also the instrument of the Self. The Intellect has the capacity to discriminate, to decide and to investigate. Samskara which consists of tendencies which one develops in one’s life, forms the foundation for the next life. The tendencies are like seeds, which sprout later. It is said that the last thoughts of a man on his deathbed decide his next life. The last thoughts of man are decided by his dominant thought in his life. If we wish to think of the Lord at our deathbed, we must prepare ourselves for the final end by thinking of the Lord. Our own practices in life decide the final thought. This can be substantiated by an example. If you have the habit of rotating the rosary with your fingers the finger rotates involuntarily, even if you are unaware of it. Similarly, people who have the habit of snuffing, take their fingers automatically to their nose.
It is said in Bhagavad Gita (chapter12:12):
sreyo hi Jnanam abhyasaj
jnanad dhyanam visisyate
dhyanat karma-phala-tyagas
tyagac chantir anantaram
‘Sreyo hi Jnanam Abhyasaj’ knowledge is obtained by practice. As good practices are firmly implanted in the human system, so also the bad habits. It is by virtue of good practices alone that we will have a good next life. (SSB 1993, pp. 99-100)