Free Will

[TDW1995]

"Existence is infinitely intelligent.  Think of existence as an entire chess board, it controls all of the chess pieces (and we are the chess pieces and we think we have free will and separate identities).  It knows every move and every future move, this is because everything is conducted by and takes place in existence." -Jack Freeman, Owner of Only Freedom Matters

I realize the importance of not believing anything in this work.  But, if there's anything I want to take and run with prior to realizing the truth, it's this idea here.  If we are indeed not in control of our own lives, then it's almost like I have an excuse for any issues in my life (motivation problems, relationship problems, etc.).  Now this is living from the egoic paradigm, so all of our issues may be illusory.  But, am I justified in using the lack of free will excuse to go about my life each day?  Don't get the idea that I'm going to tell my boss to eat sh*t, but if that did happen, I guess I wasn't in control of what words came out of my mouth.

[Lento]

Free will vs. Determination is just a story you tell yourself about reality. Why do we love stories?

[Forestluv]

1 hour ago, TDW1995 said:

If we are indeed not in control of our own lives, then it's almost like I have an excuse for any issues in my life (motivation problems, relationship problems, etc.).  

If this “I” is not in control, then how can I control how I think about my lack of control?

The idea of personal choice has practical value in personal survival, personal development and navigating life. Yet identification to the belief keeps one contracted in self.

 

 

 

[TDW1995]

Exactly. Every thought or idea typed on this screen was predetermined. 

[Lento]

1 minute ago, TDW1995 said:

Exactly. Every thought or idea typed on this screen was predetermined. 

Yeah, cool story bro!

[Consilience]

Here’s the spooky thing about reality... free will is precisely no free will and no free will is precisely free will. Look in your experience and notice how both perspectives can manifest. It’s not one or the other, we could say it’s both or neither and yet language will never be able to capture the paradox of this. This is what Ive experienced at least  

Leo’s video on relativity applies here. 

[TDW1995]

Yet another thing the human mind can't grasp.

[Consilience]

2 hours ago, TDW1995 said:

Yet another thing the human mind can't grasp.

Yet you can still grasp it. The mind is a tool that’s great at grasping logic and reason (well.. sometimes. Some minds struggle with even this). 

Literally look and watch as you can surrender will in your experience, taking on the perspective of reality continuing to move and operate without any intervention of will. And equally, notice how conscious intention and action can freely manipulate and control, manifest various outcomes. Let go of the idea that the nature of free will is a function of mind but rather a function of experience and consciousness. 

Once you can see this paradox playing out, and your mind is okay with paradox, then your mind will be content, albeit it wont be able to make a rational, logical argument for why this is possible. 

[TDW1995]

I've tried to do this through my thoughts.  I have asked the questions, "who willed this thought into reality?, and who is in control of what thought will come next?"  Not sure if this is kind of what you're talking about @Consilience .  

[Consilience]

36 minutes ago, TDW1995 said:

I've tried to do this through my thoughts.  I have asked the questions, "who willed this thought into reality?, and who is in control of what thought will come next?"  Not sure if this is kind of what you're talking about @Consilience .  

That’s a great start. I wouldn’t necessarily say thoughts are in our control anymore than the sun rising and setting is. Im just meaning literally directed action leading to outcomes is possible. For example, you hear the call, the passion to get really jacked and become a bodybuilder. Well, perhaps the call toward that passion wasn’t “in your control” but the decision of whether to actualize this vision is. Or something smaller. You have the urge, the drive to wake up at 6:00am. Maybe this drive isn't in your control but the decision of whether waking at 6:00am is. You can either wake up, or not wake up... both realities are freely allowed to manifest. And equally, as these realities unfold and actualize, you can drop back and observe them as though no one was in control.

And to take this one step further, awakening to the True Self means all reality that’s unfolding is in accordance with your will, and your will is so infinite that it’s completely free to be what it wants. But this is entering into thought-story realms and none of it should be believed. Instead, I invite you to consider that maybe all of reality and all thoughts and experiences appearing are actually in accordance with your free will, you just aren’t conscious of this fact yet. And this will is manifesting in the same way no free will would. Such that it appears that there is no control whatsoever.

The more work Ive done with meditation, contemplation, and psychedelics, the more twisted and paradoxical free will appears to be. All I offer is my perspective and I do recognize it sounds like bullshit relative to rationalism. Im sure intellectuals like Sam Harris would love tearing it down haha.

But just try to be open that both free will and no free will are occurring simultaneously. If such a truth was true, how would that change the way you live life? 

Edited December 1, 2019 by Consilience

[TDW1995]

I guess it wouldn't change the way I live till truth reveals itself.  Very paradoxical indeed.

[Lento]

@TDW1995

The thing is, remember how free-will used to make 100% sense to you? Do you see that now it doesn't mean sh*t? ?

The same thing shall happen to you with the 'no-free-will' concept before you'd be able to truly see the paradox.

[TDW1995]

Yes, the ego assumes it knows everything, but it clearly doesn't. 

[Lento]

@TDW1995

The ego knows that it doesn't know. It just so cunningly covers up its ignorance with stories.