Let us consider the question of choice and free will.
Say you are in a position where you have to choose between two possibilities A and B.
Assume you chose B. Now was this really a free choice?
On the surface, it seems as though you chose B out of your own free will. However, notice that in the act of evaluating the choices, your subconscious invariably brings out past memories related to the choices A and B. These past impressions cannot be ignored while in the process of choosing. Also, the state of mind you are in at the moment of choosing matters. What are the imagined consequences of choosing either A or B? And then comes moments where the forces that govern our lives bring circumstances to the point wherein the choice gets made. The variables in question are simply too many to factor out and the interrelations among them result in the making of the choice.
So, what factor ultimately makes the choice? Notice that your mind is a container of various impressions or programs. These programs run your daily life. Sometimes they cause joy. More often pain. Our lives are not ours alone but influenced by those we come in contact with. It is these complex intermingling of impressions that create decisions and a self is created as the owner of the decision. A self is fabricated to claim ownership of all choices and decisions. This is done merely to make things simple. Thoughts can easily be implanted in the mind which can create anguish. The only way out is to give up hope or desire.
In this sometimes ruthless battle of cause and effect, of opposing forces of light and dark, is there an absolute truth? There is seeming choice.
The play of impressions is the factor governing life. There only seems to be choice.
Say you are in a position where you have to choose between two possibilities A and B.
Assume you chose B. Now was this really a free choice?
On the surface, it seems as though you chose B out of your own free will. However, notice that in the act of evaluating the choices, your subconscious invariably brings out past memories related to the choices A and B. These past impressions cannot be ignored while in the process of choosing. Also, the state of mind you are in at the moment of choosing matters. What are the imagined consequences of choosing either A or B? And then comes moments where the forces that govern our lives bring circumstances to the point wherein the choice gets made. The variables in question are simply too many to factor out and the interrelations among them result in the making of the choice.
So, what factor ultimately makes the choice? Notice that your mind is a container of various impressions or programs. These programs run your daily life. Sometimes they cause joy. More often pain. Our lives are not ours alone but influenced by those we come in contact with. It is these complex intermingling of impressions that create decisions and a self is created as the owner of the decision. A self is fabricated to claim ownership of all choices and decisions. This is done merely to make things simple. Thoughts can easily be implanted in the mind which can create anguish. The only way out is to give up hope or desire.
In this sometimes ruthless battle of cause and effect, of opposing forces of light and dark, is there an absolute truth? There is seeming choice.
The play of impressions is the factor governing life. There only seems to be choice.
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