Revised July ’16
The whole universe is geared together like an infinitely complex, unfailing mechanism; all in perfect harmony. Eternal, uniform laws govern the whole, and by the law of eternal Karma all affects all in constant action and reaction… at one with the boundless river of life, flowing inexorably through time and space.
‘All action is driven by the laws of nature’ – B’Gita Ch: 13
Nature’s laws are incontrovertible, unchangeable and eternal. We depend on it for our learning, understanding and growth. Causal relationship helps us to see structure rather than separate unrelated events.
As a finely balanced clock with its parts, this infinite universe with galaxies, stars and planets down to the most microscopic elements, we are interdependent and at-one with everything – all governed by natural law.
By the forces of natural will, fire gives out heat, rivers flow to the ocean; the pull of desire, and repulsion by fear of mind and body is directed energy… from highest to lowest. We are compelled by the will and flow of nature, ‘Nature’s Destiny’ to find the shortest route… to fulfilment, balance and harmony, all in perfect union.
‘It is only nature’s qualities that act. He who understands that, and does not shun the qualities with indifference, attains divine nature and remains calm’. – B’Gita Ch: 14
There are no miracles independent of the laws of nature. What may appear so is just ignorance. We can debate or deny God or Gods, ground Zero, the primordial source of creation and its manifestations, the children of the Gods. But the laws by which this moment is governed, in space and time and all it contains, is undeniable… it is the ‘Holy Ghost’ of the physical universe.
Without universal constants – predictabilities found through experimentation and discovery – the products of science, engineering and architecture would not be possible.
As for our actions… we cannot help but act according to our beliefs, the way we see our world, and the will for survival, pleasure and happiness. The criminal acts because that is the way he sees his world, and acts by his will, his desire for survival. He may be bound (punished) by society as a consequence; lessons to learn for protection of himself and others – just as wild animals are separated for the good of all. No one to condemn or forgive… just cause, action and consequence.
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We unwittingly believe ourselves to be separate and individual, at the root and cause of our own destiny. Our ‘ego mind’ talks to us constantly – ‘I did this’, ‘I did that’… but we are far from independent of the universe of cause and effect that flows through, and with us, in orchestral harmony. Nor are we independent in our actions or intent. In reality we are as one, at one with all, acting in consequential cause and effect.
Matter, life and spirit are bound together as one, a vast river flowing through time and space, vibrant in its nature, consistent in action and enduring in its being… ignorance of this fact does not change it. In our ignorance we are innocent; in our actions we are part and one with nature’s great flow – however we may perceive it – not good… not bad.
So, what of ‘free-will’? For independence of will, our so called ‘free-will’, would require independence of being, with independent power. As a river takes the shortest route to the ocean, its power granted to it by gravity, lay of the land and the natural forces of nature… and so it is are we. No one can see and act beyond options found, choices understood. Nature compels us to see and take the choice we understand. You could say ‘yes, but we are conscious, we are free to choose’, but are we really free to choose the choice we make?
You might say ‘Ah, but we have independent thought and will, which gives us choice of direction.’ Is it really independent of ideas and thoughts that led up to it? Our thoughts are also integral, inseparable, with all there is. And how about the will to know and grow, fear and the will to defend… the will to find a better way? That is just the product of nature in action.
Yes we have will, but it is in no way free from circumstance that compelled it. It cannot choose beyond that granted by nature, any more than a river can choose direction of flow, compelled by nature’s gravity and the lay of the land. Our choices and preceding actions are simply Karma in action. Yes, we appear to choose, but are we really free to choose the choice we make? The way of this moment exists only because of everything that is before, within and without, in complete union.
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So, why are we so compelled to believe in free-will? – Our ego, all that we associate with our name and form, ideas, beliefs and expectations, is built on sensory desires and a perception of independence in a world of duality. It is in our nature to want to grow, possess, and preserve the form in which we find ourselves. Ideas of independent freedom is driven by personal desire and fear, which, in turn, is driven by memory and expectation – rarely true, and rarely fulfilled.
Our desire to be in control of our life and all it contains is quite natural – without it our survival would not last. We naturally feel compelled to want control over adversity and change… the fight to be in charge of our own destiny – the beginning and end of all our troubles.
‘A BELIEF IN FREE WILL touches nearly everything that human beings value. It is difficult to think about law, politics, religion, public policy, intimate relationships, morality—as well as feelings of remorse or personal achievement—without first imagining that every person is the true source of his or her thoughts and actions’. ~ Sam Harris
Much of our life is spent trying to be somewhere else. However, by consciously willing to be here, now, and go with the flow a great burden is lifted with a feeling of great freedom.
We could have been much happier people ourselves, but for our self-interest, leading to indifference to the sufferings of others; for we share their suffering – it is as much ours as it is theirs. The belief that we are the primary cause of our actions makes things personal, self-centred, and burdens the actor, not the act, with the weight of pride or guilt. ‘I did this’ or ‘I did that’ is one of the last bastions of ego to fall before enlightenment can dawn.
Only by freedom from ideas of personal ownership, attachment and expectation can we know true freedom – freedom from ourselves, and our notion of possession and attachment. To willingly go with the flow, along with the forces within and without. What flows along with us is there for as long as is needed. Clouds in the sky, corn in the fields, fish in the sea, they do not fight the wind or the flow of water; they join the dance in free and graceful motion with it.
Free of any idea of independence does not mean we would not act. The natural will of mind, body and community compel us to act – options found, choices made compelled by nature. “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin…”
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Giving up the notion of free-will, far from limiting us, leads to a life of freedom and adventure. All expectation is replaced by curiosity, adventure, discovery and learning. As a play on a stage, all great stories are full of surprise and discovery. If you could choose and know the outcome, how much fun is that? It is not to say we cannot change, it is precisely how we do change – by natural curiosity, observation, trial and learning. New and enlightened understanding leads to a natural change of intent and action… it is nature’s way for us to find a better way to peace and harmony.
We err without knowing and suffer without understanding. Our only hope: to stop, to look, to understand and to get out of the entrapment of memory, attachment and expectation. Our fixations contaminate imagination like a virus, generating desire, expectation and fear.
Only by the light of truth and understanding do we change our ways. Mindful action – reflection and insight – brings understanding and enlightened action.
Just watch, discover and learn, in mindful attention, the direction of your actions driven by the power of will, will naturally change – a better course towards our natural destiny. In ignorance it is our lot that we continue to repeat the errors of our ways, until mindfulness in action finds a better way. This was well elaborated in the film – ‘Groundhog Day’.
Visions and goals cease to be expectations, but simply a guiding light for alignment, direction and discovery. Until we accept nature’s laws, and trust its reliability, our journey is full of error. However, trial, error and discovery is the foundation of our growth. To our limited minds, natures laws appear so complex that at the very best, expectation can only ever be within tolerable limits, otherwise no building would stand, or planes fly. Such constructions were naturally full of error until sufficient lessons learned. The same is true as we break through new boundaries in our understanding.
Free from the idea that we have independent choice we expect nothing but what is; blame no one for the outcome and let consequence be our guide. Forgiveness is not required, of oneself or others, as there is no blame assigned, only cause and consequence. It may be painful, but the burden of self-guilt is instantly lifted… it has nothing to attach itself to. “Forgive them, for they know not what they do”
The mother lays fault with the act and not the child and loves him/her no less. No personal judgement, but the search for meaning and understanding. Through lack of understanding, the child may err with painful consequence. That does not say the child is to be judged bad. Badness does not belong to the child, but to the cause, action and consequence. Imagine if that was the social norm? Error is simply a voice to be heard and lessons to be learned. Crime is seen as misguidance of mind or illness to be resolved. Punishment is seen as a natural consequence; lessons to learn, and not some kind of personal damnation. Solutions are found in a world of education, understanding of consequence or the vagaries of mind.
Free of the personal and its attachment, judgement and condemnation is replaced by tolerance, understanding and kindness. In developing relationships a great kindness is to give each other the space to ‘screw up’ and learn from the experience. Fear of ‘screwing up’ binds one to a life of expectation and misery. Tolerance brings us closer together. If the tolerance required is found to be beyond our nature to cope, then it may be time to learn from the lesson and move on… with love and understanding.
To know this; to willingly, consciously, go with the flow is enlightened action; each spark of life, at one with, and playing its part, in this great universal orchestra.
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When we become more enlightened to options and consequences, good and bad, greater goodness in our actions naturally follow. Self-judgement is replaced by self-discovery and enlightenment. The burden of guilt falls away and we are free to love without condition, share without expectation. That does not say that you stay with unhealthy circumstances – you still separate yourself from it as best you can, as is natures will – for you and universal nature are at-one.
To follow the good takes great courage, and know that it is good for all. By the light of understanding the courage follows to do what is right. And what of courage? …it is simply ‘the power and direction of the will that follows understanding. And understanding? Well, just watch, listen, and pay attention, along with the presence of wise counsel in good company.
The message for the enlightened coach and counsellor is that we are all fundamentally looking for happiness and peace of mind. We all inwardly know the way. With love, care and patient understanding, natural-will guided by mindful-insight will find its way.
Pay attention, learn, understand, and ‘Go-with-the-flow’, and a great burden is lifted.
NaturesDestiny 