Freewill

[Guest guest]

Dear devotees, Sairam. Pranams.

 

Our friend Srimanta has beautifully explained the concept of 'Free Will' using

the example of gold and necklace. I feel, however, it needs a little further

elaboration, to meet the point raised by our friend Adrina. Kindly allow me to

share the following views in this sathsang.

 

What is referred to as 'Free Will' by us is to be understood as 'manushya

sankalpa' or human initiative. This volition is available only to the highly

evolved beings ie., human beings. At lower levels, animals etc., act guided by

only by the force of habit or intuition. This volition only makes human beings

'something special'.

 

For example, after reading the message of Srimanta, I could have gone on to

another job. I have chosen to share my thoughts. Here I am exercising my free

will. This exercise is a karma. All the persons go on doing such karmas

throughout their lives. Such performance of karma is unavoidable. But there is

a marked difference in the nature of performance. Externally, all the persons

are performing karma. Sri Krishna has said that you have a right of choice over

karma but not over its results.

 

A sadhaka or Sai devotee also goes on performing karma. Even Sri Krishna went on

performing various karmas, even though He was beyond needs or desires. The

difference is basically in two things. First, in choice. A Sai devotee choses

his karmas carefully, in accordance with dharma. This means that he is always

guided by Universal Love and not merely by selfishness. Second, in involvement.

A Sai devotee performs with a sense of complete dedication. He does not claim

ownership to the fruits of his karma.

 

While karma is easily noticeable by others as his behavior, his sense of

dedication is not so noticeable, as it is his attitude.

 

These stipulations of 'Being guided by Universal Love' and 'Dedication of the

fruits of karma to God' are what Srimant refers as 'manufacturer's guidelines'.

 

 

If these guidelines are not understood and fully followed, the karma becomes

binding. It does not lead to Liberation but to further shackles.

 

It is easier said than done. We would not follow these guidelines unless we

realise the nature of 'free will' available to us fully. This 'free will'

available to us is like our friend teaching us 'cycling' leaving us to

ourselves, without letting us know about it, after giving some instructions to

look forward straightly and not to bend on either side and so on. He would be

running behind us, holding the carrier of the cycle, saying, "Don't look on

sides. Be confident. Don't bend this side or that side. Concentrate on

pedalling and be steady. I am holding. Don't worry." At one stage, he would not

hold the cycle but would let us go on our own, without telling us. If only we

had learnt the art and follow his instructions, we would proceed further

successfully. Otherwise, we would fall down and our friend would

'affectionately' chide us and ask us to do it all again.

 

So, the Free Will is no doubt available, especially for human beings. If

exercised in accordance with the instructions of our best friend Sri Sai we

would move towards Liberation. This is the right sadhana. If we do not do

follow the instructions, we shall have to do it all over again. Sri Krishna

promises that no 'yoga sadhana' goes waste. We shall have to pick up the thread

where we left in another janma.

 

Sai Ram

 

With kind regards,

 

K S Venkataraman, Editor, Nitya Kalyan