Not everything is Karma - there is also free will

[Guest guest]

> > Everything is karma because free will is included in karma. Free will is

> > what we do, karma is what we get back from the activities done by our

> > free will. If I go and hit someone on the head, that is my free will.

> > When he comes back to hit me in return, that is my karma.

> >

> > Ys, Jahnu das

> I usually agree with you, but this time I differ. I think you are not free

> to hit him - the desire to do or not to do so is due to your past karma.

> For the opportunity to be there for you to hit him is also due to past

> karma, and having a man's body big enough to do so is also karma, and for

> having a reason is also! And you get the karma for that - that is how the

> web of karma entangles us further. Our freedom is (I think - I am

> guessing) at a very deep level when we sense these activities are not

> really in our self-interest.

>

> But even the activities we are "held responsible for" by the laws of

> nature are also impelled upon us by karma, unless we surrender to the big

> K. So "free will" is really not free will to choose our activities as we

> are impelled 100% by material nature, but the ability to petition God. How

> about that?

 

That sounds a bit fatalistic, isn´t it? Why is it then, that Krsna has given

e.g. Manu-samhita, the "lawbook of mankind" for the general populace? Is it

just meant as a joke, since there is no free will anyway? Or why Yamaraja is

punishing people after death when they are actually not the causes for their

sinful activities?

 

This is actually one main blame from the e.g. the Christians towards Hindus

at large: they often display an apparent indifference towards life in this

world, especially when it comes to judging or helping underpriviledged

people like the "untouchables". Some of them even say (which is funny to

hear for us, of course): "Yes, if Krsna wants, I will surrender to Him...".

 

My Guru Maharaja once said that if you see somebody in an emergency

situation - which was obviously caused by his or her bad karma - and you

don´t help this person even though you could, then this becomes also your

karma!

 

According to your philosophy, we can close down right now all of our

conferences, because the outcome is already predestined. Or do you think

that we are discussing on the transcendental plane? - I for myself have my

doubts in this regard. Prabhupada was pointing out that we have a free will,

even though it may be minute (I can´t give you a quote right now, maybe

later, sorry).

 

Your humble servant

Vedanta-krit Dasa