It is true that we are not bound

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The Teachings of BhagavanSri Ramana Maharshiin His Own WordsCHAPTER TWOFROM THEORY TO PRACTICEAs was shown in the previous chapter, the theory that theMaharshi taught was intended only to serve as a basis forpractice. However, the demand for practice brought in anotherbranch of theory, that of free-will or predestination, since peoplewere not lacking who asked why they should make any effortif everything was predestined, or if all men returned to theirSource in any case.A visitor from Bengal said: Shankara says that we are allfree, not bound, and that we shall all return to God from whomwe came, like sparks from a fire. If that is so, why should we notcommit all sorts of sins?Bhagavan's reply showed him that that cannot be the point ofview of the ego.Bhagavan: It is true that we are not bound. That is to say, the realSelf has no bondage. And it is true that you will eventually returnto your Source. But meanwhile, if you commit sins, as you callthem, you have to face the consequences. You cannot escape them.If a man beats you, can you say: `I am free. I am not affected bythe beating and feel no pain. Let him continue beating'? If youcan really feel that, then you can do what you like, but what isthe use of just saying in words that you are free? 11 Day by Day with Bhagavan by Devaraja Mudaliar (5th Edition, 2002), p. 298-9.