Everything is predetermined

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The Teachings of BhagavanSri Ramana Maharshiin His Own WordsCHAPTER TWOFROM

THEORY

TO PRACTICEHe sometimes also made such statements to devotees.All the activities that the body is to go through aredetermined when it first comes into existence. It does not restwith you to accept or reject them. The only freedom you haveis to turn your mind inward and renounce activities there. 1With reference to Bhagavan's reply to Mrs. Desai on theevening of January 3, 1946, I asked him: Are only the importantevents in a man's life, such as his main occupation or profession,predetermined, or are trifling acts also, such as taking a cup ofwater or moving from one part of the room to another?Bhagavan: Everything is predetermined.I: Then what responsibility, what free will has man?B.: Why does the body come into existence? It is designedfor the various things that are marked out for it in this life.... Asfor freedom, a man is always free not to identify himself withthe body and not to be affected by the pleasures and painsconsequent on its activities. 21 Day by Day with Bhagavan by A. Devaraja Mudaliar (5th Edition, 2002), p. 245.2 Day by Day with Bhagavan by A. Devaraja Mudaliar (5th Edition, 2002), pp. 91-2.