10.2: Destiny and Free Will
Is the living entity in the material world controlled or free?
Are his activities pre-determined or does he choose them himself?
Philosophers, theologians, and scientists throughout the centuries have pondered and discussed this age-old theme.
People generally like to think that they are totally free. Think of anything you know or have heard that supports the idea of the living entity being controlled, even when he thinks he is free.
Why wouldn't it be correct to say that we are completely controlled and have absolutely no free will?
- We wouldn't be responsible for our own actions and get karma (animals don't accumulate karma, because they cannot make independent decisions).
- That would make God whimsical for sending some living entities to enjoy in heaven and other to suffer in hell.
- Krishna is supremely independent; His parts and parcels are therefore also minutely independent.
- If we had no free will, how could we surrender? And how could there be any love?
What is our freedom? How does our free will manifest in daily life?
Here are a few examples:
- Following Krishna's instructions or not (We have the free will to submit ourselves to the control of material nature or Krishna's instructions.)
- Choosing to do good in moments of moral dilemma
- A person may become attracted to a certain mode and thus associate with it and thus develop that mode more within himself.