Theos-Talk Archives (February 2011 Message tt00037)

1. My brief answer is that karma and free will coexist and work
together. They do not conflict because in each individual cause-effect
link they are separated in time: We first make choices and then have to
face their consequences.

2. See below.

3. In the context of this forum, I would define freedom as the power to
act or speak or think without internally imposed restraints (but
externally imposed restrictions still apply).

Swami Vivekananda has vigorously advocated the view that internally we
are already completely free and always were free; the work is to become
aware of this truth and give up all slavery and bondage. Osho (also
known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh) was a radical advocate of breaking away
from all kinds of self-imposed restrictions -- guilt, suffering, tense
mind, the spiritual goal, and even oneself.

However, this is easier said than done. We usually are poorly integrated
and have not one but multiple personalities that take control in turns
and tear us apart which results in self-obstruction and conflicting
choices. Gurdjieff used to say that one personality may decide to
realize one's inherent freedom, but the next personality in charge may
want something else (e.g., a cake or an ice cream), and this drags on
indefinitely. It often results in indecisiveness and procrastination
that paralyse our will and poison our productivity; in severe cases,
there is a physchotic condition known as dissociate identity disorder,
or stupor, or something else like that.

Max


--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Spirituality" <mail@...> wrote:
>
> I'm preparing a lecture for our local lodge on the topic of karma and
free will. I have my own thoughts of course, but am wondering what you
all think. Do free will and karma conflict? How does the neurological
evidence fit in? What really IS freedom in the first place?
>
> Katinka
> http://www.katinkahesselink.net/
>