Today, we would like to draw your attention to some aspects of what
is often described as free will. The so-called free will has often been
commented upon several times by Swami, but few seem to be aware of what
Bhagavan Baba has said. Free will, so-called, goes hand in hand with what is
perceived as freedom, both individual and collective. These days there is not
only a lot of talk about freedom, especially freedom of expression, but also
many unwanted fallouts from them. It is therefore important to reflect at least
a little, on these critical issues.
Swami says that God has hardwired all agencies in Nature except
humans. What He means is that every entity in Nature except humans, be it
inanimate like galaxies or planets, or animate living creatures from
single-cell micro organisms up to the elephant and the monkey, does exactly
what it is supposed to do – no more or no less; this has been the case for
millions of years. Thus, sharks behave today more or less the way they did a
hundred thousand years ago.
In the case of humans, there is a fundamental difference. God gave
humans several extra capabilities, the most important of which is the ability
to think and reason. Why? Because God wanted humans to realise that behind
Creation there is a Creator, to realise that humans have come from the Creator,
and that humans must use their stay on earth to prepare to go back to God. God
thus said, “O man, I have created this beautiful earth for you and packed it
with all the goodies you would want. Enjoy them but do not misuse them. While
enjoying them, share them with the rest of the living beings. Be balanced and
always think carefully before you do anything. This Mind of yours is very
powerful; therefore, use it carefully and for purposes that would make Me
happy. Good luck! Enjoy your stay on earth and get back quick to Me!!”
Unfortunately, in recent times, humans have all but forgotten the
advice that God gave; indeed, most have even forgotten God. Instead, they have
gravitated to the belief that there is no God, that the faculties they possess
are entirely theirs to control and use, and that they have a right to do what
they want. It is this libertarian approach that has led to the concept of
so-called free will.
America, the original settlers made their rights explicit through
the famous Declaration of Rights; and yet, at the same time, slavery was
legitimised and allowed to prevail for nearly a hundred years. Things have
changed a lot since then, and these days, there is plenty of talk about all
sorts of rights – the right of the individual, the right of the Press, the
right of the Media, the right of business, the right of labour, and so on. When
there are many self-interest groups, each with its own agenda, there inevitably
is a clash between the different rights claimed; and underlying this clash is
the belief of many that their rights alone are paramount.
Here is an example. Recently, the Vice Chancellor of a leading
University in Chennai, earlier called Madras, ruled that students should not
bring cell phones to class. Promptly, there was a big hue and cry, students
claiming that they had a right to, and preventing them from bringing cell
phones interfered with their rights. The Media, ever on the lookout for
controversies, immediately fuelled this into a big issue where there was none.
There are many other such manufactured controversies, too delicate to mention.
The point simply is this: Almost invariably, the controversies are born out of
an assertion of rights. Swami says that along with rights come
responsibilities, with rights and responsibilities being two sides of the coin.
In olden times, the stress was more on responsibilities whereas these days the
focus is more on rights.
Let us now come to the question of free will. People who clamour
for rights are essentially saying, “Listen, this is a free society and we have
a right to do what we want to do.” This point needs some comments. First and
foremost, the word free means without any constraints or obstacles. The second
means: no charge. Let us take these slowly.
There are some people who are addicted to smoking, and they would
like to smoke when they want and where they want. This, they believe, is their
right and want no restrictions imposed on them. Just because they believe it is
their right, can they be allowed to do so? For example, can one tolerate
smoking in hospital? Thus it is that Society places some restrictions on the
so-called rights, and this is done for common good. For example, smoking in
public places is now prohibited in most countries and with good reason.
In this context, we must not forget what Swami says. He reminds us
that when the individual focuses too much on his rights, he then tends to
forget about Society. Humans must never forget that they are the building
blocks of Society and what they do affects Society as a whole. The human body
itself provides a powerful example. If individual cells misbehave and multiply
recklessly, then the body has cancer, which ultimately decimates the body.
Thus, says Swami to His students, “You are what you are, because of Society.
The only right you really have is to serve Society. If you take care of
Society, then Society in turn will take care of you.”
Here is an elementary example of this. These days, movies in India
often glorify crime and obscenity. The producers say that they are merely
reflecting what is happening in Society. However, thanks to excessive portrayal
of violence and all the rest of it, now the movie stars are forced to have
security to move about, and have to shell out a lot of money for it. There are
innumerable such negative fallouts, but we need not go into it.
The above remark brings us to our second point, which is that
though individuals and groups may claim that they are free to do this and that,
nothing is free in the sense there is always a price to pay. Sometimes the
individual directly pays and at other times, the payment is extracted via
decline in Society. In short, there is no free lunch, and in that sense, what
is done under the pretext of free will is not at all an expression of freedom.
What then is true freedom? Swami has explained that also. He says
he who is totally free from the clutches of sensuality and base desires is
alone a free person. Yes, freedom means being free from the claims of the body
and the lower Mind. One may live in body and possess a mind. But he who is
ruled by the Atma is alone free.
During the Indian freedom struggle, the word Swarajya was often
used to refer to political independence. Swami has explained that the word
Swarajya which means Rule of the Self, actually means Rule of the Atma. In that
sense, God alone has Free Will. He can do what He wants and there is no price
tag in terms of consequences. Humans, however, do not have free will, as long
as they are body-conscious. That is because whatever is done under the
influence of body-consciousness has consequences that one cannot escape. It is
only when one feels one with the Atma that one can talk of free will. And when
one achieves emotional and spiritual union with the Atma, one no longer
clamours about free will.
Do you agree? May be not! Even so, we would like to know what you
think. As always, write to
Jai Sai Ram
.
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