Free Will

Free Will

How far a man is a free agent of his actions must be intelligently understood in the light of Vedanta. Then only can one get a satisfactory answer and solution. In the West, various competent men have discussed this matter from various standpoints. They have not yet come to any definite conclusions. They have taken the present only into consideration. This is a sad mistake. The present is only a fragment of infinity. If the infinite past and infinite future are also taken into consideration, they will surely arrive at a definite conclusion that will bring peace and solace to the restless mind. Just as the man who has seen one side of the shield only fights with another man who has seen the other side of the shield only, so also people who know partial truths only fight amongst themselves and engage in useless controversies and debates. Just as the man who has seen the two sides of the shield can easily settle the dispute of two persons who have seen one side of the shield only, so also a Vedantin alone, who has full knowledge of the whole truth can settle the dispute of those people who are trying to find out whether and how far man is a free agent of his actions.

Determinists say that the will of a man is as much bound by the law of causation as the rest of the phenomena of the universe. Ethics will fall down to pieces if there is no freedom for a man. There cannot be surely any moral responsibility where there is no freedom. How could a man he made to account for his action, unless he is a free agent of his deeds? How could reward or punishment be meted out with justice to a man if he has done an action out of compulsion, but not out of free choice? Man will be like an automaton or block of wood, his hands and feet being chained down tightly.

The consciousness of the Self makes a man feel that he is ever free. This idea of freedom is ingrained in the mind of every man. It is hidden in the consciousness of the Self. Though he has nothing to eat, though he is in very adverse circumstances, there is a peculiar instinct in man that prompts him to think that he is always free. Because the Nitya-Mukta (ever free) Atman is at the back of his mind, sentiments and feelings, he feels that he is free. He knows that he is bound and that he is encased in this tabernacle of flesh. He is fully aware that he is a slave of Maya and Avidya: and yet something inside tells him that he is free at the same time. He has this double feeling because in essence he is the all-pervading mass of wisdom (Vijnanaghana Atman). He gets these flashes or glimpses of freedom even while he labours under straitened circumstances. There are encouragements for the struggling soul that come from within. He is in a dying condition. Doctors have pronounced the case as absolutely hopeless. Yet there is a shrill inner voice from within that says: ‘I am immortal, I am free.’ He cherishes an inherent feeling: ‘I am free though I appear to be apparently bound. This bondage is illusory.’

Let me repeat here the words of Lord Krishna in the Gita, that bespeak of the freedom of man in doing Karma:

Uddharet Atmana Atmanam Natmanam Avasadayet
Atmaiva Hyatmano Bandhuratmaiva Ripuratmanah.

“Let a man raise himself by himself, let him not lower himself; for he alone is the friend of himself, he alone is the enemy of himself.” Ch. VI-5.

Bandhuratmatmanastasya Yenatmaivaatmana Jitah
Anatmanastu Satrutve Vartetatmaiva Satruvat.

“To him who has conquered himself by himself, his own self is the friend of himself, but to him who has not (conquered) himself, his own self stands in the place of an enemy like the (external) foe.” Ch. VI-6.

The Upanishads also echo the same idea:

Uthisthita Jagrata Prapya Varan Nibodhata.

“Awake, arise, and, having approached a learned teacher, learn.” (Katha Upanishad).

In conclusion I wish to point out once more that man is a free agent. He is Svatantra or independent in doing actions. Whatever his present condition may be, he can have a glorious future through right exertion and right thinking. Many have achieved success and greatness, many have reached the goal of life through right exertion. This holds good for all. Man is ever free. May freedom be the goal of thy life! May all of us exert in the right direction to achieve freedom, the birthright of man! May that supreme Being, the Antaryamin, guide us in all our actions!

Free Will – Choice, Responsibility, and Inner Freedom

Free Will is the power of a human being to choose, decide, and act with awareness. It is the ability to think before acting, to select one path over another, and to shape life through effort, discipline, and understanding. Human beings are not like machines that move only by fixed programming. They have conscience, intelligence, self-reflection, and the capacity to improve. This power makes moral and spiritual growth possible.

Life is influenced by many factors. Family background, society, education, past habits, health, environment, and circumstances all affect a person’s choices. Still, these influences do not completely remove human responsibility. A person may be born in difficult conditions, but they can still develop courage, knowledge, patience, and discipline. They may carry old weaknesses, but they can slowly correct them through sincere effort.

Free Will does not mean complete control over everything. No person can control all events, other people, time, nature, or final results. A student may study sincerely, but the result may depend on many conditions. A worker may work honestly, but success may take time. A person may try to help others, but others may not respond as expected. Therefore, human freedom exists within limits, but even limited freedom has great value.

The real use of choice is seen in response. We may not choose every situation, but we can choose how to respond to it. If someone insults us, we can react with anger or remain calm. If failure comes, we can become hopeless or learn from it. If desire arises, we can follow it blindly or examine it with wisdom. This power of response is one of the clearest signs of inner freedom.

Free Will also gives meaning to morality. If human beings had no choice at all, then right and wrong would lose practical meaning. Praise, blame, responsibility, discipline, and repentance would become meaningless. But conscience tells us that we can choose truth over falsehood, kindness over cruelty, effort over laziness, and self-control over blind desire. This inner knowledge proves that choice is an important part of human life.

However, freedom must be guided by wisdom. A person may have the ability to choose, but not every choice leads to happiness. Choosing pleasure without discipline may bring suffering. Choosing anger may damage relationships. Choosing dishonesty may create fear and guilt. Real freedom is not doing anything the mind wants; real freedom is the ability to choose what is right, pure, and beneficial.

Free Will should not become ego. Some people think, “Everything depends only on me.” This creates pride when they succeed and depression when they fail. A wise person understands that effort is necessary, but results depend on many seen and unseen causes. They act sincerely, but they remain humble. They work hard, but they do not become arrogant. This balance protects the mind from both pride and despair.

The power of choice is strengthened through discipline. A weak mind says yes to every desire, every fear, and every temptation. A strong mind can pause, think, and choose wisely. Discipline in food, speech, sleep, study, work, and emotions makes the will stronger. Every time a person chooses duty over laziness or truth over convenience, their inner power grows.

Habits also influence choice. Repeated actions create tendencies, and tendencies make future actions easier or harder. If a person repeatedly chooses anger, anger becomes natural. If they repeatedly choose patience, patience becomes stronger. This shows that freedom can be trained. The more a person practices noble choices, the more natural goodness becomes.

Free Will becomes especially important in spiritual life. A seeker must choose between ignorance and knowledge, selfishness and service, attachment and detachment, restlessness and meditation. No one can force another person to become pure from within. Guidance may come from teachers, scriptures, and good company, but the final effort must be made by the individual. Inner transformation requires personal willingness.

At the same time, past actions and tendencies may create limitations. A person may feel pulled by old desires, fears, anger, or unhealthy habits. This does not mean they are helpless. It means they must work with patience. Through prayer, meditation, self-study, selfless service, and good company, old patterns can be weakened. Gradual change is still real change.

A practical way to use choice wisely is to pause before action. Before speaking, ask whether the words are truthful and kind. Before following a desire, ask whether it will bring peace or bondage. Before making a decision, ask whether it agrees with conscience. Such small pauses prevent many mistakes and make life more conscious.

In the end, Free Will is a sacred gift and a serious responsibility. It gives human beings the power to rise above weakness, correct mistakes, build character, and move toward higher truth. We may not control everything in life, but we can control our intention, effort, attitude, and response. When choice is guided by wisdom, discipline, and conscience, it becomes a path to inner freedom and spiritual growth.

Mind – Studies in its structure