Free will and destiny

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*OASIS* * Free will and destiny *

By Ramnath Narayanswamy

* What is the role of free will and destiny? How much of life is a result

of free will and how much of it is destiny? Such questions plague seekers

embarking on the spiritual path. *

 

Are we free as individuals? What is the role of free will and destiny? How

much of life is a result of free will and how much of it is destiny? Such

questions plague seekers embarking on the spiritual path.

 

The answer is simple yet complex. All great truths are in reality simple.

They stem from their ability to weave through complexity and present wisdom

in its pristine form. Mata Amritanandamayi was once asked this question. She

responded with characteristic brilliance and clarity by recounting a less

known story about Narada.

 

It is well known that the Sage Narada's devotion to Lord Vishnu was

exemplary. On his way to Vaikunta, he happened to pass through a village

where a family pleaded with him to request Lord Vishnu to grant them a

child.

 

On reaching Vaikunta, the Sage promptly pleaded the family's case but the

Lord was uncharacteristically adamant. He said he could not help the family,

as a child was not in their Karma!

 

Several years later, the Sage was again on his way to Vaikunta. He passed

through the same village and visited the family. He was surprised to

discover the family blessed with not one but several children! He rushed to

Vaikunta and began chastising Lord Vishnu for not heeding his initial plea

and then later blessing the family with children.

 

This time Lord Vishnu smilingly replied: " O you mean that! I had nothing to

do with it! They must have met a Mahatma! "

 

Such is the extraordinary power of a jnani (enlightened one). This is why

living in the presence of a Enlightened Master, it is said, can considerably

reduce the negative effects of past actions.

 

On another occasion, Amma once said that Karna in the Mahabharata symbolises

destiny, while Arjuna symbolised free will. This is because Arjuna exercised

his freedom with discrimination. He embraced grace by choosing his Guru,

while Karna deserted grace by embracing Duryodhana.

 

The enigmatic nature of free will lies in the fact that it does not exist!

The only freedom given to human beings lies in embracing the divinity

within.

 

Actions that emerge by ignoring this truth are destiny. Such is the nature

of divine grace! There is nothing that grace cannot accomplish! Conversely,

there can be no spiritual quest without grace! Finally, the very desire for

self-awakening is but an expression of grace! The effort of the seeker is

its manifestation.

 

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--

Be Love,

Nischala

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

" Are you sure, sweetheart, that you want to be well? " from The Salt Eaters

by Toni Cade Bambara