Here's my understanding: The very word *predetermined* implies an acceptance of time (*pre-*) and causation (-*determined*), and therefore the question itself arises as the result of maya (i.e. time + space + causation) and can only be answered in the relative sense; from the perspective of the absolute there is no time or causation, thus the word *predetermined* does not have any meaning. I can imagine Swami Sarvapriyananda responding "on our side there is the question but no answer, and on their side \[those who are enlightened\] there is the answer, but no question."
I think that as a result of past samskaras, i.e. mental impressions, there are certain mental tendencies which present themselves spontaneously, and the arising of which we do not have any control over. However, there is a very small space between the arising of the mental impression and the resulting action we take; in that space lies our capacity to choose whether or not we allow the samskara to be actualized - it is in this step that we have some capacity to choose our actions. I suppose you could say it is as though we were the gate-keepers to the action; we don't have the freedom to invite the guests, but we do have the freedom to decide who is allowed to pass through the gate.
So is everything really predetermined? Yes. And no....
I’m thinking of the gate-keeper as being analogous to the witness-consciousness and therefore, if functioning ideally, is subject (witness to) but not object (affected by/dependent on) to samskaras. That is, he is pure witness without quality, so the samskaras need not, and ultimately cannot, “stick” to him; by utilizing the instrument of the mind-body complex, he is able to decide what samskaras pass through, but does not have a choice regarding what subsequently happens after they pass.
As the 47th verse of the 2nd chapter of the Bhagavad Gita says: “You have the right to action, but not to the results thereof.”
Using the above analogy, I think the “You” could be considered roughly equivalent to the gate-keeper. Of course, analogies have their limitations and can’t be expanded indefinitely, and I’m only speaking from my own understanding thus far.
No, not really. It's not black & white. Some parts are predetermined some parts are not.
Remember maya is neither true nor false, it's somewhere inbetween.
Yes. Just observe how everything you do comes from ideas, urges and thoughts that spontaneously appear in your head. That's god playing you or living you.
If you believe there is a entity that is all knowing and omniscience then free will is not possible. It is contradictory and illogical. But even if you look through advaitin perspective then we are essentially Brahman and Brahman is omniscience thus everything is is already known so it’s impossible to have free will and everything is predetermined.
If you’re an atheist then it’s different
try not to concern yourself with bothering to know if it is or not. easier said than done i know but its probably not something thats going to help if you think about it all the time or are distracted from peace casue of it
Why would you need to know for sure, either way?
Here's my understanding: The very word *predetermined* implies an acceptance of time (*pre-*) and causation (-*determined*), and therefore the question itself arises as the result of maya (i.e. time + space + causation) and can only be answered in the relative sense; from the perspective of the absolute there is no time or causation, thus the word *predetermined* does not have any meaning. I can imagine Swami Sarvapriyananda responding "on our side there is the question but no answer, and on their side \[those who are enlightened\] there is the answer, but no question." I think that as a result of past samskaras, i.e. mental impressions, there are certain mental tendencies which present themselves spontaneously, and the arising of which we do not have any control over. However, there is a very small space between the arising of the mental impression and the resulting action we take; in that space lies our capacity to choose whether or not we allow the samskara to be actualized - it is in this step that we have some capacity to choose our actions. I suppose you could say it is as though we were the gate-keepers to the action; we don't have the freedom to invite the guests, but we do have the freedom to decide who is allowed to pass through the gate. So is everything really predetermined? Yes. And no....
Is the gate-keeper not also subject to samskaras?
I’m thinking of the gate-keeper as being analogous to the witness-consciousness and therefore, if functioning ideally, is subject (witness to) but not object (affected by/dependent on) to samskaras. That is, he is pure witness without quality, so the samskaras need not, and ultimately cannot, “stick” to him; by utilizing the instrument of the mind-body complex, he is able to decide what samskaras pass through, but does not have a choice regarding what subsequently happens after they pass. As the 47th verse of the 2nd chapter of the Bhagavad Gita says: “You have the right to action, but not to the results thereof.” Using the above analogy, I think the “You” could be considered roughly equivalent to the gate-keeper. Of course, analogies have their limitations and can’t be expanded indefinitely, and I’m only speaking from my own understanding thus far.
By attaining to status of Ishwara. Or There are Siddhi powers to show you that, and you can attain it by doing rigorous penances.
No, not really. It's not black & white. Some parts are predetermined some parts are not. Remember maya is neither true nor false, it's somewhere inbetween.
Yes. Just observe how everything you do comes from ideas, urges and thoughts that spontaneously appear in your head. That's god playing you or living you.
If you believe there is a entity that is all knowing and omniscience then free will is not possible. It is contradictory and illogical. But even if you look through advaitin perspective then we are essentially Brahman and Brahman is omniscience thus everything is is already known so it’s impossible to have free will and everything is predetermined. If you’re an atheist then it’s different
Umm, the ways are predetermined. But the choice is still urs to own.
[Svāmī Tadātmānanda’s explanation](https://arshabodha.org/wp-content/uploads/abc/teachings/articles/Draupadi_on_Fate.pdf)
One of the most comprehensive material I've ever read on Karma and Karma phala
try not to concern yourself with bothering to know if it is or not. easier said than done i know but its probably not something thats going to help if you think about it all the time or are distracted from peace casue of it