Freewill can be defined as the power or ability to make one’s own decisions about life, rather than being under the control of any external influence. This concept raises a fundamental question: do we genuinely possess freewill, or is everything preordained by destiny, with only divine will operating in our lives?
When we identify ourselves as limited beings—defined by a specific name, form, mind, and ego—we naturally believe that the choices we make are the result of our own freewill. Each decision, whether large or small, is seen as an exercise of this autonomy. The outcomes that arise are considered a direct result of these choices, with no room for destiny or external factors influencing the results. Consequently, it is essential to accept the consequences of our actions, whether they bring pleasure or pain, without attributing anything to a higher power or the divine. In this view, our actions generate karma, and we are bound to experience the corresponding results
In contrast, if one perceives oneself as existing beyond the confines of the body-mind complex, the approach to action and outcomes shifts dramatically. Such an individual does not resist whatever unfolds in any given moment. Instead, they respond to each situation appropriately, yet remain unattached to desires or expectations regarding specific outcomes. Actions performed in this spirit of complete surrender are considered to be driven by divine will, as there is neither ownership of decisions with a particular objective in mind, nor resistance to whatever result ensues, whether pleasant or unpleasant. Since these actions are carried out selflessly, without attachment or desire, they do not contribute to one’s karma.
