Is life determined, or do we have free will?

There is an essence that exists everywhere, and yet at times can be hard to obtain. However, this essence is available to everyone. It can be as hard and unrelenting as rock, and yet agile and yielding. It is both loved and despised. We call it free will. Next to a healthy, happy life, free will is the most precious treasure of all. We have all been given free will, yet few souls understand it or know how it works. Through will and will alone, humans have overcome tremendous odds. It gives us the capacity to endure sorrows and suffering. It is the power to consciously choose and control the force of our energy towards a particular desire. To will is to have faith in the ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. It is akin to tenacity—the ability to hold on with deep determination. It is based on an unshakable faith that allows anyone who understands it the ability to attain whatever they desire. Karma is often seen as a form of determinism, as it suggests that our actions have consequences. However, it is also associated with free will, reminding individuals that we all make choices that can lead to either negative or positive outcomes. While karma can be seen as a moral and ethical accounting system or the cosmic law of justice, it leaves room for the individual to respond freely to their circumstances. It reminds us that we are only limited by the boundaries we choose. At every moment of your life, you will be presented with choices that allow you to freely choose how you define and redefine your life. Karma yoga teaches us that there are no right or wrong choices, only consequences, and therefore we have the ability to freely choose what we think, say, and do. Life becomes what life does. Let’s get started END: Free will is the unrelenting ability to direct your life towards a desired end. We can use it to change every level of our reality. We are only limited by the boundaries we choose. Every moment we are presented with choices that allow us to define and redefine who and what we choose to be. We call this thinking. Karma yoga teaches us that there are no right or wrong thoughts, words, or actions, only consequences, and that we have the free will to choose our thoughts, words, and actions. When choosing, remember - Life becomes what life does. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend out the index finger – the ego – when we desire a certain outcome, or have an expectation, and things don’t turn out as we planned, the ego can become exhausted or sidetracked and cause us to feel upset and discouraged. We believe that if we do this, this will happen without considering all the possibilities involved in any given occurrence. How we react to circumstances is how we implement our free will Pull your finger in and place your thumb on top- take a breath and surrender to your soul. Remember, as you think, you become. You have the power of self-control. Pay attention to what you let occupy your mind because what occupies your mind occupies you. The greatest use of free will is to consciously choose to bring health, happiness, and peace to the world. This leads to liberation. Liberation means accepting life as it is - it means becoming the observer of life, free of disturbance and judgment. Liberation is the ability to accept life's ever-changing aspects without losing our balance, strength, flexibility, and peace. We all have the freedom to choose how we live our lives – so pay attention to what you let occupy your mind because what occupies your mind occupies you. Namaste ~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. Doctor Lynn