FATE & FREE WILL PARADOX
We have already written to you about the mechanism of action. We are free to take any action within our capacity. But its effects will be regulated not in isolation, but after taking into account other factors that may be independently influencing the outcome. We have no control over such factors. This induces an uncertainty in the result. Hence “karmanyevaadhikaaraste maa phaleshu kadaachana”. We have discussed the scientific aspect of it in a paper on reality. We are enclosing a copy of that. But once some action has taken place, its result is fixed. We cannot undo it, as we live only in ever shifting present. Both past and future are non-existent in a formal sense of perception. We can think of past that is no longer as it was when we experienced it. Once an action is performed, it creates a relationship between the performer and the performed. They are entangled. Yet, the situation may not be conducive for us to experience the fruit of such action immediately. In that case, it gets accumulated. The dominant features of these accumulated results of our actions determine our future or next birth. Since each life form puts some restrictions on us, it leads to a new cycle. Hence results of our past actions, which determine how we evolve in our present life; is called “प्रारब्ध”. The balance of the results of our past actions from the previous birth is called “सञ्चित”. The results of both these, including the results of our past actions in the present birth are already determined – hence we do not have any control over it. This is fate – bhaagya or niyati, which is generally deterministic. The present and future actions are under our control. This is called “क्रियमाण कर्म” that has the potential to change our fate. This is our free will. There is no paradox.
PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE ILLUSIONS
Time is the interval between events. As we have already explained, it arises out of the confinement of “चित् शक्ति” due to evolutionary cycles – “षड्भाव विकाराः”. A cycle is not one action, but a chain of innumerable actions following each other that produce effects sometimes contrary to the earlier effects. All these actions are related only in time. What we perceive is present. What we do not perceive, but remember as memory, is past. What we do not perceive and do not have the memory; is future. Perception is measurement of sensory stimuli by comparing with a data base. The absolute data base is the “चित् शक्ति”. But due to the degree of “vidyaa” or “avidyaa”, we perceive it differently. Maandukya Upanishad and Prashna Upanishad describe it fully. In the wakeful state (or the macro systems), it acts based on external stimuli. In dreams (also in micro or quantum systems), it is cut off from external stimuli, but acts based on its internal stimuli. Here the restrictions imposed by external objects vanish. Hence we may see combinations that are impossible in the wakeful state. But it is based on the memory of the wakeful state. In the deep sleep, even this restriction is removed. Intellect acts in a flash, but mind acts the same in all states of past, present and future. Hence, sometimes, we have the illusion of the future. Depending upon the degree of “vidyaa” or “avidyaa”, it leads to vision or illusion. If our instincts are functioning effectively, it may also be vision – otherwise hallucination. Lots of people misuse it. Regarding time travel and other related issues, please read our paper on reality.