Determinism or Free Will

 Determinism or Free Will

I don’t have a definitive answer, but there are thought processes that can help us reflect more deeply on this question. You may find some satisfaction in contemplating them.

The Question of Origins

Did consciousness create the universe, or did the universe give rise to consciousness?

If consciousness evolved from matter, then we must first examine the material world. Consider the planets, stars, and galaxies—vast structures bound by the laws of physics such as gravity, motion, and thermodynamics. They obey fixed, predictable principles with no sign of independent will. How, then, could consciousness—something fluid, adaptive, and self-aware—emerge from such constrained systems?

A fundamental principle holds that the property of a part cannot surpass that of the whole. Even the most sophisticated supercomputers, born from human minds, cannot create a genuine, human-like personality. Thus, if matter is so tightly bound by law, how can it produce something as dynamic and seemingly autonomous as consciousness?

Now, consider the reverse: what if the universe originated from consciousness? In that case, we still find the same stars and galaxies—ordered, fixed in their appearance, and not overtly sentient. So even if consciousness was the source, its material manifestation remains rigid and law-bound.

Degrees of Consciousness and the Illusion of Freedom

Suppose humans are superior to inert matter, embodying a consciousness that is at least partly independent. Even so, we are imperfect. Across species and even within humanity, levels of consciousness vary dramatically. With this, freedom varies too. Every being has its limits, and human freedom—though greater than that of animals—is still fundamentally bound.

We live within the framework of physical laws. Our very existence depends on countless cosmic conditions being perfectly met. In such a system, can we honestly claim absolute freedom?

Freedom is always contextual. It is like a child on a playground: the child is free, but only within the benevolent boundaries set by the mother. A good mother doesn't grant freedom that could lead to harm. Similarly, we are given relative freedom, but within firm boundaries—biological, environmental, and karmic.

Even in daily life, freedom is limited by situations. You may move freely inside a bus or train, but the vehicle’s predetermined path constrains you. You can walk along a road, perhaps even work to expand it slightly, but only within the constraints of terrain, property, and effort.

What determines our scope for expansion? Mental development. Our social and psychological capabilities differ, even if our outer forms are similar.

Ultimately, true freedom lies in aligning one’s individual will with the Supreme Will. As a child grows to understand the mother’s intention, true harmony arises when our intellect and inner nature (subconscious) are in sync. Only then do we move in the right direction, effortlessly.

The Universe as One Interconnected Being

Vedic astrology, when rightly understood, reveals this fundamental unity. It decodes the signals from the stars and planets—signals that echo within our own subconscious minds. The entire cosmos is a single, interconnected organism. There are no true separations—events in one part of the system ripple across the whole.

Astrology can read these ripples, but cannot change them. It is a tool that reflects destiny; it does not shape it.

Beyond Time, Beyond Identity

If a Supreme Consciousness is absolute and omnipotent, why would it need to create anything at all?

From the Advaita (non-dual) Vedantic standpoint, there is no "creation." There is only an appearance. The universe unfolds, but it was never truly created in time because time itself is an illusion. The past and future are mental constructs; only the eternal present truly exists. The universe is not "locally real"—meaning that objects and events do not have definite properties independent of observation.

In this framework, there is no separate self and no fixed destination. Even liberation—Moksha, Nirvana—is just a concept for the seeker. As the Zen saying goes, it is like searching for the glasses that are already on your eyes. Sooner or later, you will realize they were never lost.

Therefore, individual free will is also, ultimately, an illusion. We feel we choose, but deeper self-awareness reveals that our actions are part of a much larger, unfolding pattern.

Insights from a Meditative Mind

With continuous Vipassana meditation or deep self-observation, one can discover an astonishing truth: action arises before mental justification. The brain, with an infinitesimally fine delay, creates a narrative for events just after they have already been initiated. This direct insight fundamentally challenges our everyday sense of being in control.

Beyond Our Four Dimensions

We are conditioned to think in four dimensions—length, width, height, and time. But the universe may be far more complex. Inconsistencies between classical and quantum physics, as well as unexplained phenomena like ghosts, hint at the possibility of multi-dimensionality. In such a vast framework, many of our questions, especially those posed at the absolute level, become invalid, like asking "What is north of the North Pole?"

In the end, perhaps the most important realization is not whether consciousness or matter came first, but that both arise within a larger mystery—one that cannot be grasped with thought alone, but may be experienced through insight, silence, and surrender.

-------------------------------------------------------------------Raghvendra Khare