Free Will and Destiny

[SeRe]

I've been reading about free will and destiny a lot these days.

According to Ramana Maharshi, everything is predetermined and there is no free will. Even small acts like drinking a glass of water and going to the other room are predetermined.

He confirms in several places that there is no free will, and the only way to conquer destiny is to surrender to God. He goes on to say that if one surrender's to God, God will bear his burden and can undo his destiny.

Please refer to this link: Ramana Maharshi on Free Will and Destiny

My question is, how does one surrender? What is partial surrender and total surrender?

 

[Vinayaka]

Sri Ramana is speaking from a deep state. From that deep state, there is no free will. Ordinary souls, not at that deep level, can't see it that way, and 'out here' there is free will, albeit part of the illusion.

Not understanding from where he spoke has lead to neo-Advaitha, amongst other misconceptions. All I can say is tread carefully.

 

[ajay0]

I've been reading about free will and destiny a lot these days.

According to Ramana Maharshi, everything is predetermined and there is no free will. Even small acts like drinking a glass of water and going to the other room are predetermined.

He confirms in several places that there is no free will, and the only way to conquer destiny is to surrender to God. He goes on to say that if one surrender's to God, God will bear his burden and can undo his destiny.

Please refer to this link: Ramana Maharshi on Free Will and Destiny

My question is, how does one surrender? What is partial surrender and total surrender?

Surrender means to be anchored in the Self, and do one's duties established in this state.

As long as one is under the influence of karma, there is only compulsive actions. Habits and addictions especially are very strong past karma, and one acts under their influence like a slave inspite of one's best intentions. There is no free will in all this.

By being conscious and aware, one can transcend karma, and script one's own path forward. Awareness, virtuous conduct and deep love eliminates karma, and one ceases to be an automaton or robot under the influence of unconscious tendencies of the past.

 

[SeRe]

Sri Ramana is speaking from a deep state. From that deep state, there is no free will. Ordinary souls, not at that deep level, can't see it that way, and 'out here' there is free will, albeit part of the illusion.

Not understanding from where he spoke has lead to neo-Advaitha, amongst other misconceptions. All I can say is tread carefully.

Thanks for you response, I will keep this in mind.

 

[SeRe]

Surrender means to be anchored in the Self, and do one's duties established in this state.

As long as one is under the influence of karma, there is only compulsive actions. Habits and addictions especially are very strong past karma, and one acts under their influence like a slave inspite of one's best intentions. There is no free will in all this.

By being conscious and aware, one can transcend karma, and script one's own path forward. Awareness, virtuous conduct and deep love eliminates karma, and one ceases to be an automaton or robot under the influence of unconscious tendencies of the past.

Thank you, this is clear.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Well, Sri Ramanujacharya is very clear about it. You will need to forget all your desires, wants, sorrows, pleasures; and gladly accept what God gives you. That is known as 'prapatti' (total surrender to God). Krishna also says:

"yaḥ sarvatra anabhisnehah, tat tat prāpya śubha aśubham; na abhinandati na dveṣṭi, tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā." BG 2.57

"One who is all the time, everywhere, unaffected by whatever good or evil he may obtain, neither praising it nor despising it, is firmly fixed in perfect knowledge."