Is faith a choice?

[LuisDantas]

From the paradigm that proofs for the truth exist. It's the attitude we take towards it and other factors I described in the OP, that will lead us to see the proofs or not.

It did.

Which is why I am an atheist.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

I'm saying the bias of whether want the next world or want this life to be the only life, plays a role. If don't want God to exist or we want him to be real, all plays a role if we find faith or not. So faith is not just on and off switch. A bunch of things factor in.

Sounds like you are trying to argue for wishful thinking.

 

[JustGeorge]

Many experiences we do choose
Today I experience "binge-eating"
Or drink lots of whiskey etc

Tomorrow (or in 10 years)
I experience "get sick"
Again, we choose that too
By choosing "binge-eating"

Sometimes I'm not sure how much choice is involved in that. We're all wired a certain way, and sometimes a challenge may have us fail.

Doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

I'm not convinced we have free will, though. I'm not saying we do, and I'm not saying we don't, just that I'm not convinced.

 

[stvdv]

Sometimes I'm not sure how much choice is involved in that. We're all wired a certain way, and sometimes a challenge may have us fail.

Doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

I'm not convinced we have free will, though. I'm not saying we do, and I'm not saying we don't, just that I'm not convinced.

IF you are interested I could give you a quote from the Yoga Vashista making this quite clear
(Yoga Vashista is a major Hindu Scripture, a must read for Indian students and my favorite, especially as it boosts our Self Confidence and Self Respect)

 

[JustGeorge]

IF you are interested I could give you a quote from the Yoga Vashista making this quite clear
(Yoga Vashista is a major Hindu Scripture, a must read for Indian students and my favorite, especially as it boosts our Self Confidence and Self Respect)

Sure, please do.

 

[stvdv]

IF you are interested I could give you a quote from the Yoga Vashista making this quite clear

Sure, please do.

Okay, here it comes from the Yoga Vasistha (all about "fate or choice"). please let me know if you liked it or not. So that I know if people are interested in Hindu Advaita Wisdom (if interested I could share the download link to a free pdf-copy of this Yoga Vasistha)

(Intro+warning: this is the Wisdom on "Self-effort" that the Guru (Teacher) of Rama imparts to Rama, who is a Divine Incarnation, hence an exemplary student, eager to hear the Truth, ready to forsake everything. The Teacher is straightforward, not sparing the "ego-feelings" of His Student, who is verily God Himself. Hence be warned, this could be a (too big) blow to one's feeble ego; I appreciate these types of blows, but I am aware that not everyone does. But it answers all the doubts you had)

Selfeffort
VASISTHA* continued:
II:4, 5

O Rama*, even as, whether there are waves or no waves, water remains water, even so whatever be the external appearance of the liberated sage, his wisdom remains unchanged. The difference is only in the eyes of the ignorant spectator.

Therefore, O Rama*, listen to what I am about to say; this instruction is sure to remove the darkness of ignorance.

In this world whatever is gained is gained only by selfeffort; where failure is encountered it is seen that there has been slackness in the effort. This is obvious; but what is called fate is fictitious and is not seen.

Selfeffort, Rama*, is that mental, verbal and physical action which is in accordance with the instructions of a holy person well versed in the scriptures. It is only by such effort that Indra became king of heaven, that Brahma* became the creator, and the other deities earned their place.

Selfeffort is of two categories: that of past births and that of this birth. The latter effectively counteracts the former. Fate is none other than selfeffort of a past incarnation. There is constant conflict between these two in this incarnation; and that which is more powerful triumphs.

Selfeffort which is not in accord with the scriptures is motivated by delusion. When there is obstruction in the fruition of selfeffort one should examine it to see if there is such deluded action, and if there is it should be immediately corrected. There is no power greater than right action in the present. Hence, one should take recourse to selfeffort, grinding one's teeth, and one should overcome evil by good and fate by present effort.

The lazy man is worse than a donkey. One should never yield to laziness but strive to attain liberation, seeing that life is ebbing away every moment. One should not revel in the filth known as sensepleasures as a worm revels in pus.

One who says "Fate is directing me to do this" is brainless, and the goddess of fortune abandons him. Hence, by selfeffort acquire wisdom and then realise that this selfeffort is not without its own end, in the direct realisation of the truth.

If this dreadful source of evil named laziness is not found on earth, who will ever be illiterate and poor? It is because laziness is found on earth that people live the life of animals, miserable and povertystricken.

VALMIKI * said: At this stage, it was time for evening prayers and the assembly

 

[JustGeorge]

Okay, here it comes from the Yoga Vasistha (all about "fate or choice"). please let me know if you liked it or not. So that I know if people are interested in Hindu Advaita Wisdom (if interested I could share the download link to a free pdf-copy of this Yoga Vasistha)

(Intro+warning: this is the Wisdom on "Self-effort" that the Guru (Teacher) of Rama imparts to Rama, who is a Divine Incarnation, hence an exemplary student, eager to hear the Truth, ready to forsake everything. The Teacher is straightforward, not sparing the "ego-feelings" of His Student, who is verily God Himself. Hence be warned, this could be a (too big) blow to one's feeble ego; I appreciate these types of blows, but I am aware that not everyone does. But it answers all the doubts you had)

Selfeffort
VASISTHA* continued:
II:4, 5

O Rama*, even as, whether there are waves or no waves, water remains water, even so whatever be the external appearance of the liberated sage, his wisdom remains unchanged. The difference is only in the eyes of the ignorant spectator.

Therefore, O Rama*, listen to what I am about to say; this instruction is sure to remove the darkness of ignorance.

In this world whatever is gained is gained only by selfeffort; where failure is encountered it is seen that there has been slackness in the effort. This is obvious; but what is called fate is fictitious and is not seen.

Selfeffort, Rama*, is that mental, verbal and physical action which is in accordance with the instructions of a holy person well versed in the scriptures. It is only by such effort that Indra became king of heaven, that Brahma* became the creator, and the other deities earned their place.

Selfeffort is of two categories: that of past births and that of this birth. The latter effectively counteracts the former. Fate is none other than selfeffort of a past incarnation. There is constant conflict between these two in this incarnation; and that which is more powerful triumphs.

Selfeffort which is not in accord with the scriptures is motivated by delusion. When there is obstruction in the fruition of selfeffort one should examine it to see if there is such deluded action, and if there is it should be immediately corrected. There is no power greater than right action in the present. Hence, one should take recourse to selfeffort, grinding one's teeth, and one should overcome evil by good and fate by present effort.

The lazy man is worse than a donkey. One should never yield to laziness but strive to attain liberation, seeing that life is ebbing away every moment. One should not revel in the filth known as sensepleasures as a worm revels in pus.

One who says "Fate is directing me to do this" is brainless, and the goddess of fortune abandons him. Hence, by selfeffort acquire wisdom and then realise that this selfeffort is not without its own end, in the direct realisation of the truth.

If this dreadful source of evil named laziness is not found on earth, who will ever be illiterate and poor? It is because laziness is found on earth that people live the life of animals, miserable and povertystricken.

VALMIKI * said: At this stage, it was time for evening prayers and the assembly

THanks, I'll think on this.