If everything is the Will of God, what about free will? | Paramahamsa Vishwananda

Summary

The video script explores the concept of free will in the context of divine will, suggesting that individuals possess the choice to perceive life positively or negatively. It emphasizes that while everything is part of God's will, people have the freedom to choose their perspective. The speaker highlights the difference between those who surrender to God's will and see life's events as divine, and those who prioritize worldly concerns, often finding fault even in good situations. The message encourages embracing devotion and the possibility of fulfilling one's spiritual journey in a single lifetime.

Takeaways

• 🧘‍♂️ The concept of free will is questioned, suggesting that all events are part of God's will.
• 💭 Thoughts, whether negative or positive, arise without our direct control.
• 🔄 Krishna's teaching is referenced, emphasizing that good and bad are equally present in every situation.
• 👀 The choice to perceive situations as good or bad is in our hands, reflecting our mindset.
• 😊 There are individuals who maintain a positive outlook in all circumstances, which is a choice.
• 🌱 Being in tune with God's will leads to guidance and acceptance of life's situations.
• 😞 Conversely, those out of tune with God's will may find fault even in good situations.
• 🌐 The world or God can be prioritized, and this prioritization is a personal choice.
• 🤔 People vary in their responses to good fortune, with some always expecting the worst.
• 🙏 Surrendering to God's will is presented as a path to seeing everything as part of a divine plan.
• 🔚 The possibility of ending the cycle of rebirth in a single life through devotion is highlighted.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the discussion in the transcript?

The main theme of the discussion is the concept of free will in relation to the will of God and how individuals perceive and react to life's situations based on their beliefs and attitudes.

What does the speaker suggest about the nature of thoughts, whether they are chosen or arise spontaneously?

The speaker suggests that thoughts, both negative and positive, arise spontaneously and are not chosen by the individual.

How does the speaker describe the perspective of people who always see the good in every situation?

The speaker describes these people as being in tune with God's will, choosing to see the good in every situation, and maintaining a positive attitude towards life.

What does the speaker say about the ability to see both good and bad in every situation?

The speaker refers to Krishna's words, stating that in every good there is equally bad, and in every bad there is equally good, implying that the perception of good or bad is a choice one makes.

What is the speaker's view on the role of God's will in an individual's life?

The speaker believes that everything is part of God's will, but God gives individuals the choice to decide whether to align with His will or not.

How does the speaker characterize people who are always unhappy, even in good times?

The speaker characterizes these individuals as those who, despite good things happening to them, always think the worst and find fault, indicating a lack of alignment with God's will.

What is the speaker's opinion on the possibility of finishing one's spiritual journey in a single lifetime?

The speaker believes it is very much possible to finish everything in one life if there is enough devotion and surrender to God's will.

What does the speaker imply about the importance of devotion (bhakti) in one's spiritual journey?

The speaker implies that devotion is crucial for a spiritual journey, as it enables an individual to fully surrender to God's will and potentially complete their spiritual journey in one lifetime.

How does the speaker differentiate between people who place God first and those who place the world first?

The speaker differentiates by stating that those who place God first are surrendered to His will and see everything as part of His plan, while those who place the world first are more likely to find fault and be unhappy.

What choice does God leave to individuals according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, God leaves individuals the choice to either surrender to His will or not, and He will not force them to do so.

How does the speaker describe the relationship between free will and God's will?

The speaker describes a relationship where everything is the will of God, but individuals have the free will to choose whether to align with that will or not, with God providing the opportunity to surrender at any point.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Exploring Free Will and Divine Will

This paragraph discusses the concept of free will in relation to the divine will of God. It addresses the perception of free will and the role of thoughts, both negative and positive. It references Krishna's teaching that good and bad coexist in every situation. The speaker emphasizes that individuals have the choice to see either the good or the bad in any circumstance. Some people, despite life's challenges, maintain a positive outlook and smile, while others find fault even in good times. The paragraph concludes that being in tune with God's will leads to guidance in any situation, whereas not being in tune results in constant dissatisfaction. The ultimate choice of surrendering to God's will or prioritizing worldly matters is left to the individual.

Keywords

💡Will of God

The 'Will of God' refers to the divine plan or intention that is believed to guide the universe and the lives of individuals. In the context of the video, it is suggested that all events and circumstances are part of this divine will. The concept is central to the discussion on free will versus divine determinism, where the speaker argues that while everything is part of God's will, individuals still have the choice to perceive and respond to life's situations in either a positive or negative light.

💡Free Will

Free Will is the power of making choices that are neither determined by natural causality nor predestined by fate or divine will. The script challenges the concept by suggesting that people do not have as much free will as they think, as their thoughts and reactions are influenced by external factors. However, it also acknowledges the existence of choice in how one aligns with or reacts against the 'Will of God'.

💡Mind

The 'Mind' in this context refers to the faculty of consciousness and thought, which the speaker suggests has the capacity to choose between seeing the good or the bad in any given situation. It is integral to the discussion on how individuals can exercise their will to perceive life positively or negatively, despite the overarching 'Will of God'.

💡Choice

Choice is the act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities. The video emphasizes that individuals have the choice to align with the 'Will of God' or to prioritize worldly concerns. This concept is highlighted as a key aspect of human agency within the divine framework.

💡Positive Outlook

A 'Positive Outlook' is an optimistic and hopeful approach to life's challenges. The script uses this term to describe the attitude of those who, despite their circumstances, choose to see the good in life, which is presented as a conscious choice rather than a default state of being.

💡Negative Outlook

Conversely, a 'Negative Outlook' is a pessimistic perspective that tends to focus on the adverse aspects of situations. The video mentions this as a choice that individuals can make, even when good things are happening, which contrasts with the positive outlook.

💡Surrender

Surrender in this context means to yield or submit to a higher power or authority, in this case, the 'Will of God'. The speaker suggests that those who surrender to God's will see everything as part of that divine plan, which can lead to a sense of peace and acceptance.

💡Devotion

Devotion is a deep and passionate commitment to a person, cause, or activity, here specifically referring to the 'Will of God'. The script implies that true devotion can lead to a state where one's life can be transformed or 'finished' in a spiritual sense within a single lifetime.

💡Bhakti

Bhakti is a term from Indian spiritual traditions, often translated as 'devotion' or 'loving devotion to God'. In the script, it is presented as a necessary quality for those who wish to fully surrender to the divine will and achieve spiritual liberation.

💡Guidance

Guidance in the video refers to the divine influence or direction that individuals receive when they are in tune with the 'Will of God'. It suggests that those who align with this will are led through life's situations with a sense of purpose and direction.

💡Fault-finding

Fault-finding is the act of constantly looking for or pointing out errors or flaws. The script uses this term to describe the behavior of individuals who, even when faced with positive circumstances, choose to focus on the negative aspects, reflecting a lack of alignment with the 'Will of God'.

Highlights

The concept of God's will versus the idea of free will is explored.

The mind is presented as having the capacity for both good and bad thoughts.

Krishna's quote about the inherent balance of good and bad in every situation is mentioned.

The choice to perceive situations positively or negatively is emphasized as a personal decision.

People who maintain a positive outlook despite adversity are highlighted.

The importance of being in tune with God's will for guidance in all situations is discussed.

The contrast between those who find fault even in good situations and those who are content is made.

The idea that some people are always unhappy, even in good times, is introduced.

The distinction between those who surrender to God's will and those who prioritize worldly concerns.

The choice to surrender to God's will is presented as a personal option, not a forced one.

The possibility of finishing the cycle of life in one lifetime through devotion is suggested.

The necessity of devotion (bhakti) for spiritual progress is underlined.

God is described as giving the choice to surrender, even across multiple lives.

The empowerment of individuals to make their own spiritual choices is a central theme.

The transcript concludes with the affirmation that everything is ultimately God's will, but individuals have the freedom to decide.

Transcripts

Insights from the Master

If Everything is the Will of God, what about Free Will?

People who think they have free will?

No, what free will do you have?

[But the thoughts, the negative or positive, I don’t decide. It arises.]

It is there. Like I explained yesterday,

the mind, you have both choices. Like Krishna Himself said,

"In every good there is equally bad. In every bad there is equally good."

No? If you want to choose to see the bad, you will see the bad.

And if you want to see the good, you will see the good.

There are people, in every situation, they always smile.

Have you met people like that?

No, never met? Ah, poor people are you, man!

Because it’s not that they don’t care about life.

They do, but they take life in a positive way.

If you are in tune with His will,

then everything – you are guided, even in any situation.

But if you are not in tune with Him,

in any situation you will find fault.

Even if there are good things happening to you, you will find fault.

Have you met people who even in good times they are always unhappy?

[Yes.]

Have you? No? Never met? I have met many.

You know, even if something good happens, they always think the worst thing of it.

So, you see, you have both kinds of people:

one which is surrendered to the will of God and see everything

as a will of God in any situation.

For them, they place God first.

But others, they place the world first.

So, which one? That’s your choice.

Everything, it is His will.

But He leaves you that choice to decide.

He will never force you. Even if you have to go through millions of lives,

He gives you that choice, "Go!

I give you also the chance to surrender.

Take it, finish this life."

It is very much possible to finish everything in one life.

That bhakti, that devotion must be there.