Does the Human Being Have Free Will?

by Ramesh S. Balsekar

Of course, he does. Otherwise how would the mechanism of daily living operate?

In fact, total free will is the very basis of daily living. Whether it was the caveman three thousand years ago or you today, the human being has been free to decide what to do in a given situation. However, it is everyone’s personal experience that what happens thereafter – the result or consequence of that action – has never been in anybody’s control.

So where does that leave free will? Is free will a tool for self-evolvement? Is it a device for the human being to accept responsibility for his actions? Or is it merely a notional boon which is worthless in daily living?

About the Author:

Ramesh S. Balsekar is a disciple of the late Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, a renowned Advaita master. From early childhood, Balsekar was drawn to Advaita, a nondual teaching, particularly the teachings of Ramana Maharshi and Wei Wu Wei. Ramesh has written over 20 books, and discusses the Indian philosophy of Advaita daily in Bombay, with visitors from around the world. The basic concept is that "all there is, is Consciousness"; all actions are happenings, the functioning of the Primal Energy, and not the doing by anyone. Ramesh frames the concepts in the context of daily living, speaking from his experience as a bank president and a family man.