What role if any, does 'choice' play in the shape and direction our lives take? Is there a choice in what can and will happen in our lives?
The predetermined 'body/mind'
First of all, what possibly can happen to an individual (i.e. what is possible) is predetermined by ones genetics or physical/biological/psychological potentials and limitations. You cannot grow to be 100 feet tall. If you are a Caucasian you cannot be an Asian. Your eyes cannot see atoms. If you are slow witted you will be limited in your intellectual capacity, even if you work hard to make the most of what potential you have. We come into this world with a variety of predetermined physical and psychological limitations and potentials, and life is played out within these parameters, for better or worse.
Also, what can happen to an individual is limited by the laws of Reality. At this point in time, you cannot jump and stay in the air, due to the laws of gravity that operate here on earth. You cannot physically disappear. You cannot hold your breath forever. And you cannot say "1-2-3 die" and end your life, no matter how hard you wish for that to happen.
An individual can only ever 'be and experience' what they have the capacity and potential to 'be and experience'. We are limited beyond choice by the biological and psychological capacities of the body/mind operating within the laws of Reality.
The random 'stuff of Life'
In the Life of an individual, most of what one will experience is the product of a series of random events. In other words, most of what we experience in Life in not a matter of choice. Things happen to us, beyond our choice. The body/mind we are born with, the family we were born into, the geographical location, time period, and sociopolitical environment we became a part of, are a few of many things that simply happen to us, and play a deep role in the shaping of our lives. We do not choose these factors, but they do happen to us.
Most of what is occurring and what will occur around us is simply beyond our choice. Things are happening and will happen, and we are unavoidably in the midst of things happening. Life imposes itself upon us beyond our choice.
The biased and conditioned 'me habit'
Starting at birth, as a genetically predetermined individual lives out its limitations within randomly occurring situations, events, and circumstances, the body/mind of this individual becomes deeply conditioned (habituated) by its interactions with the arising random experiences. The individual develops a conditioned 'desire system' that is based on the positive or negative outcomes of these random interactions and experiences. What's more, one interprets an experience within the biased parameters of the history of the conditioned 'me habit'. One interprets new experience through the biased lens that was determined by past experiences of the body/mind 'me habit'.
Ones past determines ones interpretation of the present, which in turn will determine the course of action one will seemingly choose. The seeming biased choices one makes is determined by past experience and the conditioned desire system that is created by these biases.
The freedom to choose?
Ones Life is the interplay of: the predetermined physical/biological/psychological capacities, potentials and limitations (the 'body/mind') operating within the laws of Reality, the random family we were born into, the geographical location, time period, and sociopolitical environment and culture we became a part of (the 'stuff of Life'), the deeply conditioned and biased interpreting desire system based on the positive or negative outcomes of the predetermined body/mind interacting with the stuff of Life (the 'me habit').
To summarize, as humans we are an interplay of: a predetermined 'body/mind', limits of laws of Reality a conditioned 'me habit' (self), biased interpretations , random 'stuff of Life',
Where is the CHOICE in all this???
A situation occurs. An opportunity to choose. Yes or no? If a 'yes' arises within awareness, or, an impulse to move towards the affirmative of two options arises, what is it that chooses that 'yes'? The predetermined 'body/mind' and its conditioned 'me habit' operating with the laws of Reality is what 'chooses', based on the biased preferences determined by a history that is itself constructed by the same predetermined 'body/mind' and conditioned 'me habit'.
Freedom FROM choice
For MOST, much if not all of life is lived automatically, that is, out of awareness. A Life lived on 'auto pilot' is already without choice. There is only action and reaction endlessly, like a robot or zombie. When one is Awake or Aware, one is Aware of the possibilities that arise in a situation, even if those possibilities are still limited, biased, and conditioned. But, and here's a big but, it is still the predetermined 'body/mind' and its conditioned 'me habit' that supposedly 'chooses'.
What does this mean?
It means our hopes and dreams, our past and present, our desires and aversions, our personality and potentials, and our family, language, race, and all other events, situations, qualities and conditions simply HAPPENED to the predetermined body/mind and conditioned 'me habit'. A multitude of un-chosen factors came together to create an un-chosen body/mind "me habit" that based on an un-chosen past, seemingly chooses. That sounds amusing, but what does it mean?
It means that there is no 'one' that chooses, but choices seemingly occur. There is no 'one' to decide, but decisions seemingly occur. Ultimately, freedom means a deep realization that what was was, what is is, and what will be will be, and that no 'one' is in control or ultimately responsible for any of it. Freedom means abiding as THAT that is AWARE of the seeming possibilities or choices available to the 'me habit'. Abiding as Awareness. That Awareness Itself does not, and cannot, choose. Awareness is choice-less. 'Choice' is but a another biased idea that occurs to a predetermined body/mind and conditioned 'me habit' within the open space of Awareness, that gives the illusion of 'someone' whom can choose.
The predetermined 'body/mind', the conditioned 'me habit' with biased interpretation, and the random 'stuff of Life' are all but various arbitrary expressions of the one Reality. Awareness is beyond predetermination, conditioning, bias, or choice. Freedom means freedom from the burden of believing there some 'one' with a choice. Awareness is the undetermined, unconditioned, unbiased, and choice-less Reality.
What then, am 'I'? I am an expression of that Reality! I am expressed?as Reality expresses me! There is no choice!!! Choice is the ultimate illusion. Disillusionment is the ultimate Freedom. I am already free. I have no choice.
I am a mysterious expression of the undetermined, unconditioned, unbiased, and choice-less AWARENESS or REALITY that was, is, and always will be the common flavor of freedom, inherent in the vastness of this unending now.
Aaron McNaught is the owner and service provider of a Red Deer based company called: Aaron McNaught Education/Consultations.
As a Public Speaker, Aaron describes himself as a 'Wake-up Artist', which means he helps people remember or 'Wake-up' to who they truly are, beyond stories and descriptions.
As a Consultant, Aaron offers unique approaches to Life Exploration, Healing and Development.
It was a long walk but someone had to do... Read More
How are you feeling now?The answer to this question determines... Read More
Do you know anyone who always seems to have bad... Read More
We human beings naturally have two kinds of state that... Read More
Millions of people face huge changes in their lives during... Read More
If you read personal growth or self-help books at all,... Read More
Would you like to get lucky? There are at least... Read More
Blushing can be a curse. Blushers experience a range of... Read More
We almost all think we are masters of our own... Read More
Do you have things like a bicycle, jetski, or swimming... Read More
Over time, the TIP's Letters that receive the most response... Read More
Very often when you are talking to people what you... Read More
In the movie, "The Player" during a scene at a... Read More
What you need to understand is that there is no... Read More
Tip #1. Find your purpose. Finding one's purpose is the... Read More
Whose life are you living? Are you living your dream... Read More
In some of my counseling and coaching sessions, my clients... Read More
There are a couple of things you've probably heard said... Read More
During a recent speech, I told the audience that my... Read More
You don't need a guitar, rock-hard abs, or even a... Read More
Many of us mistakenly believe that it's wrong or conceited,... Read More
I just moved into my new luxurious, harborside condo, overlooking... Read More
You only have to look around you at your friends,... Read More
Someone recently asked me the question: "How can I have... Read More
In part 1 of this series, we discussed your Total... Read More
See if this scenario sounds familiar. You're under a lot... Read More
Our feelings are perceived by means of our sensors, our... Read More
You get what you attract ? with your thoughts, words,... Read More
I hear of so many people using affirmations as the... Read More
Your mind is so powerful that what you focus on... Read More
Dr. Wayne Dyer has been an inspiration for me for... Read More
And the real sad part is that the people involved... Read More
We have all heard the expression, "if at first you... Read More
We are often asked to tell our life-story. I wasn't... Read More
The woman stood over the stove stirring a pot of... Read More
The ability to converse effortlessly with those you encounter is... Read More
Dear Friend,First of all, let's take a look at the... Read More
"I'd like to find a partner who dances. Do you?"... Read More
What can you do to really immerse yourself into living... Read More
'Until you make peace with who you are, you'll never... Read More
One of the most important needs for every human being... Read More
Underearning is a process of not really making enough to... Read More
Do you know that many people feel they cannot achieve... Read More
In a relationship, your ability to understand and respond to... Read More
A lot of your people problems and concerns about what... Read More
You've written out your goals. You read them every day.... Read More
Sometimes many of us feel like we've made deposits into... Read More
As I connect with more and more women I am... Read More
Somebody once said that insanity is doing the same thing... Read More
"We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience... Read More
If you want to learn how to be a good... Read More
Our people have no character" is acknowledged universally, at home... Read More
Watch your thoughts; they become words.Watch your words; they become... Read More
How To Prove To Yourself That You Are Going After... Read More
If we all got everything we wanted, most of us... Read More
You have seen them on television your entire life: the... Read More
Not having much luck in love lately? Relationship falling apart?... Read More
"To succeed, planning alone is insufficient. One must improve as... Read More
It's amazing how easy it is to convince ourselves that... Read More
And the real sad part is that the people involved... Read More
Do you have things like a bicycle, jetski, or swimming... Read More
The Law of Attraction says that 'like attracts like'. It... Read More
A Seventeenth Century Samurai maxim states:"A man who has attained... Read More
Many people, who feel that they are independent and communicate... Read More
When others are angry with you, loving to you, critical... Read More
Recently a friend of mine was talking about all the... Read More
Attraction |