Breaking Free from Karma: Eastern & Western Perspectives on the Fate - Free Will Dilemma

By Nirgunananda Giri

What is Fate? How does it bind us?
What is Free Will? How can we exercise it?

The emerging western views on Free Will, supported by neuroscience studies, have left many to consider that perhaps we are all mere puppets in the hands of Destiny. For instance, addictions of any kind strangle our Free Will. Then there is the sense of despair when things happen in our life against our will and we are left feeling helpless.

The principles of Karma in Indian philosophies supply the missing links to this debate of ‘Fate versus Free Will.’ Ancient Indian practices such as Yoga and Mindfulness, being embraced worldwide, help address Karma’s effects. However, Indian non-dualism, as in Advaita Vedanta and individual schools of Buddhism, break the chains of Karma (Fate) at the root level.

Written by Nirgunananda Giri, an Indian monk with a background in various spiritual traditions and who maintains an active dialogue with scientists and western philosophers, this book offers a range of perspectives on this topic and practical application of those perspectives in your life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nirgunananda Giri
• Release date: Feb 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9780997535723

Nirgunananda Giri

Swami Nirgunananda Giri is a monk in Indian tradition. He has trained and taught in the traditions of Indian Non-dualism (Vedanta), Buddhism, and Yoga meditation for over 20 years. In his quest for the Truth that transcends religions, traditions, and culture, he has traveled to and lived in several Ashrams and monasteries, both in the East and West.Born in India, but having lived a significant part of his life in other countries, Swami Nirgunanda is knowledgeable in Western philosophy and psychology. He draws on both the wide range of spiritual practices that he has personal experience in, along with modern scientific research, in all his writings and teachings.Presently based in the Uttarakhand region of Himalayas, India, he lives a simple life committed to his spiritual practices and writings

Book preview

Breaking Free from Karma

Eastern & Western Perspectives on the Fate-Free Will Dilemma

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Swami

Nirgunananda Giri

Copyright © 2020 Nirgunananda Giri

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission from the Author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Nirgunananda Giri has asserted his right under the Copyright, designs and patent Act to be identified as Author of this work.

First Edition 2020

Print Edition ISBN: 978-0-9975357-3-0

Ebook ISBN: 978-0-9975357-2-3

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020920372

Cover art design by Rakesh Soni, Vadodara

Interior Layout by Liz Ranola

Information for purchasing Print & eBook versions of this book can be found on the author’s website: www.nirgunananda.com

In memory of my Mother,

From whom I received the first spiritual teachings

Table of Contents

Cover

Preface

Introduction

From Los Angeles to Mumbai

The Problem in a Nutshell

Karma – ‘Unpacking’ the Terminology

Practical Benefits of this Topic

I. Karma, a Traditional Perspective

Role of Beliefs and how it shapes our Karma?

Conditioning and Deconditioning of Beliefs

What do We Believe in - Fate or Free Will?

Karma One-on-One

Types of Karma and Their Relationships

II. Philosophical and Scientific Perspectives

Is Free Will Just an Illusion?

A Clear Case for Free Will

Western Perspective

Eastern Counterparts to Western Philosophy

Vedic Perspective

Plan A: Avoid New Karma — The Right Inner Attitude

Rituals, Astrology, and Worship to Counter Karmic Actions

The God Element and the ‘Mysterious’ Grace Factor

Prayers, Devotion, and Their Significance

Faith, a Mental State for Working with Karma

Non-Theist Perspective

Sankhya, Jainism, and Buddhism

Buddhist Perspective

A Simplified Model of the Wheel of Samsara

Mental Conditioning and its Role in Creating Karma

Scope for Introspection and Mindfulness

How did We get Stuck in this Cycle?

Ignorance, the Root Problem

Scientific Perspective

A Case of Gambling Addiction

Addiction, the Barrier to Free Will

Behavioral Cognition

Practical Apps – Breaking the Addiction Loop

III. Vasanas – Habitual Tendencies

The Missing Link in Scientific Studies

Fate and Tendencies (Prarabdha and Vasanas)

The Manifestation of Vasanas

Free Will, an Expression of Inner Freedom

Practical Apps – Understanding Our Tendencies

IV. Purushartha – Free Will and Self-effort

Terminologies of Free Will and Self-effort

Four Kinds of Purushartha and the Choices

The Ultimate Purushartha Choice

Decision-making Factors - Purushartha choices

Practical Apps – Exercising Self-effort

Fate & Free Will – A Philosophical Comparison

V. Transformation by Overcoming Vasanas

Breaking the Cycle of "Vasanas – Actions"

Purifying Vasanas – The Karma Yogi

Meditation and the Art of Controlling Attention

The Right Dosage of Effort

The Yogic Formula for Transformation

Stilling the Thoughts and Resetting Intentions

Buddhist Path to Ultimate Freedom

Buddhism and the Vedas – Two Sides of the Coin

Multiple Models of the Wheel of Samsara

The Vedic Path – Conviction versus Faith

Purushartha: The Essence of all Practices

Practical Apps – Transformation

VI. Non-Dualistic Perspective and Resolution

Waking up to Reality: An Anecdote

Resolution of Fate-Free Will Dilemma

Advaitin’s Planes of Reality

Time-based Path versus Instant Liberation

Practical Apps: Inquiry into the Mistaken Identity

Non-Duality & Consciousness

Superimposition and the Birth of Ego!

Nature of Consciousness: Comparing Scientific and Advaita

Conditional and Unconditional Free Will – The Non-Dual Resolution

A Direct Approach to the Non-Dual Truth

A Traditional Approach to Non-Dual Truth

The Pursuit of Happiness and Freedom

CONCLUSION – Fate or Free Will?

Epilogue

Moral and Religious Implications

The post-Pandemic World and Collective Karma

References & Notes

Acknowledgment

About the Author

Footnotes

Preface

Deciding whether or not to read this book is a choice that you, as the reader, assume is your own. What if I were to suggest that you don’t have the options that you think you have? Your decision is dependent on various factors, such as your past conditioning, your proclivity toward such works, your external circumstances, and your internal mental state, among others.

Factors such as these could override your best intentions and aspirations. Scientific studies have revealed that even when we feel that we are in the middle of making a decision, somewhere in our neuro-physiological processes, the decision has already been made for us.

The debate on Fate versus Free Will is age-old within philosophical forums. New perspectives and research, however, have reignited our musings on these ancient subjects. Through this work, I will address discussions of Fate and Free Will that range from modern Western neuroscience and psychology studies to traditional Eastern philosophies. Within the latter philosophical schools, I have drawn much from contemplative traditions such as Yoga, Buddhism, and Vedanta. I have avoided over-emphasis of theories and logic from other eastern philosophical schools, as my purpose is not to prove the superiority of any one philosophical system over another, but rather to unearth the underlying Truth.

The use of jargon is kept to a minimum, whether of a philosophical, scientific, or religious nature. However, you will see some Sanskrit and Pali words being used following the Indian Vedic and Buddhist teachings—the two core philosophies which contribute to the central theme of this work. Key terminologies, therefore, have been retained because the English translations of these terms do not affect the same meanings or essences. Moreover, many of these words are commonly used in spiritual and philosophical circles these days; thus, readers may benefit from familiarizing themselves with this terminology. Nevertheless, I have endeavored to use English translations and meanings repeatedly to help the reader become familiar with these words.

Overall, I have attempted to write this book so that anyone from any background can relate to it and use it to find meaning in their lives. Nevertheless, I will caution that this book is not meant for casual reading or speculation. Those who are open-minded, scientifically inclined, or are on a quest for a deeper understanding of their own lives will be the ones to appreciate such a work in its entirety.

In the initial chapters, I explain how Karma works in our lives according to both the Vedic and non-theistic philosophies. This concept of Karma is at the core of understanding the subjects of Fate and Free Will within Eastern philosophies. In parallel, I have explored notions of Free Will as they’re taught in major schools of Western philosophy, and have drawn comparisons to the Eastern philosophical schools. In modern times, neuroscientists, cognitive scientists, and other related researchers have contributed significantly to our understanding of this topic. Thus, I have found it useful to extract certain aspects of their research that are most relevant to this work.

The middle portion of this book delves into the heart of this topic. I have examined the notion of ‘unmanifest tendencies,’ that is, the subconscious and unconscious thought patterns which are hidden from our awareness, but surface in our lives as habit-forces. From psychologists to spiritual practitioners, the overcoming of one’s thought patterns and their resultant behavioral tendencies has always been of great interest. Breaking free from the chains of Karma and its habit-force, either through practice or right understanding, has been the hallmark of Eastern philosophies and the intention of Western psychology. Accordingly, I have presented practical tips at the end of each segment, summarizing the essence of various teachings and how to practice them. These are titled ‘Practical Apps’ signifying their accessibility and applicability.

The final section of this work examines the subjects of Fate and Free Will from the standpoint of the Non-dualism of selective Buddhist schools, and of Advaita Vedanta. Doing so has made it possible to bring this seemingly inconclusive, age-old debate to a somewhat satisfactory resolution. In fact, the essence of this Non-dual philosophy is embraced these days widely among Western philosophers, consciously or unconsciously, in one form or another. Regardless of whether or not readers embrace the overarching philosophy of Non-dualism espoused in this work, it is hoped that readers will contemplate this topic from the various perspectives of Eastern and Western philosophies, as well as modern science, psychology, and so forth. Perhaps they will glean useful insights and practical tips which they can then apply in their own lives. Although not each of these perspectives will appeal to all, I believe that a persistent reader who does consider all of them will be better equipped to connect the dots and comprehend the Truth that underlies this compelling and complex debate.

Finally, I have presented some closing reflections in the Epilogue about two key areas related to our ability to exert Free Will—the first being the moral-religious values and societal implications of doing so, and the second being the present-day scenario and future outlook of the world in the post-pandemic era. These are day-to-day matters which I hope the reader will consider and contemplate.

The reason that Karma philosophy has gained traction and importance worldwide is not for the sake of speculation and curiosity, but rather for each individual to reconcile the seemingly unjust and unpredictable circumstances in life, which we all face from time-to-time. The principles of Karma, when understood accurately, offer us a lofty view of life, in which our actions can be directed wisely and in accordance with the higher values that lead to peace and happiness for ourselves and others.

Introduction

From Los Angeles to Mumbai

At first look, John comes across as an unlikely candidate to be contemplating Fate…

With a successful Hollywood video-editing career spanning over twenty years, and a beautiful house overlooking the famous Malibu beach north of Los Angeles, many might envy John’s position in life. But that outer façade can’t conceal the fact that John’s time on this planet is limited. A recent diagnostic test revealed cancer of an advanced stage raging through his body.

As a divorcée, long-estranged from his other family members due to his obsession with wealth and fame, it seems that he will die lonely and with a grieving heart. But before his days in this realm on Earth run out, there are a few lingering and legitimate questions on his mind: Is it too late to put forth the effort to change how I have lived my life so far? And if I do put forth the effort to change, can it spare me from the gloom and doom of this existence and beyond?

In the overpopulated city of Mumbai, a woman in her mid-thirties tosses restlessly in her bed. Two of her children lie curled up by her side in a makeshift bed that is spread out only at night within their cramped hut in the infamous Mumbai slums. During the day, that same bedroom transforms into a kitchen and living room. In fact, in a few hours before dawn, Susheela-behen, as she is known, will begin her busy schedule, making her rounds at the four apartments in the city where she works as a maid.

As a single parent, her struggle to make ends meet can only be seen as Fate’s cruel cast of the die. Moreover, in the past few weeks, she has had the additional burden of sending her children to school. Her hope is for her children to become educated, for them to escape her Fate. So, work she must, as that is her only choice and the only area of Self-effort that could potentially make any difference for her future or that of her children.

The Problem in a Nutshell

At this very moment, do you have the sense that you can do whatever you want within reason? Consider these scenarios:

Can you choose to raise your hand or stand up at will?

Can you choose to sing your favorite song loudly?

Can you not choose what you will wear when you go out today?

(Of course, we are not considering the cases of physical disability, nor the need for social etiquette, which influences our actions.)

You and I, being rational, sane people, do have this sense of control in being able to think and act out our intentions. At least we all harbor this innate belief that we are the ‘author of the moments of our life.’ In fact, psychologists say that not having this sense of ‘conscious control’ could be a sign of mental illness, and could lead to conditions such as depression. In Western philosophy, this notion of the sense of freedom to voluntarily choose to do what we desire is termed, Free Will.

Not only do we sense that we have Free Will and conscious control, we believe that others are conscious and endowed with Free Will, too. Our expectations of other people, our affection or animosity toward them, and the legal system itself are based on the notion that people can consciously behave and act according to their own choosing.

However, there is another side to this coin: although we sense that we have Free Will, it appears that in most situations of our daily life, things don’t always go as we have planned. And even if they do, there seems to be a deeper cause that appears to influence our intention to act in a certain way.

Consider a situation where you decide to go into your kitchen and make yourself a cup of coffee. As you are about to pour the milk into your cup, your pet or child runs into you, knocking the milk from your hands.

Consider also your own New Year’s resolutions. Say you decide to give more time to your studies, learn something new, or give up certain unproductive habits such as watching TV late at night or eating junk food. Very soon, against your intentions, you are compelled to act in ways that break your resolutions.

Lastly, say you take a few moments during the day where you sit quietly to meditate. For most active people, a host of thoughts seem to swarm their minds, distracting them whenever they make such efforts. Such inner workings of the mind demonstrate that we don’t even seem to control our faculty of attention or the thoughts that enter our minds, let alone the events that happen to us in the external world (I explore this further, later in this book, in the section on ‘Meditation and the Art of Control of Attention.’)

So, when we review these examples, we must ask ourselves, where is the control over our lives that we think we have? Are we free,