THE SECRET OF TRUE FREE WILL
You may now know that your mind is a mechanism
for directing behavior, primarily run by sub-personalities (sub-wills). But did
you know that before you’re aware of having a thought, a sub-will has already
initiated it ... that your sub-wills are always a step ahead of you?
This has been shown scientifically -- that the
activity of a thought occurs in the brain a split second before we’re actually
aware of having it. So our thoughts are formed and actions decided before we
actually know them; thus we never really know what we’re going to think or
decide before we do it. Even if we make an action plan, the moment we go to
execute it, our sub-wills may react to an unexpected event and send us in a
different direction.
Yet, we maintain an illusion of free will and
control because we usually take ownership of whatever emerges from us, just
because it did. However, when
what emerges from us is very out of character with our self-view, we may become
aware of our lack of control – that something has gotten hold of us.
This can happen to us in the middle of a fierce
argument – in an outburst of rage our lack of self-control can so stunningly
confront us that it ‘awakens’ us to self-awareness. At such moments, time may
seem to slow down and we can see our behavior more objectively.
Ironically, at such out-of-control moments we may
also unintentionally touch upon the secret
of true free will – ACTING
IN A CALM SELF-POSSESSED STATE OF AWARENESS.
At this level we perceive more options for action
and can exercise free will. Also, at this level we may intuitively sense our
soul’s best inclinations and act more lovingly, creatively and constructively.
Self-possession is the key to exercising true free
will, and we may achieve it more consistently as we practice meditation and
mindful living; the two essential practices of life mastery.
Goodness and joy to all, Joseph.
SPREAD AWARENESS ... FORWARD THESE THOUGHTS TO A
FRIEND.
