Karma and Free Will

lone flowerI was asked the following:

Is it good for us to know our future (by means of Jyotish shastra) horoscope?  If yes, what is the point in knowing the future when everything is pre-determined by Karma. Won’t an Individual be upset if astrology predicts he will not live after a certain period (in near future).

To which I respond:

Jyotish is a map of your karma.  At the depth of your being (the level of the Transcendent, the Divine) you are beyond karma.  When you act from that level, you are infinitely free.  Yet jyotish does always give a forecast of the upcoming ‘weather’ on the surface of life.  For example, it is good to know if it is going to rain, so you can carry an umbrella.  Fight your karma with everything you have!  The best way to fight it is to evolve.  Proper meditation is the most powerful tool.  Learn the Surya Meditation on this website and then learn the Surya Ram meditation.  It is the best.

Karma will certainly play out, but it can be taken to a different level.  For example, karma may be that an accident will occur, but as you evolve, the accident will (instead of being major) be something as simple as stubbing your toe.  Of course, visiting the temple, havans, pujas, etc. help with this.  The question of free will versus predetermination is something I discuss in length in my lectures and writings.

Generally speaking, Westerners think they have more free will than they do. Easterners think they have less free will than they do.  As you evolve, you come to know that you and God are one.  At that point, your will and God’s will are one.  Then there is no question of free will versus predetermination.  God’s will comes in two forms: 1) the laws of karma governing this world of God’s creation and 2) infinite freedom.  So, for the enlightened, free will and predetermination are the same thing. There is no difference.

In the state of enlightenment, you have no karma.  However, you have entered the world of karma, generally out of compassion for the world.  What is perceived to be your karma, is the world’s karma revolving around you and your life… much as the planets revolve around the sun.

One final point: Many think of karma as something outside of themselves that affects them.  That is not the complete truth.  Most of your karma is between your ears and in your heart.  Most of your karma comes in the form of what you think and how you feel.  Thusly, you create your own world.

© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.

13 Comments

  1. Really helpful blog. Thanks. I’m unable to come to Mt Soma this month for class or retreat and really appreciate the point of connection through the blogs.

  2. Excellent reminder. I caught myself once again creating dramas in my mind that have no actual basis in facts. And at the same time I have to celebrate my Rahu in Libra, 1st house that gives me great imagination as well as the ability to shift that karma in my heart and head.

  3. Amazing blog!! So meditation eases out your karma, and so its in your thoughts and feelings i geuss that means if you think bad things have hatred in your heart is gonna get you bad karma?
    And good deeds does that also help to reduce your karma?

  4. Thank you Maharshi Ji for that awesome explanation. Thank you for Clearing my fog of doubt.

  5. eri,
    karma comes in good and bad forms. The only thing better than good karma is no karma. It is difficult to communicate this even in person let alone in a blog. It is as if you do not really exist any more… or perhaps better said, it is like everything is lightly etched on the face of Pure Being… like a very shear veil… There is a Divine flow… Krishna…

  6. Great reminder…Thanks Brahmarshi.

  7. Thinking of you my beloved teacher and the guru within. I am so humbly grateful. Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha.

  8. Like all blogs this one has me thinking. SO beautiful. I love the blogs, thank you for all your time and reflection into them!

  9. gratefully, I smile overflowing, as your truth sharing, breathes light into life ..so joyous..
    lightlove blessings to all
    cathy

  10. thank you for this ever helpful blog!

  11. This I’ve never heard before…very intriguing. I wish I could hear this in person. I’m getting caught up in the words, the language, and trying to restate in simpler terms to more deeply understand this seems impossible …


    God’s will comes in two forms: 1) the laws of karma governing this world of God’s creation and 2) infinite freedom.

  12. If this is true it is amazing…


    Karma will certainly play out, but it can be taken to a different level.  For example, karma may be that an accident will occur, but as you evolve, the accident will (instead of being major) be something as simple as stubbing your toe.

    So, just for dis us soon purposes: If Jesus were highly evolved, why would he be so brutally tortured and killed ?

    (This just worries me to no end that the pure of heart and intent are treated so badly. Or are they…?)

  13. I’ve heard this lecture from you many times and still love this blog! The flow is amazing. So to the point, goes right in. Thank you!