On the Question of Free Will in the Temporal and Eternal Contexts
© 2003
>> I have a query regarding free will. Rawn mentioned a while ago that by living in the temporal now is the only way you can maintain free will (after you reach a certain level of integration with the higher self and the all). I have long been under the impression that there is no free will at any point as every action undertaken is a perfect representation of every circumstance that has lead to the present level of consciousness, thus any action / reaction that occurs in the physical is, by definition, the only action that could have taken place; any other response / action / whatever is physically impossible to happen. So the question is, to what extent is there genuine free will, as I am under the distinct impression that the illusion of free will in workers is the main driving force behind life and QED the magics. <<
For the sequentialized mind, the apparent conflict of free will is the most difficult aspect of the eternal perspective to integrate.
The fact that what *is*, is as it should and must be, applies *only* to what *is* -- i.e., to what *exists*. From an eternal perspective *EVERY* thing *exists* and the whole infinite span of time (i.e., the sequential realm) *exists* as a whole -- within an infinitely encompassing *Now*. So *in* the eternal realm, it's a fait accompli and there is no free will (in the mundane sense).
However, in the sequential realm the only thing that *exists* is the present moment of the sequence. In the sequential realm, the past doesn't *exist*, nor does the future *exist*. The only thing that *exists* in the sequential realm is a finite *now*. Since future does not yet *exist*, it is *created by what transpires within the finite now*. Free will is our ability to decide *right now* how we will act and it is these temporal decisions that create the future; or rather, when we make a choice, we change the *now* and move it forward through the sequence.
Within the temporal present moment we *do* have free will. In fact, everywhere within the sequential realm we have free will.
An important aspect of integrating the eternal perspective (or rather, the eternal *experience*) into the sequential layers of conscious awareness, is learning how to hold these opposite perspectives simultaneously. One must be able to function within the temporal realm and consciously exercise their free will, while simultaneously remaining aware of the eternal perspective. And vise versa, while in the eternal perspective, one must also be cognizant of one's temporal existence and experience. [This deepens the eternal experience since its essence is that of *participation* (immanence) and not that of separation.]
This means that the enactment of one's temporal free will and the intentional creation of the future (i.e., continual re-creation of the *now*) are essential parts of true "ascendance". This is what brings the eternal *into* the temporal and "heals the rift".
My previous comment to you in private regarding the loss of free will when one relies upon the eternal perspective to view what, from the temporal present moment, appears to be "future", will hopefully make more sense now. :) When you *know* what your next choice will be *before it has occurred temporally*, you are then bound to following *that* choice. In other words, there is no longer any *choice*. The essence of free will is the *power to choose*. This power stems from Chokmah (Wisdom) and is an *essential* part of the sequential realm. It is not an "illusion" as many state -- it is a Primordial Law.
>> Also, does the extent of potential free will differ depending on the level of an initiate? <<
No. One's freedom to will is infinite. What *does* differ is one's ability to *manifest* their will. This has primarily to do with the fact that the process of initiation brings the individual into ever greater harmony with the Divine. The petty will is transformed into the Divine Will. Ultimately, none of one's willings conflict with the Divine Will and there is then a *direct* and immediate manifestation of one's free will. But you must understand that the Infinite Divine Will manifests *through* the finite free will exercised an infinite number of times throughout an infinite number of temporal present moments.
Many equate this with greater freedom, but this is not so.
>> I am aware that this argument can be used as the perfect cop-out for anything, but I think it's also a necessary realisation for ascendance. <<
To my mind, it's the easy way out. It absolves one from all responsibility for their actions and for the future. If that were the Ultimate Goal, then why bother. ;-)
This attitude/assumption is also indicative of a dis-Equilibrium of the Elements in the temporal mental body, with roots in the astral personality structure. It reflects a character need to be absolved of, or to avoid, personal responsibility. Often, this is very subtle -- so subtle that it doesn't make itself known to the initiate's consciousness until the work of integrating the eternal experience is begun.
One doesn't just *cross* the Abyss -- one must also *return*. :) There are two legs to the journey.
My best to you,
:) Rawn Clark
07 Nov 2003
>> But finally, for me, when looking around at the succession of events and determinisms - and I am still trapped in it- the most puzzling question is - God, this is completely crazy, on one hand you can experience Eternal Bliss, on the other hand you are in this limited world. Why is it so ? <<
You answer your own question at the end --
"And finally, what I have left is no "plateau to reach", but deepening the experience and getting more clarity at the mental and emotional levels so that I can also feel the Unity in my mundane life."
The "point" (I use that word reluctantly) is to bring the eternal *into* the temporal present moment. *That* is what transforms the present moment reality -- *because* it transforms your mundane self.
In many respects, the "return" is more difficult and arduous for the mundane self than the "Crossing". It's not *just* ascension -- it's *also* the descent of what you ascended to. :) It's the cyclic spiral alluded to in the "Emerald Tablet of Hermes".
My best to you,
:) Rawn Clark
07 Nov 2003
>> I am starting to be conscious of what implies the fact that the past, future and present does exist simultaneously. <<
I suggest that a better way of conceiving this is to say that the only thing that exists is *now*. In the non-sequential realm of eternity, *now* is infinite and all-encompassing (i.e., it includes what, from a temporal perspective, we'd call 'past' and 'future', all in a single, infinite *now*). But here in the sequentialized temporal realm, *now* is an infinitely finite thing that encompasses only the present moment. In other words, within the temporal realm, 'past' and 'future' do not exist since they are not encompassed by the temporal *now*.
But still, what doesn't change is the *quality* of *now* -- only the *quantity* of *now* changes. The infinitely finite temporal *now* is our doorway, if you will, to the infinitely infinite eternal *now*.
<< In many respects, the "return" is more difficult and arduous for the mundane self than the "Crossing". It's not *just* ascension -- it's *also* the descent of what you ascended to. :) It's the cyclic spiral >>
>> Yes, although, this is tempting just to leave "It" there, cutting all attachments results in Freedom because, you are not bound to "It". BUT, it is greater to cut the attachments AND to TRANSFORM the present moment. <<
Freedom *from* inevitably leads to the responsibility inherent to freedom *to do*. Becoming free *from* what binds us is not the end of the story -- freedom is not a static state of nothingness. Freedom demands that we then *do* something with our freedom, otherwise we are just bound anew but this time by inertia.
My best to you,
:) Rawn Clark
09 Nov 2003
>> Hum, possibly and thus, doing something is putting you back into the chain of causes and effects. Are we then forever bound to it? And are we obliged to always be actors in the Cosmic Drama? <<
So long as you are incarnate within the realm of sequence, you *exist within* the realm of cause and effect. THAT is inescapable. However, this doesn't mean you must remain "bound", "chained" or in any way limited *by* it. The key to unchaining oneself is to become *in harmony with* the Laws of the Realm, so to speak. That, after all, is the essence of magic.
The alembic of initiation purifies you and transforms all of the dross into purest essence. In other words, the petty ego gives way to the Divine and all that one *does* is done in perfect harmony with the Universe. THAT is what true freedom is about -- it's not about gaining license to do things contrary to the Laws of Nature.
So long as you are attached to your suffering, you cannot be free. So long as you feel that cause and effect are a burden, you cannot be free. The only way to be free is to embrace your captors.
>> In the Corpus Hermeticum (apparently as well in the Emerald Tablet), there is sometimes the implicit paradigm that the world is the manifestation of "The One". So, to me this World, "the temporal Now we are now living into as a member of the humanity on Earth" is not in perfection as it would be if only "ALL THINGS WERE MADE FROM CONTEMPLATION OF ONE, SO ALL THINGS WERE BORN FROM ONE ADAPTATION." So possibly, all things were made as described, but they have not remained so. This implies that "The ONE" did not create this world, because the perfect and eternal cannot create anything else but the eternal perfection. And if it would be so, then creation would not have fallen. <<
"All Things", in this context, refers to the sequential realm. "The One" refers to the Eternal Unity. This creation was not creat-ed, in the *past* tense. Remember, to the Eternal Unity, there is no "past" -- there is only the infinite NOW. This means that, in temporal terms, the Creation is a *continuous*, eternal act. To quote Paul Case: "#1. I am a center of expression for the Primal Will-to-Good which eternally creates and sustains the universe."
From the eternal perspective -- *which encompasses, or sees, the whole infinite span of time and sequence, all at once* -- the Creation *IS* perfect, because it is seen in its wholeness and in its completion. But way "down" here, stuck within an infinitely finite moment of time-space, all we see is imperfection. What we can't see from here is that an *infinite* number of imperfect moments add up to ultimate perfection.
The sequential realm IS the body of The One. As such, *in its infinite totality*, it IS Perfection.
>> However, as the spark of Eternity does exist within oneself, what can be brought back to Eternity is Oneself. This ultimately will free us from the Cosmic Drama, which will be forever otherwise. <<
The spark must become the flame and it must grow in size until that is all one manifests within the temporal realm. When the eternal is made temporally manifest, the Individual is freed from the wheel of rebirth.
My best to you,
:) Rawn Clark
09 Nov 2003
>> Is it possible that one can experience freedom from a particular circumstance without changing or leaving the circumstance? I would think that merely coming away from one's circumstances or a physical change would not necessarily solve the problem, if there is one. It would be to the individual's advantage to experience "freedom in" before "freedom from". Otherwise, we would be taking the same old self with us, which in turn would produce similar or new circumstances. <<
True freedom is not situational. It's *internal*, not external. One can be free within ANY circumstance. Our essential freedom is our ability to think and feel any way *we* want. No external circumstance can steal that away from us.
Of course, we always face limitations placed upon the externalization of our internal freedom -- or rather, we face *consequences* that move us to limit our own externalization. If you do not fear the consequences, then no externally imposed limitation can prevent you from expressing your inner freedom in whatever way you choose.
>> Some philosophers have said that "freedom" is an illusion. There ain't no such animal. That's an interesting thought. <<
;-) Yeah, philosophers have said a lot of rather silly things over the ages. Seriously though, freedom *seems like* an illusion only to those who are not themselves free.
My best to you,
:) Rawn Clark
09 Nov 2003