Aphorisms* or now "observations" on Free Will, Ongoing...

*I believe we have moved on from the aphorism stage of this blog posting on free will. Why not call it observations regarding free will or its absence. After all, it is based on observation of our experience and that will remain the source of our language regarding free will narratives. Far too many of us are used by misguided narratives, or to be more precise misguided intentional narratives, regarding decisions and the narratives pertaining to this linguistic nightmare.

I'm sure you have heard the phrase "sentient beings" before, as in "We humans are 'sentient beings.'" Well, forget that. Let's say, arguing against the notion of free will, that there is sentience but let the "being" part drop. So, there is the incarnation of history or karma and sentience. Lose the "being" part--unless you mean be-ing.

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7/10/2019--Did you ever notice the fact that when our so-called thoughts are actually occurring or being lived, they are not thoughts? How did thoughts become thoughts? In thinking or, as we wish to say here, in living, there are no thoughts. "Then what is there," you may ask, you tell me. The intention or content being intended in our so-called thought is what is alive. Thoughts are non-existent then. No one is thinking them either, are they? Yet, we have the distinct impression and, most importantly, feeling* that we are thinking them--but in retrospect only. In the movement or living of intentions, we are what is in the thought and who we are is the self that abides as a dynamic person or self or being or whatever one's theoretical language deals in its abstraction-intentions that are, by the way, also lived in.

*This deserves a comment all its own. It's way too important for a mere inclusion.


Those of us who have tried, mostly in vain I might add, to lessen the number of thoughts (felt-narratives) that contain unpleasant and even evil feelings, found that methods or mind-training has failed them. Why is that? Well, to begin with, those difficult thoughts are not yours. Go from that working hypothesis and you may stumble upon some very interesting conclusions. Give it a whirl and test this out for yourself. One is left with the distinct impression, assuming you have exhausted all the possibilities of thinking otherwise, that you have been unsuccessful. That's when a change may occur. Don't believe me, see for yourself. Those of us who are not plagued by unpleasant, shall we say, thoughts consider yourself lucky and forget you read this post--which you may find to be impossible. 

"He deserves the death penalty," you have heard this before haven't you? Was this decided upon by his or her own free will? Was there some deliberation about responsibility or some such nonsense prior to this thought or statement arising? This statement is, most often pure reactivity. What do you think? Did something just "come to mind"? It's always that thoughts just come to mind.



All of a sudden, "I feel like having a piece of chocolate." Again, that pesky free will. 

Here is an example of free will with respect to getting a glass of water: "I'm thirsty; I'm getting a glass of water." The incarnate, i.e., felt narrative is the will. Looking for something outside, alongside, behind, or in front of the feeling-narrative will prove to be futile upon close observation. See for yourself.

Ever watch your hands perform? This kind of watching may take place in, for example, doing dishes or tying shoelaces. We may be carrying the assumption "I am doing the dishes," or "I am tying my shoelaces." However, if we are watching the movement of our hands, very carefully--without suspicions or expectation--you may observe the action is performed without you. Don't believe it? Watch and see. Now, this observation may be made with respect to all acts, even including speaking and thinking. After all, do we ever know what thought will occur next, honestly? Honestly here translates as clear-minded observation alone.