Every time you whisper—“I chose this”—pause. Was it really you, or your hormones, fears, and the invisible strings of society tugging at you?
Free will is the most comforting story we tell ourselves. But what if it is only a story?
This question spans philosophy, neuroscience, physics, and religion.
The Birth of Tendencies
Every living being is born with one fundamental force: the I-tendency (अहंवृत्ती)—
“I exist, and my existence must continue.”
Because existence is fragile, Fear arises—fear of loss, scarcity, insecurity.
From Fear branch the Ṣaḍ-ripu (षड्रिपु)—the six enemies:
- Lust (काम) — fear-driven hunger for pleasure
- Anger (क्रोध) — a heated shield against threat
- Greed (लोभ) — fear of never having enough
- Attachment (मोह) — fear of letting go
- Pride (मद) — fear of inadequacy
- Jealousy (मत्सर) — fear of others having what we lack
Diagram idea: I-tendency → Fear → Six Enemies
Image credits: https://www.eraser.io/diagramgpt
Nature Governs Psychology
These arise from प्रकृति (nature). To be human is to inherit them.
If our actions are driven by them, we are अचेतन (unconscious); “free will” becomes माया (illusion).
पराधीन आहे जगतीं पुत्र मानवाचा।
In this world, man is subject to forces beyond him.
Science Weighs In
Classical physics is deterministic—every effect has a cause.
Even Einstein resisted quantum randomness: “God does not play dice.” 🎲
Quantum probabilities don’t magically free our day-to-day choosing; constraints remain.
The Three Leashes: Body · Society · Circumstances
Trace your decisions:
- Body: hormones, DNA, instincts
- Society: family and culture conditioning
- Circumstances: luck, systems, context
As long as these dictate us, we are not free—we’re unaware.
Kabir’s Unsparing Verdict
Saint Kabir said:
पीर मरे, पैगम्बर मरि हैं,
मरि हैं ज़िन्दा जोगी,
राजा मरि हैं, परजा मरि हैं,
मरि हैं बैद और रोगी।
साधो रे, ये मुर्दों का गांव।
Those governed by the six enemies—or by body, society, circumstance—are living dead; this is a village of corpses.
From Machines to Awareness
If our choices arise from these forces, we are polished biological machines.
There is another path: Awareness.
Practice: Mindful Inquiry (आत्मवलोकन)
For every thought/impulse/decision, ask:
- Where did this arise?
- If from lust/anger/greed/attachment/pride/jealousy → stop.
- If dictated by body/society/circumstance → pause.
Then refuse to choose on that basis. Choose instead by truth, justice, and the greater (non-personal) good. That is how free will becomes real.
This is true mindfulness—not merely breath-watching, but tracing thoughts to their root.
Normal flow: I-tendency → Fear → Six Enemies → Conscious brain.
Inquiry flows backward: Consciousness → root.
This is आध्यात्म—from जड़/अचेतन/प्रकृति/पार्वती to जागृति/चेतन/पुरुष/शिव.
Kabir warns: without awareness we live as corpses in ये मुर्दों का गांव.
Awareness is rebellion. Awareness is freedom.
—
Hrishikesh Alshi
2 Sept 2025
I write about inner growth, Indian wisdom, and timeless truths. If this moved you, let’s stay connected.