The non-reality of free will (2.5.97)

[Charles A. Hillig]

>I thought that, in this context, Brahman could be compared to the petrol in
>a car.

     Actually, since Brahman can't be compared nor contrasted to anything,
we immediately run into our usual problem trying to describe the indescribable.

> Without the petrol, the car can do nothing but in no sense could the
>petrol be said to be acting. Similarly, electricity enables a refrigerator
>to beome cold but the electricity is not cold, or it enables a cooker to
>become hot but is not itself hot. In an analagous manner, no-one and nothing
>can act without the support of aatman but aatman itself does not act. It
>will support the actions of a murderer just as much as those of a doctor in
>the same way as the petrol will enable both tank and ambulance to perform
>their respective functions.

     I still really like Maharshi's brilliant metaphor about the Self  being
somewhat like a movie screen.   All of the action (which implies change)
that seemingly takes place on the screen is illusory....no matter how real
it appears.  The only Reality is the unbroken, seamless Screen Itself  that
is "supporting" whatever movie that is being projected.

      The Screen, Itself, neither condones nor condems anything because it
doesn't judge a story line as being right, wrong, good or bad   With
complete equanimity, It accepts ALL of the "movies" equally.....comedies,
farces , melodramas and tragedies.

      And remains totally untouched by them all.

                           With Blessings,


                                 Chuck Hillig