Freedom of Choice - or - Freedom *from* Choice?

[Gummuluru Murthy]

On Tue, 3 Mar 1998, Frank Maiello wrote:

> The Universal Script unfolds inexorably, authored by the Ordainer,
> Isvara.
> The acts performed by the myraid jivas conform utterly to--are literally
> created *by*--this Script.  As such, there is no karma made or created
> by
> any individual jiva.  The jiva cannot be the free-choice doer.  This is
> repugnant and even frightening for most who contemplate it.  Yet it is
> the only logical conclusion derived at the culmination of philosophical
> investigation.  And, incredibly, it is the only means whereby the jiva
> can get effectively liberated from the bondage associated with its own
> egoic limit, whose existence itself is founded on the notion of
> separative doership.
>
> Therefore one must effortlessly realize ahambrahmasmi, shatter the myth
> of the chit-jada-granthi, and finally rest assured that Isvara is one's
> eternally faithful servant.
>
> Thus, each jiva equates to being all jivas, the world, and God.  Which,
> in turn, are only brahman.
>
> Can you say, 'ahambrahmasmi'?
> In fact, it's the only thing you *can* say!
>

Thanks for a nice post.

In my view, certainly, freedom *from choice* is the only thing. We do
                                     ------
not have a choice. We only "think" we have a choice. As TMP Mahadevan's
writing (which I admire) says "moksha is freedom from individuality;
moksha is not freedom for the individual.".

You say as part of the post above ".... As such, there is no karma made
or created by individual jiva....". I look at this from two points of
view.

I see fully that the karma theory falls apart at dawning of ultimate
knowledge. But, as long as the individual jeeva concept is there, karma
concept goes along with it. What I am saying is "we cannot say, there
is a jeeva, but there is no karma made or created,". Karma concept
rightly dies when the ego is dissolved, so that all karma (fruits of
action) go to Ishwara. But, then when the ego is not there, jeeva has
died as well (may not be physically, but mentally). At that stage, is
it necessary to say anything, even "aham brahmAsmi" ?

I come back to that sentence again ".... As such, there is no karma made
or created by individual jiva....". It is so, if we see ourselves as
followers of the script of Ishwara. But is it not also in Ishwara's
script that we see ourselves as individual jeevas ? We do not have a
choice except to follow the script.

Regards
Gummuluru Murthy
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Yadaa sarve pramucyante kaamaa ye'sya hr^di shritaah
atha martyo'mr^to bhavatyatra brahma samashnute   Katha Upanishhad II.3.14

When all the desires that dwell in the heart fall away, then the mortal
becomes immortal, and attains Brahman even here.
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