There is a long-standing debate about whether or not we truly have free will or if everything is pre-determined by a higher power.
Rather than enter into an absolutist debate, I like to think that in some way both things may be true. Perhaps we are brought into a pre-determined set of circumstances – i.e., where we are born, who our parents are, what our biological makeup is – and then within that framework we have free will to make choices.
In a world that often hems us in with demands and constraints, we might wonder what is the purpose of free will? It depends on what you believe about your existence here. If you believe that you are here to grow spiritually, then you might say you chose a set of circumstances in order to foster spiritual development and that the purpose of free will is to allow you to make choices to that end in the face of whatever happens to you – good, tragic or indifferent.
Do we complain about the state of things, or do we pursue action for change? Do we retaliate when we are hurt, or do we choose forgiveness? Do we run away from responsibility because it is too taxing, or do we buckle down and get the job done? Do we foster curiosity about those who are different from us, or do we recoil in fear? Are we out to accumulate as much money and as many things as we can rack up, or do we work to support a family, share our wealth with others, and enrich the world with our compassion, gifts and presence?
If you are on a purposeful soul journey, it all comes down to a pretty simple formula: consciously create intention that aligns with whatever you perceive your soul’s purpose to be and then make choices that move you into that intention.
What is your soul’s purpose? That’s a much longer discussion for another day but suffice it to say that you will know you are on the right trajectory if the choices you make are bringing you greater joy or peace as well as a sense of oneness with others and the universe itself.
