Determinism versus Free Will

Five years ago, I shared a joke about determinism versus free will. A friend, Janelle, decided to weigh in on it and this was the conversation that ensued.

 

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Janelle: When I look at the Universe, my life, and those around me, to see it predetermined all the way through, no stops or breaks, no change of the flow, I feel like asking: then why bother incarnating? It doesn't make sense to me to have an experience if it's predetermined to a point we can ask, "well what's going to happen to me?" and we receive and answer for every slight, minute detail. I wouldn't want to live life that way. There's no learning experience in being given every answer. However, as far as a life time concerned, it's organized to have some direction. And I realize that doesn't mean that things can't change, they can. So maybe it's a bit a both. But, I agree, people should not slip into the idea that it's their DNA or something controlling them to a point where they cannot control themselves.

 

Me: I believe it's balance within too, Janelle, as well as without. It's an interaction of all things to keep us moving and growing either here, out there, or elsewhere. Even a river can be blocked, so we can, obviously, have moments of stagnation. Kind of like taking a rest or break from working.

 

Janelle: Indeed. If we didn't have a break, we'd be exhausted. 

 

Me: Absolutely.

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When I started teaching metaphysics, 30 years ago, I thought what might help explain determinism was our soul incarnating with all its prior programming. That soul DNA, along with our current physical DNA, is what we're "born with" - pre-determined. But, God's gift of free will helps us maintain or rewrite that soul/physical programming, in a new life, with our choices. The "collective" free will of cultural, social, and religious indoctrinations all help to influence our decisions.

 

Taking on the task of making over 300 soul beginning videos, on my Atomarane YouTube channel, proved it to me. Some have more deeply programmed souls than others - for numerous reasons. Also, I discovered that no one stayed completely in their beginning influences; they evolved.

 

 

Who's Really Being Greedy?

Mike Cernovich's tweet (picture) is correct.  Damned if we do and damned if we don't. I know people blame the government for all their problems. I've been guilty of it too. But we humans are our own worse enemy. We created unions to keep from being exploited but we got greedy and overly demanding. See, it's not just big corporations that can do this.

So, what's a company/farmer/rancher to do in order to stay competitive or keep prices within reason? Well, a few ideas would be 1) create right to work states, 2) promote outside impoverished country's temporary employment, and 3) hire illegals and pay them under the table with poverty wages while pretending you don't know they're illegals.

Okay, so now the government steps in and creates a minimum wage. We complain that minimum wage is too low and, eventually, companies are forced to raise them. We think we have accomplished something grand until employers downsize because of it. Something they've done every time minimum wage is raised or automation becomes part of the workplace. Oh, and unemployment checks don't last forever.

But we're so smart. We continue to undermined our "unstable employment perch" by arguing with only our hearts and not our minds. We need outside help! Forgive the illegals! They do the jobs we don't want! However, many are doing a lot of the jobs we once did. And, has it ever crossed our minds that they don't care because they're working - cheaply - maybe illegally - while we're unemployed or still living at home with our parents - because of the personnel glut on the market?  But that's okay, we'll just go on welfare. Right? How will that work out when we, eventually, kill the goose laying those golden eggs?

I can go on but I think you get the point. Hopefully.

The Trials of Balance

I've been telling people, for a long time, that I like our socialist/capitalist government system in the United States. It took many years to achieve and maintain a balance between the two. Of course, it's a continuous balancing act to maintain it. However, I read comments from people who want full on socialism/democratic socialism (meaning communism) and thought I'd share some of their feelings I've channeled.

What I feel, behind their words, are a plethora of emotions. Some are in fear of doing things on their own. They are still living in a "slave mentality" of wanting another to provide everything for them, so they don't have to think (weak-minded). Yet, like children still living at home, they are subject to the whims of the parents and whatever this authority figure dictates. That is, until the oppression overwhelms them and they finally rebel (grow up).

Also, they would rather complain about what others have, then doing the same for themselves. I sense a lot of greed as they complain about the greed of others. They want what others have, are jealous that they don't have it, but have very little drive to be competitive.

So, in totality, what I've channeled is fear, laziness, greed, jealousy and a lack of drive. They prefer complaining instead, which is similar to a child rebelling against parental rules, without understanding what the parent (authority) knows. It's that gimme-gimme mentality without knowing or caring where the money/resources are coming from or how to maintain the flow without upsetting the balance. Sadly, these aren't children who are behaving this way - they're adults.

From the other side, I pick up two major emotions. How can you still be so stupid after all we've shared regarding history and what it has taught us? How can you be so egotistical to think you can do what others have tried, yet failed - repeatedly?

I've also noticed that when one side pushes too far, there's a push back. Like it or not, apparently, it's part of our trials in maintaining balance between many things like emotion and logic or socialism and capitalism.