Free Will and the Law

Wisdom Teachings
Essences of the Teachings

The wisdom teachings explain that all beings in creation develop according to the Law of Evolution. They emerge from the Truth; they go through the involution (descent into matter) and evolution (ascent out of matter) over huge periods of time and finally merge with the Truth again. In the case of minerals, plants and animals, evolution occurs naturally and automatically. However, this does not apply to humans.

Our evolution is not automatic, as we have free will and the related freedom. We therefore have a privilege and an additional responsibility compared to other beings. Depending on how we use our will, there is either evolution or involution or even stagnation. Man can rise to the highest spheres or destroy himself in the lowest worlds. For this reason, the history of human evolution is a history of tensions, crises and climaxes. Because of such extreme possibilities, we are encouraged to hold on to a thread of help and dedicate ourselves to a life of service to our fellow beings. Then evolution is assured.

Free will is a gift from God to us. What we call ‘God’ is a parental energy that feels great love for its children. Parents want to give their children as much freedom as they have. Only with freedom can we learn through trial and error. If our life were completely directed, it would be uninteresting.

Since God created man in his image and likeness, man is given free will. Free will is given in creation. But our free will is always bound to the Law, and it depends on whether we conform to the Law of Creation. Even before the appearance of man in creation, the Law of Rhythm already existed. Everything in nature is in rhythm. Time moves in a rhythmic order. As we tune into this rhythm, we are in harmony with creation. Free will is to be exercised in harmony with the rhythm that already exists. Although we have free will, we are to exercise this will in harmony with the rhythmic laws. When we fall out of rhythm, we begin to create our own destiny, because we are no longer living in harmony.

The more freedom we have, the more responsibility we also have. Those who take on more responsibility also have more free will. Those who enter into greater light also have more responsibility, more joy, more happiness, up to the point of bliss. Our free will is always bound by the Law.

Setting a child free within certain parameters and disciplines is an act of love, and the child is expected to behave properly. If children do not, then Nature will take control of them by creating problems. Mother Nature will either give us freedom or take it away. Freedom is not only around us, but also within us. If our nature allows us to always be happy or content, it means that we are enjoying free will in accordance with the Law. If something goes against our free will, then we suffer in terms of our feelings and thoughts, we become ill, etc. This comes from our inner Nature because we have not behaved as we should have behaved. This is the learning process.

Free will is only apparently free will, it is not really free will. If free will is seen as a favourable opportunity, we are inclined to misuse it and thus lead ourselves from health to illness. If we go to a dinner and there is a big buffet where we can take what we want, if we feel free and eat everything there is, we will feel sick tomorrow. Even though there are so many things available, our stomach can't eat everything we want. It is obvious that we have free will, but the system of Nature takes precedence.

We humans have fallen out of this system of Nature and that is why we become ill. Our body also has a rhythm; for example, a healthy person feels hunger and thirst according to a rhythm. A healthy person follows a fixed rhythm in life in terms of activity and rest. They do not neglect the rhythm when eating or during sexual intercourse. They follow the rhythm of the day and do not allow the rhythmic energy and dynamism to become a dull habit. The difference between a dull habitual routine and rhythm lies in enthusiasm. Habitual routine gives rise to the sickly thought: ‘I have to do this’, and rhythm gives rise to the healthy happy thought: ‘I like doing this’. Rhythm achieves magical results.

In Nature, there is a specific time for sunrise, sunset, noon, full moon and new moon. We also need this kind of rhythm and reliability in our behaviour. When we follow such a rhythm, we receive the magnetic vibrations of the rhythm of Nature and also the will associated with it. Nature's will is rhythmically organised and therefore has great power. We too can gain a similar power of will if we develop a good rhythm in life. In this way, we can experience the splendour of creation.

As humans, we are immortal by nature. However, when we started living on earth, we transgressed or overlooked the Laws of Rhythm as they have existed since the beginning of creation. By such transgression, we have reduced ourselves to mortals, although we are basically immortal. We all came to this planet as pilgrims. It is only because of our lack of understanding of the Laws of Creation and our inability to attune ourselves to these laws that we have become prisoners of the planet. Therefore, surrendering to the rhythm is the key to redeeming ourselves from a prisoner to a pilgrim.

In its esoteric meaning, the legend of the fallen angels contains the key to the manifold contradictions in human character. It points to the secrets of human consciousness and to the history of its development and unfolding. About 18 million years ago, sublime fiery beings called Manasa Putras (Sons of Cosmic Mind) or Agnishvattas (Lords of the Flame) in the East and Solar Angels in Western wisdom descended from higher planes. They decided to give us free will out of Love and thus accelerate our evolution. Other devas saw this as a danger, and indeed freedom has its own dangers. The rebels correspond to the Prometheus of Greek mythology as well as the serpent of biblical Genesis. Prometheus brought self-awareness to mankind as the fire of the gods. The fiery angels are seen as cosmic rebels and by some as the fallen angels.

This is not just an allegorical representation. The act of the rebels was and is a great help. They are our saviours, because through them we can now think and decide for ourselves. With self-confidence, we have the opportunity to develop and grow more quickly. Free will is a divine gift, but through lack of knowledge and misuse we create consequences and conflicts. We can use this gift for good or for evil.

Many people use the freedom of their own will for constructive purposes. However, very many use free will primarily for selfish motives in order to gain advantages for themselves or to gain power. The unskilful Will to Power tries to manipulate others, to impose one's own ideas and ways of living on them.

Many also want to do good and help others. However, they often do so according to their own idea of what is good for others. Unsolicited help is a form of aggression that goes against the free will of others. Acting with good will means acting without personal motives, thinking of the needs of others and respecting their free will.

The Masters of Wisdom respect people's free will. They allow as much freedom as each soul wants. The Masters are ready to help, but only if help is asked for. They do not impose their help. They often say: ‘We can't help you, even if we want to help you, because you don't ask for our help at the right moment.’ We should ponder profoundly on this.

If we are in a crisis and do not ask for help, no connection is made and the Hierarchy cannot reach us. The Masters are bound by the Law of Love and this Love knows what free will is. The Masters smile and wait until they are asked. They wait and wish us well. We can ask for help from the heart, with the heart.

Sources used: K.P. Kumar: Shambala; div. seminar notes; Dhanishta Publications, Visakhapatnam, India. (www.aquariusbookhouse.com).