How Fate Relates To Free Will Pt. 2 - Does Intention Affect Karma, Can Free Will Triumph Over Ignorance, and Can One Who Is Unconscious Choose To Become Aware?

by Robert Wilkinson

Yesterday, I gave you some ideas about the choice all Beings have regarding whether to be abusive or not, to become conscious rather than unconscious, and the difference between innocent ignorance and willful ignorance. Today we'll continue by examining Divine Will versus ego-will, the nature of the mind and choice, and our ability to learn how to become more conscious in the moment.

Even if you've already read part one, you may want to re-read it before continuing with this one, since these two were composed as one piece.

To reiterate a primary point, any lack of awareness of how to be or not be as we move through life experience arises from two sources. One is innocent ignorance, the other is willful ignorance. When we are innocent we all get at least one pass, since we literally “know not what we do.” However, after we've been shown a different way, a higher or more thoughtful or compassionate example from any source whatsoever, then we are no longer innocent.

Even if a Being is only marginally able to glimpse for one instant a different way, it puts the responsibility of choice on them, and them alone. No one else can choose for them, and no one else can choose to set aside abusive or ignorant behaviors and replace them with helpful and aware behaviors. Again, this is the Third Eternal Truth as found in Light On the Path.

Once we have seen a better way and choose to follow a rationalized desire into abusive behavior, or obsolete responses, or willful misdirected actions, that is ego-will. Someone in this state is choosing to follow a desire, and yet they still have the power to grow beyond that desire any time they choose.

Ego-will arises when desire has been awakened. Where there is desire, there is subsequent experience leading to combinations of pleasure and pain, and in each the being chooses which way to continue. They are no longer innocent.

If a Being chooses to ignore a life-altering event, or even a chance to take a higher road because of someone else's example, they are making a conscious choice, even if they are unconscious they are making such a choice. Any being can change their behavior, even if they are unconscious, simply by paying attention to examples of better behavior going on all around them.

When a Being chooses to remain ignorant despite signals that could awaken them to better ways, they will continue in whatever patterns they are attached to, whether abusive or just continuing to be whoever they were before the event. I have observed that Spirit sends us all signals of how we can best evolve every day, whether we notice them or not. When we notice and choose not to grow, ego-will is manifesting. This is where the nature of human wiring provides us the clues to understand just how much choice we really have.

As we explored in the article Knowing The Qualities of the Higher and Lower Mind Helps Us Deal With Life Challenges and Master Our Responses posted a few days ago, we have a Higher Mind and a lower mind. Each of these has a strong pole and a weak pole.

To recap, the lower mind's weak pole is reason and its strong pole is desire. That's why any desire can be reasoned out, including the desire to hurt another or refuse to grow despite all signals that it's time to give up abusive behaviors and attitudes.

The Higher Mind's weak pole is intellect. That's why intellect alone is not strong enough to give up a desire that's been reasoned out, including the desire to stay willfully ignorant. When it's time to choose a different way of living and a being desires the same patterns, that's willful ignorance that has been consciously or unconsciously chosen by ego-mind.

The Higher Mind's strong pole is the only solution to the lower mind's malfunctioning. The strong pole is Will, in the sense of Spiritual Will. When we apply our Spiritual Will in any moment, old ways are transcended immediately, and the desire mind and its rationalizations lose their hold on us.

As I pointed out in that article, this is where we hit the rub of evolution itself, since energy being energy, it can be used for good or ill even when a being is working from their Higher Mind as they see it. An evil magician and good magician both want to be good at what they do, and use the same tools and energies, but the former uses it for ego gratification while the latter uses it for the service of humankind.

In a historical example, the Nazis believed they were agents of divine Will to better the race. They were operating off their sense of what their "higher mind" dictated, even though it was actually rationalized misguided ego separateness focusing the energy of ego-will in extremely cruel and abusive ways.

This is why motive and intention don't matter when we’re examining and evaluating conscious or unconscious hurtful actions and ego-willfulness. Hitler thought he was doing the human race a favor by eliminating all he deemed "lesser" genetic stock. Does that excuse his willful actions? If we allow unconsciousness as a defense for abusive behavior and refusal to grow into a more humane existence, then we give Hitler a justification for his inexcusable actions.

In another example closer to home, war criminals in leadership positions may have believed that torture helped us avoid our potential to suffer in the future, but however unconscious, this is also willful chosen behavior. The fact that a torturer can rationalize all kinds of hurtful behaviors while remaining deliberately obtuse regarding the insanity of their actions is no excuse for those actions.

The Lords of Karma take no note of intention, only actions and results of those actions. The fact that someone is ignorant of the hurtful results of their actions is no excuse, since on subconscious levels they are entirely aware of the larger feeling field in which we all live, breathe, and have our Being. This is why all beings are totally responsible for what they do and do not do, regardless of their seeming inability to grow and move forward into less hurtful behavior.

The dividing line between ego-will and Divine Will is as sharp as a razor's edge, and leads to death or life. Each chooses in the moment based in their acceptance or avoidance of the higher lessons being taught.

All beings are capable of awakening, without books or people or any other thing. We were shown that for all time by the example of Buddha, who found that life is about suffering, that suffering arises from ignorance and attachment, and that we can end suffering without needing a teacher through practicing the 8-Fold Path.

If a being chooses not to practice those 8 ways of living, then they will surely suffer at some point. Then they either choose to end suffering, or in their suffering try to find others who also suffer to justify their suffering, or perpetuate their suffering by taking it out on another. These all involve choices.

Ignorance is no excuse for one who has been offered the cup of life. Either they drink of life, or they choose to stay lost in death. No one who is on Earth must suffer from ignorance. Any who ask will be given what they need to learn to grow.

Up to now we have not dealt with the factor of conscience, that indwelling sense of what is true, good, and beautiful cultivated over the ages of many lifetimes. Each being has a conscience that allows them to know what is higher, and what is lower.

No one is unaware of their conscience except for psychopaths and those with organic brain dysfunctions. Since this only factors in for a small percentage of the human race, it remains that most people have a conscience cultivated over countless lifetimes, and thus have a reference point, if only in subconsciousness, to know what they should and should not do.

That means all beings have the ability to perceive, consciously or unconsciously, a "better way to be," and thus are capable of change any time they want. While self-consciousness may be clouded by desires and illusions, subconsciousness is always beholding superconsciousness, or Spirit. There is no separation on that level. The only thing that thinks it's separate is ego mind, and that too is an illusion.

The entire universe is always sending us signals. It is up to us to pay attention to Spirit, and not stay lost and distracted by illusions, desires, avoidance and attachments. These may be afflictions of the mind, but it is our task, each moment we are alive as sentient beings, to antidote these afflictions.

Each of us are given many opportunities throughout life to grow in awareness of self, others, and the larger life in which we live, breathe, and have our being. We each choose to accept these growth opportunities or ignore them at our peril.

All beings have the opportunity to choose to awaken at any given moment in their life if they pay attention to the life around them. Since the evolutionary process itself always offers us new truths, we always have a choice to "see it differently." There is never a time or circumstance where we are prevented from moving from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, and from death to immortality.

The light is always there, impossible to ignore or forget, even for those who are ignorant. That's why we always have the power to choose to awaken to a more "enlightened" way of doing our Being.

Those who ask shall receive. Be clear, demand a revelation, and you will get one. Because you are inherently one with All-That-Is, you may know whatever you desire to know, and become more than you ever imagined.

Copyright © 2010, 2015 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[sue]

Successful so far Those Powers That Be
To the huge hole in the Soul of humanity...
IMAGINE if you could eavesdrop on GOD and Mother Earths tea-time chats?

[Sherry]

What a beautiful and inspiring article!

Thank you, Robert.

Also, I like how clear and easy to understand you make concepts which previously had always dissolved into fuzz in my mind.

[Nic]

Brilliant two pieces. You shine through your astrological craft but you are also a master at explanining the deeper teachings.
With gratitude,
Blessings be to all

[Ianna]

I concur with the previous posters! :) Once again, perfectly timed, as well.

Thank you for the beautiful light that you shine.

[Maggie]

When one was a subject of "abusive behavior, obsolete responses, or willful misdirected actions". Grew through it. Transformed and opened to higher mind. But even if this one is very thankful for the given opportunity to become who is today, refuses to allow the "abuser" back, as recognizes patterns or want to avoid this patterns. Does that mean the one does not forgive and is operating from lower ego-will? Because it is already absolute concious ignorance. Or it is higher will?

[Harak Gonz]

Wow what insights! I am in tears

[caliban]

I tried to discuss the elephant in the room on a few ocassions when the abuser was being so blatantly abusive. And everyone else fell silent. Why is this being allowed? Why did they all go so silent. No sense trying to rationalize it I suppose. Makes sense. They must have understood that. Finally, my father tells me on his deathbed, I want you to know I just didn't want her to cry. Say what? Look at the mess she created I was thinking. Couldn't say it, let the guy die in peace and all. So I am on this job with this abusive person. People are crying. They go to voice their concern with the team leader. They all tell me the same thing. The TL says she's working on it, even though there is no sign of improvement. They also tell me every time the TL talks to her about it she cries. So she is really a very tender person under that rough exterior. Say what? The TL actually buys the tears? Oh well, works for some I guess. Lesson learned. And now I know, there is no rationalizing abuse. It's just nuts. Okay, ignorance. It doesn't have to make me nuts.

[Robert]

Hi all - Thanks for checking in with your comments.

Hi Maggie - I'm of the school that has come to accept that true forgiveness can only begin when the abuse stops. We are allowed to refuse abusive patterns that are corrosive to our personality and damages the ability of Soul to express itself in a natural way. To be able to choose a nonviolent response to abusive behavior and people is demonstrating one aspect of Spiritual Will. Spirit is free to express itself any way appropriate to that inspired impulse.

While we may be relatively unconscious about what is moving within us to choose a more loving way of life and relating, that ultimately has less to do with the object of our love and more about the love that we ARE, where we choose not break the link between pain and suffering.

Spiritual Will serves the greater good, while ego-will serves the separate self. Protecting oneself from abusive people and events would seem to serve a greater good.

Hi caliban - Because each chooses fear or courage in every such event, and many learn as children to shut up and bear the shame of silent approval of the abuse. Why approval? Because each opportunity we have to refuse abuse needs to be taken. As a child, I learned it was better to exercise courage and intelligence in standing up to bullies and take my lumps rather than hang my head in silent shame.

Sorry your father was a coward. I know well the shame many older ones have at their own abusive behavior, and their condoning of another's abusive behavior.

Crying is often a calculated defensive tool for abusers. They become practiced in whining, crying, and other forms of self-pity and feelings of being abused themselves. That deflects the focus away from their behavior, and seeks to place it on others to avoid addressing the problem. That's why all psychopaths and abusers point fingers at what everyone else is allegedly doing or not doing that makes them "just as bad" as the abuser. Classic blend of denial, displacement, and projection.

In my past, when someone in a work situation went into a pity party when it was time to discuss their behavior, I usually told them "I'm sorry you feel that way, but we really need to fix (...) so that (...) works better for the benefit of the (team, whole, friendship, relationship, etc.)" And then ask them what they think needs to be done. Pull them out of manipulated emotions and into the idea of what needs to be done for the benefit of the project.

I've also used the same tactic when dealing with TLs who weren't able to figure out how to deal with emotional manipulators. The best way to deal with these things is to remind the manipulator that "it's not about you. It's about the work." Keep the focus on the idea, redirecting them away from the power of manipulated emotions. As a former TL myself in various situations, I found that keeping it impersonal and focused on the work, the goal, or the good of the team always frustrated selfish, ego-driven manipulators.

[caliban]

What I am left with is the cutting off of people, keeping people apart. When I sense the isolating factor, that's when I panic.

The abusive child, she did something really really bad that ended even worse for another sibling. Like ended the sibling. In hindsight, it was a careful game my father played to protect his other children the best he could. The crying would have led to vengeance. You would never expect it from such a fine upstanding citizen as she.

He did make some hard held rules after the incident. I always wondered why he was so strict. You see the thing happened before I got here and was not made known to me until a few years ago. And then it all made sense. But the rules, well, they just might have saved my life. Still I can never trust just how far the abuser will go.

[caliban]

Robert, I want to thank you for this. It is up to the individual to wake up. Up to me. Up to the abuser. I can't change the abuser. I can't make the person understand how I feel and I can't even explain to the person why I can't be involved with her anymore. Someone mentioned forgiveness. I can't even do that. There is nothing to forgive. It was all destructive, negative, void. There is nothing there to forgive. It is a burden lifted. I got into thinking about all of it again today. Reasoning did not work. It was just crazy to me. And thinking about it, crazy making.

[Skorp]

I agree that abusees do not need to forgive.

In my opinion, abuse, as a dynamic embedded in human and organizational systems, gets passed down through generations via individuals. It thereby becomes the responsibility of said-abusive individuals to correct it.

When a person defies the call to end abusive patterns, then that person is complicit in the planetary madness perpetrated by humans. Why should I forgive the abusive individual? He/she has shirked his divine duty. While I may harbor anger and resentment towards the abuse and the its perpetrator, I work through it in my own way, "letting it go" every time it crops up in my psyche. But forgiving the abuser? What does that new age doublespeak even mean? I find the whole modern concept of "forgiving the abuser" to be just another clever and cunning lie, one that keeps people down, in their place, in servitude to abuse.

The only way to REALLY forgive so that a difference can finally be made in this mad mad world is for the whole community to come together and rehabilitate the abuser. I am not a community.

Therefore all you psychopaths out there who get a pass because you don't have a "conscience" can kiss my ass. And that goes doubly for those who supposedly do have a conscience!

[Robert]

Hi Caliban - That's why I'm clear that sometimes we must say goodbye to people who have become hurtful. I am writing a section of a new book that specifically deals with transcending childhood wounds. It's the blessing Saturn brings to all of us who strive to come out of victimization consciousness. We are never apart from our friends and always have the chance to make more friends.

Of course you're welcome. We all have to awaken to patterns of abuse, so we can consciously refuse to perpetuate those in the future. Crazy making is a clear sign that it's time to get some distance. And as I said, I believe that true forgiveness begins when we walk away from the abuse, and refuse to be abused any longer. They may or may not get whatever, but once we're at a distance from the sources of abuse, we are free to let it all go without reproach or recrimination. Blessings, walk on, move into a better future of our choosing, and learn from the experience.

Hi Skorp - I agree that those who learn patterns perpetuate those patterns until they choose new ones. Most abusers were abused. That doesn't excuse the abuse, but at least we're clear it's pretty much a learned behavior. Of course, there are psychopaths out there, and we must learn to spot them and avoid any contact with them to the degree that's possible.

That's why true forgiveness isn't about them, it's about us choosing to walk on and free ourselves from the abuser, the abuse, and even the parts of us that led us to that situation to begin with, as well as the parts of us that chose to stay in that situation for as long as we did. Forgiveness begins at home, when we see a truth and know it's time to claim our freedom not to be abused.

As for rehabilitating the abuser, well, that's only possible to the degree that the abuser cooperates in the cure. The Prime Directive and all that. If someone chooses to remain deliberately and willfully ignorant when they see a better, kinder way to be, then they cannot be rehabilitated, and we must put distance between us and them.

Most psychopaths are very unstable, self-serving, and dangerous. They don't "get a pass," but we indulge them at our risk. And while they do ultimately have a conscience, they tend not to listen to it, so it doesn't factor into their behavior. Mostly it's their delusional desire mind and limbic system that dominate their choices, which is why they are somewhat indifferent to the effect of their behavior on others, unless they take pleasure from the strong emotions aroused by the abuse. Again, very dangerous people. Keep them at a distance and have nothing to do with them.

[caliban]

The abuser people are so good at it. Good at getting back in. It's what they do. The motis operandis. Am experiencing futile attempts at this time. At least I can see it for what it is. I would like to not have contact with any more abusers. I suppose my hope is that clearing this biggy from my life (invader in personal day to day life), seeing it for what it is, would clear my space of that element. I need to be able to identify them sooner elsewise. There is really only myself to forgive for putting up with it out of some sort of weird familial 'obligation' principle.

[caliban]

And Skorp, I do appreciate the kiss my ass comment. People continually make excuses for them.

[Maggie]

Last week, at the time when I was writing a reply to the thread seems the grand irrationality, scorpio new moon or God knows what turned the switch on and all lunatics (that's my own term for "abusers") were at once activated. Plus I woke up with a stolen bike. The fact is, I stayed totally detached and unemotional. None of the deeds touched me. And I knew the last door was closed. But! I find kind of irritating that would appear people who blame the decision the "abuser/s" to be avoided and cut off. They would insist the peace between all to be restored because we're blood and blood has to be accepted as it is and all destructive behavior, envy and negativity forgiven. Peace? I'm in absolute peace. What I learned is that blood does not mean anything and learned who is my real family. All the irrational events from last week showed that abuse can come in different forms. Even in the form of "love".
Now I read Caliban saying "the abuser people are so good at that. Good at getting back" Yes! I don't understand this obsession to return to your life. And are so good getting dry out of the self created mess. Clean and shiny as an Angels. While everyone else is the monster. :)