It seems the only free will there is, is the choice between resting in identity or Conscience. The rest is the work of those.
With "a" as condition, "b" comes to be... How depressing is this view of fatalism to think that everything is conditioned. I like to think that we can at least choose to end our suffering by not allowing craving and clinging to develop. I wonder what Jhananda and the other arahants think?
Well put, Michel.
Wait a second. This seriously needs to be addressed. Someone please tell me "No, this is not how it is, because of this and this and this" or say "Yes, this is also true in my experience." There is going to be a lot of failure due to language, but I will try my best to explain this.
"We are awareness", yes? Our awareness has capacity to be aware of everything (Union with God), or just one thing (union with a human body). What we are aware of will be provided potential--or in the case of Union--pure potential; "Life." But we don't actually choose how things progress, ALMOST like how God doesn't choose. We have influence by means of what our awareness rests with, and therefor potentiates, but we don't make a choice.
It's just awareness, "Life", potential. This is what I mean by "Being Dhamma" or "being conscience" (NOT consciousness). Ultimately, we are just awareness/potential, either narrowing in on any kind of thing or sensation--such as this case with an awareness occupying a physical or spiritual body--and that thing or sensation then grows. Or we are the Transcendental all-seeing awareness feeding pure potential "Life" to all of existence via awareness of it (which would be Union.)
That's as best I can put it into words, and poorly so. Is this incorrect? Because it doesn't feel like it, and my experiences continually re-affirm it. At least someone help me put it into words better without watering it down.