The Essence of Free Will: Are Your Choices Truly Your Own?

Have you ever wondered if your choices truly reflect your inner self, or if they’re shaped by the world around you?

Our Will, the driving force behind every decision, is one of humanity’s greatest gifts. On the outside, It manifests in our actions, choices and decisions; internally, it is represented by our preferences, priorities, goals, and values.

The drivers of our Will are embedded within our soul, mind and body. And these are not fixed but alive, constantly evolving with every breath and interaction with the external world. In this sense, the Will emerges from a dynamic interplay between external conditioning forces (tools such as education, culture, language, meditation practices, technology, people, exposure to nature) and internal forces that are inherent to the soul, mind, and body.

The diagram below illustrates this interplay. The arrows within the boxes represent the internal forces: the very essence of our capacity to transcend, reinterpret, and align with the external forces we encounter. These internal forces, can also be referred to as our innate disposition and natural state, are the foundation of Free Will. Choices driven by these forces are truly meaningful and unlock the full potential we are destined to achieve. Conversely, when external drivers are not aligned with these internal forces, their value diminishes.

So, here’s the critical question: are the tools we expose ourselves to strengthening or weakening our ability to make meaningful choices?

In a world of technological abundance, where efficiency, control, and instant gratification dominate, our Will is constantly shaped. Choices are narrowed, dependency is fostered, and short-term thinking is reinforced. The internal forces, those that empower reflective, aspirational, and autonomous thinking, are eroded. We see ourselves pulled away from long-term fulfillment and deep purposes.

While technology and external tools can reveal truths, their excessive adoption often presents only conditioned truths, shaped by biases and immediate objectives. Absolute truths emerge when we allow the natural course of phenomena to unfold, without manipulation and excessive intervention. This alignment is possible when the human mind permits its internal forces to prevail, shaping observations, planning, and decision-making in harmony with his intrinsic values.

Ask yourself:

? Are the external forces in your life serving you or controlling you?

? Are they helping you achieve your full potential or steering you toward impulsive, short-term, probably of lesser value, goals?

? How can you intentionally manage these influences to strengthen your true freedom?

The pitfalls of the modern world lie in:

1. The weakening of our internal forces through overwhelming external conditioning.

2. The distortion of truth by revealing only what aligns with short-term agendas.

Ou Will is precious. Protect it by curating the external forces you engage with. Align your actions with your deeper values and aspirations. Only then can your soul, mind, and body work harmoniously to unlock the full potential you were destined to achieve: a life that is not just lived but well-lived.