Is there such a thing as choice?

Stephen Wolinsky is one of the few living direct disciples of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. In this "Enquiries" series he gives answers to some of the basic questions arising to seekers on their path.

He is the founder of Quantum Psychology and Post Deconstruction and the author of 14 books. Stephen Wolinsky work can be found at www.NetiNetiFilms.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• yoga
• meditation
• consciousness
• advaita
• vedanta
• Nisargadatta
• Maharaj
• Stephen
• Wolinsky
• non-duality
• Enlightenment
• Quantum

[zthetha]

Wolinski seems to be getting a bad press which I think it not really deserved. Compared to the vast majority of titles out there purporting to 'have the answer' he seems more on track than most. This stuff is impossible to talk about as it is beyond language and all mental constructs - and I think anyone who makes a workmanlike stab at disseminating the basic notion deserves respect - especially from those who see their illusory 'selves' as being more enlightened.

[nowbellhere]

Is the "flow of the ocean" part of the illusion?

[nowbellhere]

Does the ocean of consciousness have choice?

[DRIODBOY]

I think none of us have chioce. Just an opinion, but, i think every single atom has a set path based on laws of physics, the laws we know and ones we dont. Our minds are basicly celular computers that process information. Our so called choices are just based off every memory and experience we have ever had. People talk about free will, but is it? Everything comes down to the laws of physics and they cannot be bent by the mind or conciousness. We are just an arrangement of atoms .

[ShaolinHero1]

The SELF is not part of anything, it is before ANY-THING. It is NO-THING

[illustratordk]

A droplet of water doesn't have free will to decide where to go.

Therefore you don't have any free will to decide where to go.

Great fucking logic.

Unilke a droplet of water however. I have a brain and two legs, and the common sense to tell bullshit from rational thought.

This guy talks bullshit, but with great enough conviction to fool the weak of mind.

Confuse the fuck out of people and claim that you know the answers and the sheep will come :D

[Alexknobsob]

The skin-suit movie.

[petrocalypsenow]

The fear of humanity losing value only affects those with an inflated view of humanity's importance. The reason religions tell us that we have some kind of "innate value" or puspose is probably just to keep us all from going crazy. But the truth is we're not important. No more so than a drop of water in the ocean. However, that said, I suppose if you look at the ocean as an accumulation of individual drops then maybe we have just a little importance. But not much.

[Knossos22]

The conclusion is crap! This is just determinism and argument by analogy. Destructive religions are built on this kind of claptrap. The dividing lines between self and collective are among the principle problems of civilization. The solution advocated here seeks to solve these problems by depriving individuality. The "I" looses interest, because the "I" is extinguished in the argument. This is a nihilistic philosophy that devalues humanity by devaluing individuality.

Why do anything?

[petrocalypsenow]

When you eliminate the division between self and Self, the notion of "free will" also goes away.

[No3Patriot]

@jobedied Yes, he does come up with some good points- points he does not allow you comment on without his approval.