Ramesh Balsekar, a renowned Advaita teacher, offers a unique perspective on the concept of free will. According to him, free will is an illusion created by the mind, which believes that it is in control of its actions and decisions.

Balsekar explains that the mind is conditioned by past experiences, beliefs, and desires. It operates based on these conditioning and makes choices accordingly. However, these choices are not truly free as they are influenced by the conditioning of the mind.

He further elaborates that the idea of free will arises from the belief in a separate individual self, which is responsible for its actions. But in reality, there is no separate individual self, and everything that happens is a result of the universal consciousness or the will of the divine.

Balsekar uses the analogy of a river to explain this concept. Just like a river flows in a particular direction due to the pull of gravity, our actions are also predetermined by the will of the divine. We may think that we are making choices and decisions, but in reality, everything is unfolding according to the divine will.

He emphasizes that this understanding of free will does not mean that we become passive and stop taking action. Instead, it allows us to surrender to the flow of life and accept whatever comes our way with equanimity. We can still make choices and take action, but without the attachment to the outcome.

Balsekar also acknowledges that the mind may resist this understanding and argue for the existence of free will. But he reminds us that this resistance is also predetermined and part of the divine will. The only choice we have is to surrender to the present moment and let go of the illusion of control.

In conclusion, Ramesh Balsekar's teachings on free will challenge our conventional beliefs and offer a deeper understanding of the true nature of reality. By letting go of the illusion of free will, we can find peace and freedom in surrendering to the divine will.