We often deceive ourselves into thinking we live in a universe governed by free will, while evidence suggests otherwise. Our egos crave the notion of personal agency, yet numerous indicators point to the reality that we are merely playing roles in a grand performance.

Consider the many expressions we use that hint at the illusion of free will; they indicate our understanding of limited self-agency. Take, for instance, the phrase, "I forgot." What does it imply? It suggests that we lack control over the information stored in our minds. Although we might hold onto the belief of free will, we acknowledge that memory retrieval is imperfect, and we even modify our memories over time, which undermines their accuracy. We believe in controlling our thoughts, yet memory seems to operate independently, as if it's locked away from our conscious influence.

Another telling expression is, "I don’t know what I was thinking." This raises a significant question: how can we think without awareness or control over those thoughts? Often, this phrase serves as an apology or a means of justifying our actions. Even suggesting that we lack control over our thoughts reflects a deeper truth about our cognitive processes. If we concede that there are moments when we cannot manage our thoughts, what gives us the impression of control at other times?

Moving beyond language, let's examine our physical existence. Are we truly in charge of our bodies? Most people can agree that we do not control our heartbeats; it is an involuntary function. While we can influence our heart rate through conscious actions like breathing exercises, the heart predominantly beats without our intervention.

Now consider processes we cannot control at all, such as the production of white blood cells in our bone marrow. There is no evidence to suggest we can modify this rate, nor can we consciously dictate other involuntary functions like digestion or hair growth. One might argue that these examples are irrelevant to discussions of free will, as they don't pertain to actions we consciously consider. However, even our so-called voluntary actions are initiated by thoughts, and the degree of control we exert over those thoughts remains questionable.

Let’s return to the nature of thought itself. When a thought arises, did you select it? Is there a mental library from which you choose? Likely not. Instead, it may be more accurate to say that thoughts simply emerge. Our language often reflects this understanding; we say, "I had a thought," rather than "I chose a thought." This suggests a lack of control in our cognitive processes.

Given that we do not govern our bodies and our voluntary actions are preceded by uncontrolled thoughts, what then directs our lives? The answer lies in the principle of determinism, which is essentially a chain of cause and effect. For example, you received an email and, influenced by your current mindset and past experiences, chose to read this article. But did you truly "choose"? What we interpret as choice is often merely the next link in a causal chain, and in the moment, it doesn't feel autonomous. We operate on autopilot, reacting to stimuli from our environments while simultaneously believing we possess free will.

This belief in free will plays a crucial role in various religious contexts. It serves to resolve the dilemma of evil within the framework of a benevolent deity. The question arises: how can an all-powerful God permit evil to exist? The conventional explanation is that God allows evil to grant us the freedom to choose to love Him. However, could the answer be simpler? Religious phrases suggest a deeper truth: “The Lord works in mysterious ways” or “It’s God’s will.” Each faith, in essence, points to a will greater than our own, advising us to align with it for a more fulfilling existence.

This concept resonates with Eastern philosophies as well, where the belief is that the more we resist the natural order or divine will, the greater our suffering. The wisdom across cultures often reflects the same idea: relinquish control and embrace acceptance.

Is it possible that deep down, we recognize the deterministic nature of our universe? The struggle against this reality may lead to unnecessary suffering. Major world religions, through their teachings, encourage us to surrender the illusion of control.

Imagining a world where determinism is widely acknowledged could transform our understanding of human experience. None of us chose our circumstances—our birthplace, gender, or socioeconomic status. These factors shape our identities, yet we often attribute our positions in life to personal choices, failing to recognize the role of chance and circumstance.

As we navigate life, our bodies operate autonomously, driven by instincts and biological needs. We react to stimuli based on our evolutionary history, often believing we are making conscious decisions. However, upon reflection, we realize that our lives are largely reactive, shaped by the contexts we find ourselves in.

If determinism were accepted as mainstream thought, perhaps we could let go of divisive notions of superiority among races, genders, and nations. Individuals facing hardship are not simply those who made poor choices; they are navigating a different trajectory, influenced by their unique set of circumstances.

In the words of Rumi: > “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about.”

Peace.