Free Will, Choice and Karma are Inextricable Forces
Free will is a cornerstone of Taoist practice and the 4 Ascendant Tradition. Without an understanding of why it is important, you simply will not understand Taoism. You will not succeed in the path toward spiritual enlightenment. You will not be able to acquire any reliable happiness.
The reason is very simple. We live in a choice driven universe.
Free Will is the ability to choose.  Free will states that the Tao has constructed a universe of choice in which all things, including us, must move through the flow of choice according to their own selections. Free Will is, in other words, a manifestation of divine law.
 Why does Free Will exist?
Free Will is given lip service in many religions. It is mentioned. It is acknowledged as being important. However, the behaviors that you would expect from a universe where free will is important are not developed or focused upon in most other spiritualities.
In comparison, all Taoist behavior is predicated on the idea of Free Will.
The reason for such emphasis is a simple Taoist belief (i.e. premise):Â All things are equal in the universe.
While there are some other reason-driven steps involved, free will is considered to be an outgrowth of an equal universe constructed by choice.
Tao Equality vs Social or Political Equality
Please note, the most difficult thing about understanding equality is the baggage that you will bring in from the Social sphere. Equality comes from the Tao sphere and is part of divine law. Social interpretations of equality are often incorrect.
Let me counter some of the most common misinterpretations:
+Equality does not refer to politics or social agendas. The choice to form political or social equality is something that exists within the Social sphere. It may be beneficial to humans to create such a sphere, but it has nothing to do with divine equality.
+Equal doesn’t mean fair. Again, fair is a social concept and does not work within the Tao sphere.
+Equal doesn’t mean same.
+Equal doesn’t mean that you can not be destroyed or replaced. In fact, it means the exact opposite.
Equality means that all things are equally loved by the Tao. The Tao does not regard one thing as more important than another thing simply by its existence. Equality means that everything has access to the flow of choice.
You = Ant = Star = Chair = Molecule = Wind
Understanding equality is difficult and requires several years of consistent study to fully grasp. Most of that involves letting go of social baggage so that the Tao may show you the divine law.
Warm regards,
Master Mikel Steenrod
Keeper of the Gate of Man and Heaven
www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com
P.S. Being able to grasp free will is much easier if you understand the 4 Spheres of the 4 Ascendant Tradition.
Free Will, Choice, and Karma Are Inextricable Forces
Free will is a cornerstone of Taoist practice and the 4 Ascendant Tradition. Without an understanding of why it is important, you simply will not understand Taoism. You will not succeed in the path toward spiritual enlightenment. You will not be able to acquire any reliable happiness.
The reason is very simple:
We live in a choice-driven universe.
Free Will: The Foundation of Existence
Free will is the ability to choose. Free will states that the Tao has constructed a universe of choice in which all things, including us, must move through the flow of choice according to their own selections. Free will is, in other words, a manifestation of divine law. It is not an accident. It is not a concession. It is a central, intentional design of the Tao.
Choice is not incidental to our existence. Choice is existence. Every movement, every thought, every act flows from the ability to select a direction among options presented by the Tao.
To ignore free will is to misunderstand the entire nature of life and the path of cultivation.
Why Does Free Will Exist?
Free will is given lip service in many religions. It is mentioned. It is acknowledged as being important. However, the behaviors that you would expect from a universe where free will is important are not developed or focused upon in most other spiritualities.
In comparison, all Taoist behavior is predicated on the idea of free will. Every teaching, every method, and every tool is aimed at helping the practitioner to choose better, to align more harmoniously with the Tao, and to accept responsibility for those choices.
The reason for such emphasis is a simple Taoist belief:
All things are equal in the universe.
While there are other reason-driven steps involved, free will is considered to be an outgrowth of an equal universe constructed by choice. Without equality, free will would be an illusion. Without free will, equality would be hollow.
Tao Equality vs. Social or Political Equality
Please note, the most difficult thing about understanding equality is the baggage that you will bring in from the social sphere. Equality comes from the Tao sphere and is part of divine law. Social interpretations of equality are often incorrect.
Let me counter some of the most common misinterpretations:
Equality does not refer to politics or social agendas. The choice to form political or social equality is something that exists within the social sphere. It may be beneficial to humans to create such a sphere, but it has nothing to do with divine equality.
Equal doesn’t mean fair. Fairness is a social concept and does not work within the Tao sphere.
Equal doesn’t mean same. Things can be unequal in form or capacity but equal in their essential standing before the Tao.
Equal doesn’t mean that you cannot be destroyed or replaced. In fact, it means the exact opposite. Everything that exists has the potential to transform, to end, and to re-begin — according to the consequences of choice.
Equality means that all things are equally loved by the Tao. The Tao does not regard one thing as more important than another thing simply by its existence. Equality means that everything has access to the flow of choice.
You = Ant = Star = Chair = Molecule = Wind
Each is unique, yet each is an equal participant in the living weave of existence.
Understanding equality is difficult and requires several years of consistent study to fully grasp. Most of that involves letting go of social baggage so that the Tao may show you the divine law.
Karma: The Unfolding of Choice
Karma, in the 4 Ascendant Tradition, is not punishment. It is not reward. It is not moral bookkeeping.
It is simply the natural, living consequence of choice within a free-will, choice-driven universe.
In a world where free will is fundamental, every act generates movement. Every movement shifts the flow of the Tao around it. Every choice you make shapes the next set of possibilities you will encounter.
Karma is the riverbed carved by choice.
You make a choice, and that choice shapes the lay of the land for your next choice.
The Tao does not intervene.
The Tao does not correct.
The Tao does not punish.
The Tao does not bless.
The Tao simply allows.
It allows your choices to create the environment through which you must next move.
Karma is therefore self-administered. You meet your own consequences because of your own free will. You walk into your own gardens, deserts, mountains, and storms — all of which are of your own shaping.
This is why Taoist practice emphasizes clarity, awareness, and intentionality.
Not because the Tao will punish mistakes — but because you will inhabit the consequences of your mistakes.
Free Will, Choice, and Karma: Inextricable
Thus, free will, choice, and karma are bound together:
Free will gives you the power to choose.
Choice shapes the unfolding flow of your life.
Karma is the structure that results, the immediate and ongoing consequence of your movement.
There is no escaping this structure. There is no opting out. Whether you choose consciously or unconsciously, actively or passively, you are exercising free will and generating karma at all times.
The wise practitioner does not despair at this.
The wise practitioner is empowered by this.
Every moment is a fresh opportunity to re-enter the stream of the Tao in a more harmonious way. Every action offers the chance to reshape the flow of your own life.
The Gate to Spiritual Freedom
In Taoism, particularly in the 4 Ascendant Tradition, true spiritual enlightenment is not “given” from outside. It is not a blessing awarded for obedience. It is not a fate reserved for a chosen few.
It is earned, discovered, and unfolded through wise choice.
By understanding that free will is real, that choice is fundamental, and that karma is neutral but inexorable, the practitioner learns to live consciously.
They align more deeply with the Tao.
They cease fighting the river and instead learn to navigate it with joy, intelligence, and grace.
In the end, enlightenment is not a mystery —
It is the cumulative result of a thousand choices, made in free will, accepted without fear, and refined over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is free will in Taoism?
Free will is the ability to choose your own path within a universe constructed by the Tao for that purpose. It is a fundamental aspect of existence and divine law.
How does karma work according to the 4 Ascendant Tradition?
Karma is the natural consequence of choice. It is not reward or punishment, but the unfolding environment shaped by each being's free will and actions.
What does equality mean in Taoism?
Equality in Taoism means that all things are equally loved by the Tao and have equal access to the flow of choice. It does not mean fairness, sameness, or social equality.
Does Taoism teach that karma is a punishment?
No. In the 4 Ascendant Tradition, karma is neutral. It is the natural unfolding of the environment based on the choices made by each being, without external judgment or intervention.
Why is choice so important in Taoist practice?
Choice is the fundamental expression of existence. Through choice, each being navigates the Tao, shapes their reality, and advances toward spiritual understanding and freedom.