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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.
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.
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.
