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Predetermination is possible but goes against currently known quantum physics, where it’s been mathematically proven that hidden variables (deterministic factors we haven’t yet discovered) cannot be behind quantum phenomena. The implication is that true non-determinism, or pure ‘randomness’, does indeed exist. And since our brains are quantum computers, I think that implies our thoughts and hence actions are not all 100% predetermined.

However, I know from experience that a lot of our lives is indeed predetermined — either due to destiny/karma or choice at a higher level, or due to the usual physical deterministic factors like genetic defects or being born into bad circumstances or maybe being born into Nagasaki a month before the bomb.

I’ve experienced negative forces being able to see my upcoming future, but I’ve also been able to become aware of them being aware of it, and then applying my awareness through sheer willpower and foresight to not take the route that was, prior to this point, the predetermined and most probable outcome. In other words, I changed the future. It was only possible by becoming aware of it. Awareness of something is what opens choice. Without sentience, there is no freewill.

So based on my experiences, I would say that our lives take place in the fractal zone between physical determinism (material causality) and metaphysical determinism (fate, karma, the will of higher forces). Even if our lives are 99% deterministic, it’s that 1% that makes things interesting. It reminds me a bit of the train system. Trains run on predetermined tracks. The train operator merely chooses to switch tracks here and there and control the speed/timing. And yet, somehow that makes for an interesting system that isn’t completely deterministic.

I would also add, that you are free to change your thoughts/feelings/beliefs and thereby change the probabilities of what external circumstances you move into. Therefore if time and place is the most valuable asset, you can indeed influence this at the quantum level through the reality-creation / mind-over-matter phenomenon. Not instantly, not completely, but partially and over a variable amount of time, and that’s basically changing the map or terrain of your existence.

Tom Montalk

http://montalk.net/about/143/e-mail-qa