Dear friend AniccaSeeker🌷
Sympathy and compassion for you concerning feeling lonely. It is something the most followers of the Dhamma in 2026 have to go through. We can remember it’s better to be lonely while walking on the right road than having friendly company while walking on the wrong road.
Concerning free will vs predestination.
Some humble constructive thoughts. This is probably similar to the kinds of tricky questions which were asked of the Holy Buddha: Is the universe finite or infinite? Is the body and the self one thing or not one thing? Does the Buddha exist after passing away or does he not exist after passing away? …etc…
In morality, philosophy, western religion or eastern religion, there is a big variety of ideas about the topic of free will. As a youngster, I just did what I wanted to do (no-idea). Then I became a Christian (predestined), then Daoist (free), then Hindu (both), then Non-dualist (neither). ☺️
Perhaps it is just another attempt for a human being to try to find permanent happiness for himself/herself. This is of course ignorant of anicca, dukkha and anatta. This ignorance will lead on to making kamma. To stop and say, ‘But who is making it? Is it my will or is it God’s will or is it the universe or is it fate?’ Mmm… Not useful. Not skillful. Insight is useful and skillful. Insight like what Venerable Lal is sharing on this wonderful website.
May all escape from unskillfull ways of thinking.
Namo Buddhaya 💛
