If There Is No Free Will Is There Individual Responsibility?

How can we lead our lives in a responsible way if there is no free will and everything is predetermined? Rupert says: ‘I don’t think everything is predetermined. I think God is more like a jazz musician than a classical musician. It’s improvisation. I do think there’s freedom. The nature of consciousness is freedom. Whether or not we have free will is really a moot question, because ultimately there’s no separate entity either to have free will or not, but consciousness itself is freedom. ‘At the individual level, we do feel that we have free will. I recommend that you live your life as if you had free will, and that you use your faculty of discrimination and choice to determine a course of life that is consistent with the understanding that we share our being with everyone and everything.’ *This video is from one of Rupert’s in-person retreats in Norway, 22–25 May 2025. For more information on upcoming retreats (many of which can be attended online via livestream) go to: ▸ https://rupertspira.com/events Timestamps: 0:00 Free Will 1:21 The Nature of Consciousness 2:38 Freedom in Service of Love 3:51 Responding from Love –– ACCESS FULL VIDEO ARCHIVE You can watch or listen to 1000s of hours of teachings, guided meditations and answers in Rupert's full video archive here: ▸ https://rupertspira.com/subscriptions –– RETREATS (Weekend & 7-day) Rupert holds regular retreats, roughly once per month, either in-person and online. Many in-person retreats can also be attended from the comfort of your home via livestream. ONLINE RETREAT SCHEDULE ▸ https://rupertspira.com/events/retreats-at-home IN-PERSON RETREATS SCHEDULE (UK, EU and US) (Also Available to Join Online via Live Stream) ▸ https://rupertspira.com/events –– WEEKLY WEBINARS (2 hours) Rupert's webinars take place on Wednesday evenings, from 4pm UK time. In the first twenty to thirty minutes, Rupert leads a spontaneous meditation. The remaining time is open for attendees to discuss their questions wi