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→Karma and Volition
=== Karma and Volition ===
=== Karma and Volition ===
Karma may be taken to mean “willed action.” Will or volition is behind all actions that produce karma. The will manifests in the form of desires prompted by the stored karma. This is what happens in all karmic action. However, the mind has the ability to direct its volition bypassing desires and without the promptings from karmāśaya. Patañjali postulates the existence of a depository for all accumulated karma in one’s life. It is called karmāśaya, the receptacle of karma, produced by past actions, which remains potent to influence future action. It is the womb where desires for future action are born. In Yoga, karmāśaya is the source that generates desires, prompts behavior, and in significant ways influences one’s life now and in future. It is rooted in [[Kleshas (क्लेशाः)|kleshas]] (Yoga-Sūtras, II.2). Kleśas are the afflictions that hinder proper functioning of the mind and obstruct one’s progress toward liberation.<ref name=":15" />
Karma may be taken to mean “willed action.” Will or volition is behind all actions that produce karma. The will manifests in the form of desires prompted by the stored karma. This is what happens in all karmic action. However, the mind has the ability to direct its volition bypassing desires and without the promptings from karmāśaya. Patañjali postulates the existence of a depository for all accumulated karma in one’s life. It is called karmāśaya, the receptacle of karma, produced by past actions, which remains potent to influence future action. It is the womb where desires for future action are born. In Yoga, karmāśaya is the source that generates desires, prompts behavior, and in significant ways influences one’s life now and in future. It is rooted in [[Kleshas (क्लेशाः)|kleshas]] (Yoga-Sūtras, II.2). Kleśas are the afflictions that hinder proper functioning of the mind and obstruct one’s progress toward liberation.<ref name=":15" />
Volition is synonymous with ‘will’ and is defined as the “conscious, voluntary selection of particular action or choice from many potential actions of choices.” Western views are split between role of free will versus determinism in action. One view is that every event is totally determined by inexorable laws of nature, the other affirms that human ability to choose between a number of alternative courses of action. Another position is that of “soft determinism”; it accepts that laws of nature do determine how we behave, but leaves some room to choose among various possibilities.
A yogi exercises pure volition; actions caused by such pure volition are free from karmic consequences. According to Yogasutras, [[Chitta (चित्तम्)|chitta]] (one of the four elements of [[Antahkarana Chatushtaya (अन्तःकरणचतुष्टयम्)|antahkarana chatushtaya]]) has the latent power shakti and can exercise volition and has the capacity to reflect and react back upon itself. Such a will or volition is pure and goes beyond actions caused by subliminal samskaras (vasanas) and even actions guided by dharma. All actions or karmas prompted by accumulated previous karma or driven by dharma are channeled through the karmendriyas (sense organs). However, actions prompted by pure volition (Will) such as those of a yogi or a rishi bypass the motor system of the body. This is the significant difference between willed actions exercised by ordinary and realized people.<ref name=":15" />
A yogi exercises pure volition; actions caused by such pure volition are free from karmic consequences. According to Yogasutras, [[Chitta (चित्तम्)|chitta]] (one of the four elements of [[Antahkarana Chatushtaya (अन्तःकरणचतुष्टयम्)|antahkarana chatushtaya]]) has the latent power shakti and can exercise volition and has the capacity to reflect and react back upon itself. Such a will or volition is pure and goes beyond actions caused by subliminal samskaras (vasanas) and even actions guided by dharma. All actions or karmas prompted by accumulated previous karma or driven by dharma are channeled through the karmendriyas (sense organs). However, actions prompted by pure volition (Will) such as those of a yogi or a rishi bypass the motor system of the body. This is the significant difference between willed actions exercised by ordinary and realized people.<ref name=":15" />