In some ways, I am very much a theological poet (and I define theology as the study of God). And in studying God, therein assuming some kind of being is worthy of being called God, what does that mean? I mean, would not one need to establish some kind of attributes for God ... that might then be intelligently discussed or debated, or explored into actual knowledge, into actual experience? 

I am afraid I have not been able to cowboy up enough to have any ABSOLUTE experience and knowledge of God; though I do very much believe I have had some rare, deep, and authentic mystical experiences in my life that have affected all my published books, and would influence any ideas for future projects and books.

I think Rumi, Hafiz, and Meher Baba all did have a oneness with God with all of Her/His divine trimmings. And I’ve been hanging out with all of the former the best I can for over 50 years now. And I seem to have the ability, and/or grace, to be able to enter into some special realm of inspired imagination when working with the poetry of Hafiz and Rumi, thus making it very charming and true, at times.

But getting back to the title of this blog: The Simple Math On Free Will. Okay, will give that a shot. To me, one of the intelligent and probably true attributes of God, or a real super duper full blown He/She/It would be infinite knowledge.

And infinite knowledge would simply be that: Infinite Knowledge; all knowing. Knowing everything.  And thus, even before any human being, or any creature was ever born, one's life, the life of any creature, would be there in the mind of Infinite Knowing. Be there in as much reality as was anything in your past, or anything in what could be thousands of details of your present circumstances right now!

Thus it seems so simple to me: free will is an illusion. But I think, a very important illusion, a crutch, if you will, that can benefit most everyone until they too finally really know, and then are incapable of harm to anyone or anything. Indeed, I think most everyone can benefit from saying something like: there is no way in hell I would ever do anything like that! And/or: I will put all of my heart into doing this good; struggling for this ideal, offering this help, etc. But that does not make free will any less of an illusion: for ALL happenings past, present and future, would be in the mind of Infinite Knowledge.

There is a playful but serious Hafiz poem-rendering about this here: 

https://www.poetseers.org/the-poetseers/hafiz/i-heard-god-laughing-hafiz/the-only-one/

That poem is titled, “The Only One.”  And noticed there are several Hafiz poems from my book, I Heard God Laughing ... that one can also clink on via this above link. 

Yeah, free will. Think that concept goes on so much, and is so needed in God 101. And in God 101 is where most everyone, most everyone wonderfully and courageously tries to rock-n-roll the very best they can. Our smallest, most simple act can at times seem to me heroic, and is really miraculous. Each of us in many ways are so brave. And so, so worthy of honor and love!

A big, big hug to all.