Revisiting the Garden of the Mind: Free Will, Karma, and the Seeds We Sow

In past discussions, we’ve explored the relationship between free will and the patterns of our thoughts and actions. This time, we’re revisiting the concept through the lens of How Yoga Works by Geshe Michael Roach, a book that ties yoga philosophy to the metaphor of seeds.

The book uses the imagery of seeds to explain how our actions plant impressions in the mind, which later grow into the circumstances of our lives. While this process might seem automatic, free will acts as the gardener, offering us the power to nurture, uproot, or replant as needed.

This blog builds on our past discussions and offers a fresh perspective on how the seeds philosophy deepens our understanding of free will and intentional living.

Seeds, Karma, and How We Shape Our Reality

In How Yoga Works, seeds symbolize karma, the cause-and-effect chain created by our thoughts, actions, and intentions. These seeds, once planted, grow into the mental and emotional patterns that shape our lives.

Roach’s narrative reminds us that these seeds, whether positive or negative, don’t sprout randomly. They are influenced by past actions, the environment, and conscious effort.

Past actions determine the starting conditions of our current circumstances. The choices we made in the past have already taken root.

The environment we create in our lives determines which seeds thrive. Our habits, relationships, and daily routines either support growth or reinforce patterns we may want to change.

Conscious effort plays a crucial role in deciding how we tend to these seeds. Awareness and intentional action allow us to cultivate the seeds that align with our values and uproot those that no longer serve us.

If left unattended, seeds grow on autopilot, often reinforcing habits or patterns that keep us stuck. This brings us to the key question: Do we let life happen, or do we consciously shape the garden of our mind?

Free Will: The Gardener’s Role in Shaping Our Future

Free will in this context isn’t about controlling every seed already planted but about choosing how we engage with them. How Yoga Works illustrates that even challenging circumstances can be transformed through intentional action.

Awareness is the first step. Free will begins with recognizing the seeds that are already growing. Are they weeds of resentment or flowers of gratitude? Awareness allows us to see the impact of past choices without judgment and take ownership of what’s next.

Nurturing positive seeds requires intention. Seeds of kindness, patience, and generosity flourish when given attention and care. Free will allows us to prioritize these seeds, creating the conditions for them to thrive.

Uprooting negative patterns is a conscious choice. Negative habits and thought patterns may feel deeply ingrained, but free will empowers us to stop reinforcing them. While uprooting these weeds takes effort, the decision to do so transforms the garden.

Planting new seeds happens with every thought, action, or intention. Acts of compassion and mindfulness today create the foundation for peace and abundance tomorrow.

The Dynamic Between Karma and Free Will

The seeds philosophy highlights a balance between karma and free will.

Karma sets the stage. The seeds of the past often determine the starting conditions of our lives. These may feel automatic or predetermined.

Free will writes the script. Even if we can’t control the seeds already planted, we can choose how to engage with them, deciding which ones to nurture and which ones to replace.

This interplay is a recurring theme in yoga philosophy and echoes the teachings of the Yoga Sutras: while life may present challenges, our response determines the outcome. The Yoga Sutras remind us that “future suffering can be avoided.” Through awareness and conscious action, we can redirect the course of our lives.

How to Cultivate Your Mental Garden: Practical Steps

If you’re inspired by How Yoga Works and want to use free will to tend your mental garden, here are some actionable steps.

Observe without judgment. Begin with mindfulness. Notice your thoughts and emotions as they arise, and ask yourself, “What seed am I watering right now?”

Set daily intentions. Take a few moments each morning to choose a seed you want to nurture that day. It might be patience, gratitude, or kindness.

Respond instead of reacting. When negative seeds like anger or fear begin to sprout, pause. Use free will to decide whether to water them or let them wither through non-engagement. Awareness is half the battle.

Reframe challenges as growth opportunities. In How Yoga Works, even difficult situations are seen as opportunities to cultivate understanding and compassion. When faced with challenges, ask, “What seed can I plant here?”

Practice consistency. Gardens don’t flourish overnight. Regular effort, through meditation, reflection, or intentional action, creates lasting transformation.

Conclusion: Building on the Past to Shape the Future

The seeds philosophy, as explored in How Yoga Works, is a reminder that while our past actions shape the soil of our lives, our free will determines what grows.

This blog offers another layer to a concept we’ve touched on before, showing how free will allows us to consciously engage with the seeds of karma. Whether by nurturing flowers or uprooting weeds, the choice is always ours.

Take a moment to reflect. What thoughts and actions are you nurturing today? Are they leading you toward growth or reinforcing old patterns? The choice is always yours. Share your reflections below—I’d love to hear how you apply this wisdom in your own life.

Always remember to JUST BREATHE!

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