Is control an illusion?

Question

What does control mean? We are all trying to control our lives, to live our own dreams...They say control is an illusion...what does this mean?

Answer 1

I think it is a self developed concept, that we have about ourselves, stemming from our ideas of what we feel we are. This concept can be a cage, or control, because we may not allow ourselves freedom to venture out, in fear that we are not as we hope to be.

Answer 2

Absolutely. I believe so anyway. I think control is an illusion because it is only something that others allow to happen. Like followers. Examples to me are The president, the military, the mafias, a school bully, a teacher, cult leaders, etc. The control is only formed by those who allow it. For some reason we feel comfortable having some sort of god, or leader. That leaves the opening for the illusion of control.

Answer 3

Control is just as much a reality, as it is an illusion. You control a car. You control a tv. You can control YOUR life to a degree, but you can not control life itself. There are too many factors that come into play. You can control how much you learn, how healthy you eat, but you can't control if a employer gives you a chance at a job, or if you get struck by a lightning bolt. Sure you can do/say things to favour you in a interview, but the choice is still someone else's...

Answer 4

Control is not an illusion. It is what you do when you are driving or walking or typing on your keyboard. Or even talking. YOu control your tongue and lips to make the correct sounds so you can communicate. You do not control the entire world or other people. But you do control yourself. Nothing is any good (like the food you make) without control. Like turning off the fire before it burns. Nothing will succeed without quality control. You have lots of control in your daily life. Like where you put each foot in order to move...sideways, forward, left or right. Control is how you live your life to get what you want.

Answer 5

Total control is non-existent.
You can't explicitely control what happens in your life. You can't control everything that happens to you. You can't control how you feel or how other people feel.
What you can do, however, is direct your life through your actions. You can direct what may happen to you by the directions you choose to take in life. You can be selective in what you say and perhaps encourage someone else to think differently.
In the bible it is called 'free will'. Theoretically if we are all born with an intended purpose we still have the choice to direct ourselves down a different path. In that sense we may have the slightest bit of control over our destinies.

Answer 6

it is only an illusion towards the things outside of your control when you believe you can still control it.

Answer 7

We have a very small amount of control to the extent that we can control what we desire. But beyond that, namely the fulfillment of our desires, we are not in control. We are riding in these material bodies witnessing the actions of material nature controlling to fulfill our desires. This is stated in the Bhagavad-gita as follows: "The spirit soul bewildered by the influence of false ego thinks himself the doer of activities that are in actuality carried out by the three modes of material nature."

We are now in material consciousness and think that our identity is the material body that covers us. In this illusion we think that because the body works according to our desire we are in control of the body. In reality it is the material nature under the direction of the Supreme Lord that is in control of the material nature, including our bodies. The Lord is seated in our hearts witnessing our desires and directing the material energy to fulfill our desires. This happens so instanteously and seamlessly that we think we are the doer and in control of our bodies. If the body was to become paralyzed somehow, then our control of the body would be easily seen as illusory.

Answer 8

No matter what you do, there will always be outside influences that shape your life. At the same time, you can take steps to minimize the damage these influences have by the way you live your life. Or you can ignore societies rules, live your life according to how you want, but this does not mean you won't suffer the consequences of society.

Answer 9

It could have infinite meaning I suppose. It would depend on how you look at it. Many people feel things are predestined, which would definitely mess with your control. I find that the less I try to control things, the more smoothly they seem to go.

Answer 10

Your answer depends on the gradient of consideration. If you mean in broad, no. But don't be surprised if you fail. It's the little things that get you. If you mean in fine detail, yes. We are a part of space-time and the warp and weave will not allow us choice, a prime requisite for control.