Who or What is Driving?

Note: (A deep-dive conversation of this post, courtesy of Notebooklm follows)

In a recent trip to Phoenix to visit our youngest son, I had my first experience with a driverless car. Waymo, which operates its autonomous ride-hailing program in both San Francisco and Phoenix, offered me a glimpse into the future of transportation. As a technology enthusiast, I was captivated by the realization of this remarkable feat: software and hardware working in tandem to safely navigate traffic. Such innovation emerged from an immense database of real-world driving scenarios—each one logged, studied, and woven into a system that now charts its own course on the road.

When the Waymo car pulled up, it pinged my phone to unlock the passenger doors.  Once inside the vehicle, there was a safety announcement, with emphasis on not “touching the steering wheel.” And then we were off!  The feeling was a mix of excited fascination and trepidation. The latter occurred when it made a left turn in front of an oncoming car, a bit closer than I would have (but admittedly I’m a senior driver… lol). I arrived at my destination safely, and gratefully.  I would have tipped the driver, but …

Later, I couldn’t help reflecting on how that ride mirrored our desire for control over our lives. We assume we’re in the driver’s seat. Then, when things veer from our plan, we wonder: Who or what is actually “behind the wheel” of my life? Empirically, we can point to cause-and-effect for some happenings. Philosophically, it’s far less linear, suggesting a hidden dimension—a mystical “third factor,” if you will. Some might label it God’s will, fate’s fickle finger, or simply “life on life’s terms.”  Regardless of how we might arrive at a conclusion of why life turns out the way it does, and whether we have much, if any, control over it, the profitable aim of such a question is not in knowing why but rather how one can “be with” life peacefully, contentedly with equanimity. Here is where turning to spiritual perspectives can be truly helpful.

The Tao Te Ching maintains that a lot of our anxiety comes from trying to “force” what cannot be forced, rather than trusting life’s natural unfolding. That isn’t to say we shouldn’t “act” when we can, but we may not be in control of the results. Real security doesn’t arise from controlling external circumstances, but from embracing impermanence and uncertainty. Paradoxically, acknowledging our lack of control can be liberating.  And some of the most extraordinary performances and achievements in the arts, sciences, sport and dance happened when there was complete surrender and the personal will was not engaged or perhaps was taking a back seat, so that greater power and intelligence took over, and something magnificent emerged from the absence of willfulness and presence of willingness.

The Waymo car was programmed to follow a particular plan (route) to arrive at a specific destination. We as spiritual beings are programmed (encoded) to realize and express our true nature.  We can wake up to our spiritual nature in the best circumstances or the worst of circumstances. Therefore, we need not be obsessed with controlling our lives since that takes us out of the present moment where the ultimate goal resides.

When I realized that I could not touch the wheel, I sat back and enjoyed the ride. Anxiety and frustration from resisting life can give way to trust in a higher intelligence that wills for our highest good.  Merely answering Einstein's big question about the friendliness of the universe with the conviction that Life knows what it is doing, despite our human preferences, can liberate us from the need to know and control every outcome. Even Jesus, who confronted extraordinary hardship discovered freedom and eternity by yielding his will to a greater will.  May we find that same wise surrender wherever the road of life takes us.

Namaste,

Rev. Larry

A deep-dive conversation of this article, courtesy of Notebooklm