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Free will is a natural evolutionary mechanism, just like kindness, compassion or care for one’s kin. There is nothing mystical or exclusively human about it: elements of autonomous choice and mutual help are, to one degree or another, characteristic of many living organisms. Nature created them for one clear purpose – to increase the chances of survival.

Why does a living organism need autonomy? First of all, for separation. Without the ability to detach from the parent, to break free from the total influence of the pack or its leader, it is impossible to grow up and become an independent unit. And without separation, development stops: the organism simply cannot adapt to changing conditions in its environment. If the process of separation is blocked, life, in the evolutionary sense, very quickly reaches a dead end.

From this point of view, psychotherapy, meditation, coaching and any mindfulness practices are not just a fashion or “work on oneself.” They are practical tools of separation. They help us disidentify from other people’s expectations, regain our agency and learn to rely on our own will.