Nisargadatta Maharaj, the author of the spiritual classic "I Am That," had a unique perspective on the concept of free will. He believed that while humans have the ability to make choices and decisions, the idea of free will is ultimately an illusion.

According to Maharaj, our actions and decisions are influenced by our conditioning and past experiences, which we have no control over. He states, "You are free to choose what you want, but you are not free to choose what you want to want." In other words, our desires and motivations are predetermined by our conditioning, making it seem like we have a choice when, in reality, we are simply acting out of habit.

Maharaj also believed that the ego, or the sense of individuality, is the root cause of the illusion of free will. The ego creates the illusion of control and agency, making us believe that we are the ones making decisions and choices. However, Maharaj argues that the ego is just a bundle of thoughts and memories, and it has no real power or control over our actions.

In "I Am That," Maharaj compares the ego to a puppet controlled by the strings of conditioning, saying, "The person is a very complex set of conditions, a creature of circumstances, a bundle of memories and desires, a vortex of passions, a field of thoughts and ideas." He believed that true freedom can only be achieved by transcending the ego and realizing our true nature as pure consciousness.

Maharaj also emphasized the role of destiny in our lives. He believed that everything happens according to a predetermined plan, and our actions are just a part of that plan. He states, "Destiny is only the result of past actions, and free will is only a way of choosing our actions in the present moment."

In essence, Maharaj viewed the concept of free will as an illusion created by the ego and our conditioning. He believed that true freedom can only be achieved by transcending the ego and realizing our true nature as pure consciousness. By letting go of the illusion of control and surrendering to the flow of life, we can find true peace and liberation.