But from the ego viewpoint of the individual there is free will. There is general law, and then the individual and society. The individual acts in society according to his free will, but all conform to the general law. The individual must act, and his action is a function of his mind. These are thoughts.
Thoughts are seeds.
They sprout and become actions. The actions then appear to be free will to the concerned individual. Everyone has been given skills and talents such as intelligence, reason, energy, and they must be put into life action. All men are caskets containing Divine Glory. Do not doubt this, or ignore this, or dispute this.