るまま（に）Following inclination or course
This pattern describes acting as one wishes or allowing an impulse, natural force, or unfolding course to determine what happens. It is used mainly in established combinations rather than being freely attached to any verb.
Following an impulse or natural course
The important idea is that no external plan or model is directing the action. A person follows a wish, mood, or inner impulse, while a natural force such as the wind can simply take its own course.
Personal inclination
These established expressions present the action as free and self-directed.
A natural force determines the course
小舟は風の吹くままに湖を進んでいった。
The small boat moved across the lake wherever the wind carried it.
AnalyzeThe fixed possession meaning
欲しいままにする is a special established expression. It describes having unrestricted possession or control of wealth, power, influence, or something similar; it does not mean merely doing what one wants.
独裁者は権力と富を欲しいままにした。
The dictator enjoyed unchecked power and wealth.
AnalyzeHere the expression indicates full possession and control, not ordinary desire.
Three important boundaries
With this point, an active dictionary-form expression such as 気の向くまま follows the person's own inclination. A passive verb followed by まま instead presents the person as yielding to someone or something outside them. A past-form verb followed by まま normally describes a state that remains unchanged. Finally, とおり means following an external model, instruction, or expected pattern rather than letting inclination or events lead.
More examples
旅先では、気の向くままに路地を曲がってみる。
When traveling, I sometimes turn down side streets wherever my fancy takes me.
Analyze今日は予定を決めず、足の向くまま歩こう。
Let's make no plans today and walk wherever our feet take us.
Analyze彼は思うがままに自分の考えを書きつづった。
He wrote down his thoughts exactly as he wished.
Analyze雲は風の吹くままに形を変えていった。
The clouds kept changing shape as the wind carried them.
Analyze私は心の赴くままに研究テーマを選んだ。
I chose my research topic by following my heart.
Analyze彼女は心のままに、その日の気持ちを歌にした。
She followed her heart and turned her feelings that day into a song.
Analyze