What is FREEDOM?
True freedom is not something defined by the perimeter of our physical confinement or the power of external permissions: what we are allowed and not allowed to think, be and do. It is not prescribed by the social or cultural rules or even the law of the land; nor is it subject to the human powerplay, even though at first glance it appears to be so.
Are you crazy?… I hear you say. Well, no - and here is why:
Acceptance of the restrictions you can’t escape as your choice will set you free. So freedom is a state of mind - it’s as simple and elegant as that.
Choice is opposite to enforcement. When you choose to obey the law, accept your social obligations and comply with your company’s policy and rules, you remain free to do as you choose. See the clever elegance of this position?…
That’s just the first step.
Now, we can empower our freedom by addressing the factors that impact on it.
Think about what is stopping you on your pathway through life; what holds you back, what slows you down, what prevents you from enjoying your living, what prevents you from feeling boundary-less and non-dependent on external agents. You will then see all your chains and shackles that need to be removed.
Don’t hesitate, this will transform your life.
Really?…Yes, really.
Examine your top five values - those internal beacons guiding your decisions and choices. Things and concepts we value most. Is freedom on your values list? If yes, in which place? If not, why not?…
Can you think freely? Can you freely speak your mind? Or are you being told by others what to think, say and do? Putting stop to an emotional blackmail, co-dependency and abuse will definitely set you free.
Are you overweight? Do you suffer from an illness? Perhaps a chronic illness restricting your movement and enjoyment of life? As controversial and hard to grasp as it is, illness is optional (which is a totally separate conversation).
Holly-molly. This is heavy duty stuff… That’s why I left it for another post (maybe).
Do you always worry what people think about you, say about you, whether they like you or not? Do you have any addictions? Alcohol? Drugs? Smoking? Vaping? Work? Gossip? Coffee? Gambling? Sex? Social media? If you do - sorry to break this to you, but you are not free.
If you constantly worry about your looks, your social status, your past or your future – you are definitely not free. Do you have financial debts? Are you a slave to possessions and money? And what about your emotional addictions? To anger? Stress? Judgment? Criticism?…
Being free means to own your life and all experiences in it. The moment you blame something or someone for what has occurred, you are no longer free.
Take back the control of your life. Look at what has imprisoned you and do something about it. Restore the balance. Cut it off. Let go.
There are of course, natural restrictions to the scope of your freedom, so use common sense. Freedom is not about breaking the law, my way or the highway attitude or jumping from the 10th floor believing you can fly.
No kidding...Yeap.
Take steps to be fit and healthy, debt-free, worry-free, with no emotional baggage, no complaints, no regrets. Think of yourself as being like a mountain spring: crystal clear, high energy and constantly on the move. Think about the possibilities inherent in a mountain spring; no mud, heavy rocks or sand to carry. Just pure, free energy dancing on the mountain, sparkling and splashing on the bedrocks on its way down. An embodiment of happiness and heavenly delight. An embodiment of freedom.
Be the Master of your thoughts and emotions. Make them your business, and your business only.
Examine your loyalties - political, religious, cultural. Revisit your values, beliefs and fears; your attachments to people and situations. Do they hold you back, confine and tie you down preventing the full expression of your potential and your enjoyment of life?...
Freedom is not about breaking your commitments, relationships or traditions. But if you want them with the constraints they carry - OWN THEM AS YOUR CHOICE, for as long as you feel they are imposed, you will never be truly free.
Gee, that’s a triple emphasis…Anything else?… Absolutely. Please stay with me.
Explore the programming of your mind back in your childhood and even now - by your family, your peers, schooling, media, advertising, politics, money. Your beliefs and habits. Do you respond to challenging situations in life or automatically react? That’s a really bad habit pulling your strings from your unconscious mind before you even think.
Are you always pressed for time? Rushing to meet deadlines? Living in the future that never comes? Are you a slave to the clock? How much freedom do you really have with the design of your life? Are you being driven by your destiny, or is your path shaped by your choices?
Who or what is pulling your strings? Who are you a slave to? Look closely at what is holding you back and let go. Simply let go and be free.
Wow. There’s a lot of questions here. Do I need to answer them all in one go?…No. Take your time.
How does it feel to be FREE? Empowering?... Expansive?… Limitless?… A blissful state of joy just because you are.
Nice… I like this feeling… Great. But wait, there is more!
When you are truly free, your energy field expands beyond the horizon to the point where you feel one with the Universe in a fully awakened state of eternal peace. Your brainwaves are in Alpha. Everything is effortless. Your thinking is sharp, instantaneous and always relaxed. Any constraints you have in your environment don’t really matter, as you know you have created them to help you focus on the true essence of freedom which is your state of mind.
To deeply learn and practise freedom, spend a month in an ashram, a retreat or some place where you can isolate yourself from the world and indulge in not having to please or be accepted by anyone. Live simply and purely, and savour life. And when you come back to the civilisation, perpetuate this non-dependence to the extent you can.
Phew…That’s a lot of work! By the time I’m done I’ll be like a saint or something...
Ok. Here is the short version: Whatever situation, decision or choice you face, ask yourself this simple question:
Am I free to follow my own will here, or is someone or something pulling my strings, even stopping me altogether?
The answer will reveal the problem and give you the solution.
The pathway to freedom may seem daunting, so just do as much as you can. Trust me, you are not alone - I’m on it, too.
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I’ve been enjoying your writing, but this writing was incredible, seriously awakening stuff.
I really liked the question/answer conversational format. I found the pace easy to read and understand.
Wowee. That piece of writing is the most powerful I have read in a long time. Therein lies the secret to living a blissful life. Thank you Anna 🥰❤️❤️❤️