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What is True Freedom? |
Throughout most history, freedom
has been attained only by the united and resolute efforts of many people to gain
the common good of all. Freedom comes from
self-discipline, inspired by a deep sense of responsibility towards something
greater than our personal interests and preferences. It comes from devotion to the family, community,
and truth. These are the strongholds of
civilization, so our best interest lies in their preservation. In
today’s world, however, it has become commonplace to confuse freedom with license.
Many people think freedom consists solely of the right to pursue one’s
own personal desires and goals, regardless of the common good.
Such people think they are enjoying freedom when, in fact, they are stifling
real freedom and undermining their own stability and prosperity. Individual
freedom is very good, but not if it destroys the unity of the family, community,
or country. The prosperity and well-being
of the individual depends on the unity of family and strength of the social structure.
When individuality and self-centered pursuits are given highest priority,
dissension increases and cooperation vanishes.
Then the family and social structure begin to disintegrate.
Without a united family and community, we are left alone in a sea of peril
and discord. Hence, individual freedom
should be subjugated to the interests of the common good. When
we are free to follow the whims and desires of our minds, we are not becoming
free. Instead we are increasing our bondage
by entrenching ourselves deeper into the quicksand of our selfish mentality. The
selfish mentality is never satisfied; it always wants more. If we caught in that trap, we will never be
free. Is
it freedom to do whatever we want, regardless of the consequences? Look at the freedom of those who smoke cigarettes,
drink alcohol, take drugs, or eat meat. They do not become free; they become ill. Their lives are cut short. Their ability to contribute to society is hindered
or destroyed. The
society that leaves people alone to practice their selfishness does not have freedom;
it has overcrowded hospitals, insane asylums, and jails. Freedom does not come automatically. It comes with guidance and great effort. People have to be taught good habits and good
principles. Without a strong moral character
and wisdom, people will only misuse the freedom that is given to them and remain
in bondage. Freedom
depends on the free flow of truth. Truth
shows us the avenues that lead to freedom and those that lead to dead ends.
We have to tell the truth to our loved ones to save them from hurting themselves. Likewise, we must be humble and gracious to
receive wisdom and advice. Freedom is that
which makes us strong, selfless, and humble to learn and change for the better.
We
are free only when we have freed ourselves from our self-centered, individualistic
habits of the mind and ego. It is the responsibility
of every one of us to free ourselves from our own selfishness so that Mother Earth
can be free from the pain and wickedness of all.
Where selfishness and ego are rampant, there cannot be peace or freedom. We
cannot be free if we are concentrating only on finding our own personal freedom
or self-development. That leads to the
bondage of self-involvement. If we are
actively helping others, we have automatically become free. Why? Because
we become free by giving more, loving more, and thinking of ourselves less.
By not focusing on our negative tendencies and limitations, we are able
to transcend them. Giving them importance only serves to magnify
their negative influence on us. Freedom
and duty are inseparable. But duty must
be performed with discernment. If we take
on too many responsibilities, we can let ourselves become abused by people who
are trying to take advantage of our good nature. We must do our duties to the fullest, but we
should not weaken others by doing their duties, too. The
karma of life will go on, but the one who faces life smilingly, who accepts challenges
and obstacles with great resolve, courage, and balance, is
known to be totally free. |