Let’s talk about…freedom

Freedom is more than a word, a value or a virtue. It is the essence (basic ingredient) of our spirit.

And here is the paradox we, as spiritual human beings, experience.

Our spirit needs freedom (formless). Our human brain needs structure (constraints). Freedom can only be felt and experienced (internally) while, structure needs to be created (both internally and externally).

It’s not either or, we need both!

Balancing between these two “opposing” needs of our spiritual human nature, presents for us a constant challenge throughout our life on this planet.

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In today’s world, freedom is more an ideal rather than the default state of being. “Freedom for All” writes the banner under which, activists around the globe often demonstrate. Sadly, we are pretty far from that ideal.

Everyone wants to be free, and more importantly, everyone wants to feel free. However, almost all of us don’t have a clue what being free actually feels like and what it even means to be free.

Despite what we may think, freedom does NOT depend on external conditions and circumstances. Freedom is an inner state of being.

True freedom is the level of liberation and openness each one of us can feel and experience inside. It’s the level at which we are free of self-imposed or external fears and limitations to live and enjoy life the way we (at soul level) deeply desire.

The level of freedom we experience is directly related to our ability to make choices and assume full responsibility for the choices we make, regardless of external conditions or circumstances. When knowing that we do have control over our inner mental and emotional state we can give ourself permission to choose to feel, - and actually feel-, free.

Inner freedom can often be experienced when we feel connected to something bigger than us or something (e.g. a cause) that has a deeper meaning for us.

Think for example how Nelson Mandela could feel a sense of inner freedom while being imprisoned by feeling deeply connected to his cause against racial segregation. In his own words “Prison - far from breaking our spirits - made us more determined to continue with this battle until victory was won."

Freedom is often interpreted as ‘lack of control’. Yet, freedom without self-control can easily turn into dangerous and distractive behaviors both for us and others. Therefore, in the physical world, in order to be part of a social group, a certain level of self-control is required. It’s not all or nothing.

Self-control is considered a sign of maturity. It is the ability to choose how and when to respond to our impulses, animalistic tendencies, temptations to cause harm or destruction. This is a level of consciousness most humans up until now cannot stand up to nor sustain without externally posed limits, rules and conditions. Until the day - if ever- we evolve enough as spiritual human beings to grow out of this, external forms of control will prevail to provide a (distorted) sense of safety and stability and prevent total chaos.

Feeling free withing social structures requires a certain level of self-control AND external rules and guidelines that would be flexible and adaptable enough to accommodate for the uniqueness of each individual.

The way to achieve this, is to become conscious enough both at individual and collective level and ‘work’ to evolve towards this direction. Many of us already move towards this state of being…when/if we reach it, is a different question.

Take care!

Eleni

*Don’t confuse spirituality with religion.

Religion is a human construct and in its very principle is all about control (via specific rules and cultivating fear based beliefs). It asks us to hand over our power to someone/something else. In that setup, we become the victims or simply the receivers of whatever is handed over to us, with no ‘real power’.

Spirituality, asks us to connect to our own essence(spirit) and claim our own power as an active co-creator in the process of creation. This power stems from our connection and interdependence with all that is (whether we can perceive them as physical reality or not). From that space, true freedom can be experienced and any form of control has no longer power over us.

Note: Feel free to leave a comment and open a discussion. I’d be glad to hear from you!