Freedom

Freedom the very word incites us all, be it a child or an elderly gentleman. The very root of existence of 'All that is' lies in freedom. From the most inconsequential blade of grass to the wittiest of the man, freedom is a goal sought after. Captivation, bondage, enslavement and words of that fashion by their very sound spread a deep feeling of anxiety and fear in our hearts and minds. The ultimate valuable expression of life is freedom. But what exactly is this freedom?

It is said that the same book should be read at seven different points in time and each time one is sure to extract some more of the honey! This implies that we all are ever expanding, ever growing beings manifested in this time-space reality, and that at different ages of maturity we perceive the work from a different angle. Freedom on the usual podium would simply refer to democratic, political, military etc. empowerment, but is it the read freedom? Freedom at its deepest recesses is much beyond the superficial phenomenon that we observe. One may be the master of the entire world, a Chakravartin, but at the same time he may be nothing more than a hollow bamboo from inside! Such an ironical situation! As physical beings due to external influences we are often too attached with the externals and have a little regard for the non-physical, greater part of us.

There are many levels to our being, beyond bones and flesh. First of all our minds. Right from our very childhood we all have imbibed a certain pattern of thought that was abundant around us and with time it catches great momentum. The beliefs, the ethics, do's-don'ts etc. all fall into this category. A child at a very tender age is caught - at an age when he is utterly helpless and can do nothing but a trust! This gullible child is forced into a certain religion, a certain social practice and is re-casted and molded into an 'entity' that fits the 'society'. This is the most ferocious and brutal attack on the freedom of an individual.  Although unconsciously, done but this is the greatest hindrance that a child faces in his quest to become and 'integrated individual'.

Once a sapling is uprooted, it scarcely can grow again! And with this the life of millions and millions of people having the capability to become Buddhas are squandered! Gurdejieff's main teaching goes like this: 'Man as he is, is nothing but a vegetating machine.' There are great implications to this statement. Whether we talk of our subversive thoughts, apprehensive and negative feelings or simply the habits that we have picked up over the flow of time - are all in a way hardwired in out chips. It is almost impossible to change a single habit! People, the 'so-called' saints as Osho refers them, turn ascetics, masochist and torture themselves in order to gain the kingdom of god. But the only logical outcome is the perversion of the life-force the prime energy! It is impossible to flow against nature! The very effort poses a hindrance in the path! As and when we become more aware and alert of the mechanisms of our own mind we realize that it is easy to preach but almost impossible to transform our own selves.

We all in live in a sort of stereo-typical setting. The eastern undercurrent has called this the 'spiritual-slumber' and thus we see that all the great masters known or unknown have emphasized on 'Awakening'. Freedom as we are right now is certainly impossible. Of course one needs to have a good food to eat, clothes to wear, every sort of extravagance that is out there for him to turn inwards. If the externals are wretched it is folly to expect one to fish for freedom - it is not possible by the very nature of things. True freedom can be sought only be working one oneself, polishing oneself. Freedom in this case would mean the cessation of all bondage of thoughts or negative emotions, the attachment to misery, the insatiable desire to become and conquer everyone - the false 'I'! In a deeper sense the mystics have always said that the basis of this universe is duality, and perception of the Non-dual is the freedom, Nirvana, Moksha, Kaivalya or whatever term that may please you - is the goal.

It is quite clear through self-observation how difficult it is to say sayonara to negativity, the unwanted clutter of thoughts and so on. Thus the sublime clarity that arises from such a freedom is what Freedom really is! Now it is a known fact that at the higher realms of our consciousness it is impossible to commit any act that is harmful in its essence. Even the modern scientists researching on Alpha, Delta, Theta levels of mind have verified it. Any act done in 'bondage' has the potential to be in conflict with other beings and their intents, it can turn out to be outrageously cataclysmic. Thus freedom in its usual connotation is not worth a penny, only when it reached to its purest form can it be benign and helpful.