When "Freedom" Is Not "Free!"

"A slave who is happy with his state is a slave twice over, because not only his body but his soul is enslaved."
Epictetus

Two centuries, one score, one decade and five years ago, exactly tomorrow, these United States declared Independence from Great Britain.
The colonies wanted to realize the dreams of the pilgrims who'd set out to gain freedom from the Mother country and find a new world.
Two hundred and thirty five years (235 years) may seem like a huge number to us moving through life day to day. But in terms of eternity, it's only one drop in the bucket.

The United States may be a fully mature nation after those many years away from the Mother country, becoming the greatest nation on Earth. But...again...it's all relative.

Most of us like to think of ourselves as growing into maturity when we move from the first decade to the second decade of our lives. Through the progression of decades, we take pride in the advancement, celebrating each decade with fanfare and joy.
Rightly, we should. To be here, each day, is a gift for our Soul!

This Independence Day, though, I'd like us to think of what "real freedom" means on an individual basis, as we've progressed through life.

Many of us may count our "freedom" by what we've achieved during our lifetime.

That's certainly a good way to mark the passage of time. However, unless they involve the Soul's evolution, most of our achievements are one-dimensional with us craving more and more accomplishments to feel whole. The question remains then: should our accomplishments truly be considered as "freedom?"


We also should ask, "Freedom from what?"




Certainly, our accomplishments free us from poverty. But this further serves to camouflage our awareness that wealth, poverty and conditions in our world are merely the reflection of our consciousness. We insulate ourselves so well with our accomplishments and wealth that once it's working, we often don't seek to know life beyond the surface of things.

Often, too, if we are not extremely careful, the race to 'accomplish/achieve' is the very reason we lose connection to our Soul! Many give up their Soul's inner urgings in order to do "well" in the world.

So, let's start counting our freedom again.

Let's look at the "freedom of being" we've achieved from the time we were born into the world.

If you born near the turn of the 20th century, you may indeed begin to see certain "real freedoms" you've achieved in your lifetime.



Women can look back and see how many chains of oppression have been broken in their lifetime: in terms of their relationship to men in marriage and child-rearing and in the corridors of business and movement towards more equality there. [We can see by the recent Supreme Court's ruling to throw out a class-action lawsuit against WalMart for sex-bias, we have many more generations to go before there ever will be full equality in the workplace for women.]

Men can look back and see the many chains that have been broken in terms of defining "manliness" in the world. Now, men get respect and are admired for having flexibility in their lifestyle. They earn kudos for being a good dad, knowing how to cook, and being open enough to allow women to earn the "bread." Men also can look at their own personal attitudes and cite real freedom towards how they traditionally viewed/treated women vs. today.


Both men and women of whatever age still have a long way to go before any society in the world stops defining the sexes by the roles we "should" and "ought" to play in the world. But in our lifetimes, we've made real strides.

Are we then now talking about "real freedom?"


Yes. Unequivocally "yes!"

Any activity in life that breaks the chain for a person to express what's within them is FREEDOM!

"Freedom" truly is freedom of spirit.

Without this, we are not free.

If you are in a marriage or a relationship where you cannot freely express your thoughts and opinions because you believe it will "destroy" the connection with the other, then are you free?

If you are in a workplace that confines you and limits your actions, beyond what is socially acceptable and working for the common good, then are you free?

If you are walking through life, without knowing, truly, who you are and what is your purpose here on Earth, then are you free?

If you are waking up every day knowing nothing else but your name, address, birthdate, social security number,your credit score, dollars in your accounts, number of kids you have, the activities on your job, what you're having for dinner, what dress you're going wear, how many dresses and shoes you have, how many ...how many...how many... then, are you truly walking in freedom?

Many of us remain enslaved to a way of life without knowing it.


We have bought into the view that life is the way all the rest of the people view it, without any further inquiry or curiousity.

Are you free?

Do you know your own soul?


This Independence Day, as we celebrate 235 years of our country's "freedom" from attachment to its Mother, I want you to think about the true freedom you have given to your own Soul to lead you through life.

Are you free to be your own woman or man, without feeling compelled to follow the obligations society has placed on you as a fitting "role?"

Are you free?

Are you free?

Are YOU free?

Think on these things.

"There is no middle way: either be a slave of people or of God." -Tolstoy

Which "slavery" offers "true freedom" for your Soul?

Happy Independence Day!

Namaste',

Che'