Independence = Freedom?

Yes, you guessed it! This comes right after our nation ‘celebrated’ Independence Day. It has been 65 long years after the British left us on our own – we are now “Independent” or so they say and we believe it. Okay, here's a small activity for you. How many of you actually remember a few events or episodes from your childhood? If you do remember, take two minutes to check if the images of those events are vivid or not. So, do you believe that those events actually took place? I, for a matter of fact, don’t remember most of the happenings in my childhood. All I know about my childhood is what I have heard from my parents. And what I have thought about those narratives over the years. The processing and re-processing has helped me come to an understanding that these were the things that happened when I was a 6 year old or a 5 year old. Hence, it appears as if I remember it and I totally believe that I have experienced it. So is it reality or is it just what we believe to be true? Do you now agree that it is simply an illusion or could even be a delusion? – Well, I’m a psychology student and I have got an amazingly awesome teacher! \m/

The same I guess applies to the delusion we live in. The delusion being we are independent as a nation and hence are free as a nation.

1. Once every single person realizes that s/he is free, a country or a community with a shared identity can actually claim being free. It has to happen at an individual level for it to actually be seen on a large scale. Every drop of water that constitutes a large ocean counts, right?

2. We have taken it for granted that independence at a national level is same as freedom at an individual level. I’m afraid I have a different view point. We say India is a free nation. Free of what? Intruders? How can we be free as a nation when there are so many unaware minds full of intruding negative thoughts? Independence is only a notion. It is only a term; a label.

3. No man is free who is not master of himself said Epictetus. Being independent of thoughts and controlling our body-mind alone will lead us to the ultimate freedom. Free from all worries and free from the material world so to speak.

4. I now know that an organized life makes me feel good. So I have pointers in my article. This, I’m sure, will inspire you to do something as simple that brings you joy.

Old habits die hard. I get back to my normal style of writing. I wasn't in my best of moods on Independence Day. Yes, it means different things to different people and doesn't mean anything to a few. For me, it was a reminder of sorts. A reminder that independence is in the mind and isn't all that difficult to attain. But our conditioned mind, doesn't let us expand ourselves to the truth that we need to make an effort to consciously feel free. I always try and remember what Lao Tzu said - He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.

Have I muddled and befuddled your well conditioned minds? (:P) Don't worry. Forget everything I said and find a place of quiet and stay silent - of noise and thoughts. Feel the abundance that life has got to offer!!