Earn the Freedom

Once a king went to meet a well-known Master at the foothill of a mountain.

He bowed to Master and said “Master, what is that one thing, you have more than I do?

Master looked at the king and said. I am going to the top of the mountain for my rituals. Come over there and we’ll discuss.

The mountain was very steep with hard terrain and it was a hot sunny afternoon.

King immediately ordered a royal palanquin and a few soldiers to take him to the top.

When King reached, Master welcomed him.

 Master, I am here now to discuss the answer to my question. King reminded

Oh yes, Master said with a smile.

I see, O dear king, you had soldieries, palanquin, food items, and a few people to fan you on the way to reach here.

But I came alone barefooted without depending on anything and anyone.

What I certainly have is more freedom than you!

Indeed, freedom is gained when one can achieve the same joy with lesser dependency on external things.

Ironically, we buy and acquire high-tech, luxury items only to bring more freedom. Counterintuitively, these things overpower us and snatch the very freedom away.

Think of a TV with 300+ HD Channels broadcasting all the aspects under the Sun. The mere freedom to browse through channels incessantly doesn’t create any joy.  More often than not, it ends up making us more restless! Isn’t it?

The same thing is equally true for any activity ingrained with freedom of multiple choices.

The Book ” Paradox of Choices” by Barry Schwartz precisely points out that the vast amount of choices leaves people frustrated and robes them of satisfaction.  The author advises not to get tempted by new options just because they are accessible.

The more is sometimes less. 

Remember those sparkling school days. The small playtime breaks, a free lecture time slot , the festive vacations, Exams, and Results!

We could enjoy all of it, only because the school had enough discipline. 

We can very well see it in nature as well.

The climber trees are free to grow in any direction. But they actually survive and grow well  only when they take the support of the nearby standing trees for better sunlight.  

Freedom is a basic human need and part of our innate nature. Although no one likes to get ruled, ordered, and dominated; excessive freedom is poised to damage well-being. 

The study shows that teenagers and adults are more vulnerable to picking up addictive habits like smoking and drugs. One of the primary reasons is extra freedom, dislike for rules, and little parental or elderly control.  

In a nutshell, the joy and fruitful results come out when we have the right blend of freedom and discipline.

The end objective is not mere freedom but a meaningful life

As it happens, the right balance of freedom and discipline creates extraordinary results.

As we all know, Japan’s economy was devastated during World War II. However, the country progressed by leaps and bound post-war era. Today Japan is the third largest free market economy in the world.

One of the key reasons cited in literature behind this success is the discipline the country has encouraged in the schooling system.  This immensely helped the country to achieve a high literacy rate and excellent education standards.

Countries can wage a freedom war against outside or inside rulers.  However, history tells us time again, Nation grows and propers only when it is free from the Cultural dogmas, corrupt practices, and cynical attitude of its citizens.

Inarguably, the universe also seems to have its rules, laws, and discipline. For the same reason, We are able to predict seasons, control the matter, travel from place to place, and launch satellites in the exact orbit. If the earth stops spinning even for a few seconds, it is going to create earthquakes and tsunamis wiping out everything.

A small break in the cosmic discipline and the world will instantly disappear into Chaos.

Once a person went to the Church to see and confess to the Priest.

Father, Let me confess. I made terrible blunders over the last few years at my work and home.

I am afraid, I may lose my job and my family will no longer adore me. I deserve punishment.

Well, the Father continued. You need to stay here to do household cleaning, check maintenance schedules, and arrange for Church rituals for the next few weeks.

Yes, I’ll certainly do, but when will I be free? Person questioned

Till you are free of your guilt and fear, my son! Father replied.

At a subtle level, true freedom is the freedom from disempowering, negative, and conditioned mindsets. The human mind processes around 6000 thoughts in a day. It’s subtle energy at play. Unless it is channelized, it will create internal swirls of thoughts like eddies in the water.

The mind will rebel against the acts of disciplining, like an unyielding teenager. Nevertheless, rules need to be obeyed for the right reason.

The breathing pattern in meditation, contemplative focus, and living in NOW is all about disciplining the mind to produce magical results.

This is one reason Shrimad Bhagavad-Gita says “Mind is our best friend and also the biggest Enemy”

It is easy to fall back into old habits and routines. Self-Discipline sounds to be a right and the easy formula but is practically difficult.

We need a teacher, a partner, a guru, or a coach.  Systems like To-do lists, calendars, and reminders also help to bring discipline.

Rules, orders, feedback, and expectations from others seem to be an imposition.  However, they play a role to set discipline and course correcting our actions.

True Freedom is just not free; it must be earned. With this, we can happily welcome constraints, rules, and protocols in life as means to provide us with more joyful moments.