ARE WE REALLY FREE?

“Freedom is a birthright that only comes true through struggle!” - Mao

Freedom is a word that is used indiscriminately and quite often, but that, in reality, most people do not even know or understand the meaning of the word. It is usually used more for convenience than for its real meaning. Phrases like “You are free to do as you please,” “You are free to say what you want,” “We are the land of the free,” etc., are slogans that we say or hear often to simply justify certain actions, to emphasize certain identities, or to incite certain feelings. Yes, most people have some sense of what the word means from the etymological standpoint, but they really do not have the most remote idea what the true meaning of the word is. Are we really free? Is freedom and liberty the same or are they different?

In today’s political rhetoric and in most people’s speech, politicians and people seem to use these two words (freedom and liberty) indiscriminately, their meanings are almost synonymous and used interchangeably. That's confusing – and can be dangerous – because their definitions are actually quite different. Just be aware that these words are being used as buzzwords to play with your identities, cravings, sensitivities and insecurities, and not necessarily depict the reality of what we are living.

Let’s start by defining “freedom” and “liberty.” Freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. It is the absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government or the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved. Freedom is predominantly an internal construct. Think of freedom as something internal, something an individual can possess. The freedom to make a decision. The freedom to feel a certain way. The freedom to turn left or right. Freedom is self-determination and a form of free will. It is having the ability to act or change without constraint. Something is "free" if it can change easily and is not constrained in its present state.

On the other hand, liberty is the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views. It is the power or scope to act as one pleases. Liberty is predominantly an external construct. It basically means free from restriction. It’s outside the self and allows an individual to choose for themselves. It’s often associated with politics and governments. In many ways, liberty is necessary for true freedom of man, yet man can still have some freedom without liberty.

Now that we know the difference between freedom and liberty, let me ask again, are we really free? Although we confuse freedom with the ability to do what we want, when we want, mostly to justify speaking our views and opinions, leaving a place, cheating or misbehaving, traveling, buying what we crave, etc., this type of freedom is just a small fraction of what the true freedom is. How can we call ourselves free in any sense of the word if we are the worst slaves that have existed on the surface of the earth?

To answer this question, we must first look at the definition of the word “slave.” Slave is a person who is excessively dependent upon or controlled by something. It is a person subject to control by another. According to this definition, aren’t we slaves? You probably still do not get it. Let me explain. If we are acting all the time (behaving in a certain way that matches the image we want to project), if how we feel depends on other people and outside situations (everyone and everything decides who you are and even how you feel), and if your body, mind and emotions are ruling who you are and how you feel, then we are definitely the worst slaves! We are slaves of ourselves and everyone and everything else!

True freedom only comes when you transcend the boundaries of your individuality and become one with the universe, when you find your true, divine nature. At this point, you are truly free. Not free to buy, talk, move or cheat. No! You are completely and truly free regardless of the situation, people, and circumstances surrounding you. You are one with everything and everything is part of you! They can mute you, but they cannot silence you. They can physically restrain you, but they cannot hold you. They can torture you, but they cannot touch you. They can even kill you, but they cannot stop you from living forever. This is freedom! Until we get to this state, we are just enjoying a few liberties!

“Freedom is unconditional…boundless!” - Mao

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Author: Maurice Correa
Website: pathtoone.com
Blog: p2oblog.blogspot.com