Using our consciousness, we can free ourselves from any constricted, limited thinking.
Despite reading, dreaming, advocating, and hoping for freedom, what do we mean when we talk or write about it?
What does freedom mean to you? Political freedom means that we have the option to vote for particular ideas or people that are most in tune with our values. There is also the notion of freedom of speech, where one has the right to express his or her own perspective. The definition of freedom varies depending on who you ask; some see it as freedom from financial debt, while others think it is the freedom to love, to marry, and to decide over one's own body.
But what makes a person truly free? Does it look like someone walking out of prison? Is it seen in the fact that I can purchase anything I wish or, rather, in the fact that I don't owe anyone anything? I find it fascinating that so many of the freedoms we seek are viewed as ends in themselves, as if we thought our problems would be solved once we obtained our particular freedom.
““You are born as freedom. It is just that you have been conditioned to forget it. Layers upon layers of conditionings have made you a puppet. The strings are in somebody else’s hands.” OSHO
Study of the Zohar indicates that slavery and bonds in the Bible are not intended as literal concepts. These represent aspects of human nature that we are meant to fight and win in order to discover our true nature. It may surprise us to find out that we sometimes live in a state of bondage within ourselves. Is it not true that we are all enslaved by something - whether it is approval, power, wealth or knowledge? There are desires in us all that can bind us and make us no longer free.
Even though we might appear free physically or materialistically, the truth is we are slaves to our own egos. Our egos constantly test us in a multitude of ways. Egos act out of a desire for approval. We rely too much on our egos to make decisions for us. Regardless of the situation, we are driven by our egos to act impulsively. Ultimately, our mission is to transform those desires into desires to share for the sake of receiving.
The reality is, most of our behavior is reactive. The reason for that is simple, we wouldn't be able to advance spiritually without reactive and impulsive moments. It is a crucial effort, our ability to connect with others is enhanced when we resist our egos. The ego creates the illusion of a division between us and others. It traps us in a kind of jail, preventing us from empathizing with others' unique experiences while becoming obsessed with our own. Creating unity with each other, breaking down these barriers so we can share, is part of our spiritual work on earth.
How can we be truly free?
According to the Kabbalah, everything in the world and in our lives is governed by consciousness. Furthermore, science has proved that the behavior of atoms is completely determined by the observer's consciousness; the experience we have in life is also determined by our consciousness. It is our consciousness that creates our reality.
Consciousness is the individual awareness of thoughts, memories, emotions, sensations, and reactions. Being conscious means you are aware of yourself as well as the world around you.
Let's not delude ourselves when discussing freedom. This does not mean we can do as we please, whenever we like. Kabbalists refer to freedom as being free of control by ego, pride, laziness and neediness. It is our consciousness that has the power to free us from any limited thinking. This enables us to step outside of the limited version of ourselves and to become the spiritual elevated beings we were born to be.
Comments