I've been thinking quite a bit lately about the nature of freedom. What does it mean to be "free", particularly in the context of relationships - with ourselves, with others and with the world?
According to the Mirriam-Webster Online Dictionary, the word freedom means:
1 : the quality or state of being free: as a : the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action b : liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another : INDEPENDENCE c : the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous <freedom from care> d : EASE, FACILITY <spoke the language with freedom> e : the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken <answered with freedom> f : improper familiarity g : boldness of conception or execution h : unrestricted use <gave him the freedom of their home>
2 a : a political right b : FRANCHISE, PRIVILEGE
Freedom is one of the goals of yoga, insofar as we seek freedom from pain (not just physical pain, but despair, disconnectedness from the Divine, loneliness, anxiety, jealousy, etc.). According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the ancient text that lays out the 8 Limbs of Yoga, pain is the result of a number of things, including attachment, disconnection from our true nature, and an undisciplined mind. Working within this context, I find it interesting that the very pursuit of freedom which some people seek ends up causing them a great deal of pain.
For one thing, I'm not entirely sure that it is possible to be free, in the dictionary-sense of the word. Take 1a of the definition above: if there is no constraint in choice or action, then how are we to choose the path that is ours? If we do not have an abiding sense of direction, guidelines, or sense of ethics, how do we discern the value or the repercussions of the choices in front of us? Would not the choices be limitless - and therefore overwhelming? Is overwhelming the bosom buddy of free?
In my worldview, which is informed by my yoga practice and the Purna Yoga tradition, the path to true freedom is through knowing oneself, doing one's best at all endeavors, and surrendering to the Divine. This means that part of my job, as one who is working on my growth as a human being, is to observe my reactions, my habits, my tendencies, my laziness, my strengths, etc., etc., and to cultivate a relationship with myself in which I truly learn who and what I am. Then, out of recognition of my own true nature (that of love, joy, and - in essence - the Divine itself), how could I do anything but my best? Working from this degree of self-knowledge and dedication to trying my best, I humbly recognize that many things are out of my hands. I am working within the context of a human existence, and so I open to the Divine and trust that I will learn what I need to learn, and ultimately be taken care of in all matters. This does not mean that I always get what I want, nor that all things will come easily to me. It does, however, mean that a whole world of healing, joy, opportunity, and perhaps even freedom comes to me as I work to know myself and improve myself every minute of every day.
I do not believe that my chosen lifestyle resonates with the modern understanding of the word freedom, which often seems to me like an "Oh, well. You're free to do whatever you want, and I am, too." attitude. Yes, of course you have the choice to do whatever you want, and yet we all must recognize that there are consequences to our actions, our choices, our words. It is misguided to believe that your actions do not have an inherent impact upon someone or something. Oftentimes, people who behave as if there were no consequence related to their actions inflict a great deal of pain upon themselves and others. Operating under the guidelines of a discipline or tradition - whether it be a religion, a spiritual path, or a philosophy - I believe that we find the kind of freedom few people appreciate.
Bound by principals, we make choices that are, in fact, constrained. And yet, freedom from pain (as described above) is one of the results of choosing to live within those constraints. So, perhaps we trade one concept of freedom for another. Either way, I believe that the pursuit of freedom, with a healthy dose of accountability, is a worthy endeavor and one that can teach the meaning of what it is to be truly free.





