Have been thinking a lot just recently about what it means to be 'Free' and what really is 'Freedom.' And I thought it might make an interesting topic of conversation. So, if you have a 'free' moment, let me know what you think 🙂
Hi Derek
Good question. For me trying to live each moment as it is, not how my mind or my memories want to perceive it. Living from the true me (minus all the stories I've made up about me and people and situations blah blah blah) in the true now. Then I feel light and free. Very much work in progress... this chink is just shining through! More please. Would love to know what others think and how they have achieved it, thanks for that question Derek.
Vanessa xx
Have been thinking a lot just recently about what it means to be 'Free' and what really is 'Freedom.' And I thought it might make an interesting topic of conversation. So, if you have a 'free' moment, let me know what you think 🙂
Hi Derek 🙂 ,
I'd like to know what to be 'Free' and 'Freedom' means to you?
'Freedom' was yesterday afternoon, when the sun was so warm and the day so beautiful.
I took my trusty old bicycle and cycled along a quiet single track road to my private (river) swimming pool. It's always quiet, although a few people know about it. It's also quite a distance from footpaths - freedom to skinny dip in the sunshine.
Wonderful. I had the time, I had the opportunity, no one stopped me - my daily dose of freedom.
Whole books have been written about this question alone. Mainly, it seems, they highlight that we cannot be free as long as that freedom depends on outer circumstances, as then we will always be hooked to them in some way.
True freedom, therefore, would mean freedom from our social conditioning, our self-image and our view of the world. 🙂
Good question Derek (PM me if you'd like this thread moved to the Philosophy forum as I think that would be a more suitable place).
Certainly there can be any number of possible answers given to it, and many of them may be saying the same thing just using different terminology from different philosophical ideas.
Off the top of my head I will say...
Freedom is having no attachment to anything, and if you do have attachment to things, not letting that worry you, but just being aware of it so that you can look to be free of it when the time is right.
(or more simply put, freedom is Living in the Now)
🙂
All Love and Reiki Hugs
'Freedom' was yesterday afternoon, when the sun was so warm and the day so beautiful.
I took my trusty old bicycle and cycled along a quiet single track road to my private (river) swimming pool. It's always quiet, although a few people know about it. It's also quite a distance from footpaths - freedom to skinny dip in the sunshine.
Wonderful. I had the time, I had the opportunity, no one stopped me - my daily dose of freedom.
That sounds amazing Alison - but to me this isn't True Freedom because it's constrained by time and physicality and conditions : If the weather isn't sunny and warm - do you still go to your pool? If not then it isn't your daily dose of freedom. If your bike got a puncture on the way there... would you be happy about that?
True freedom, therefore, would mean freedom from our social conditioning, our self-image and our view of the world. 🙂
How does one go about attain freedom from social conditioning, self-image and view of the world?
Good question Derek (PM me if you'd like this thread moved to the Philosophy forum as I think that would be a more suitable place).
Certainly there can be any number of possible answers given to it, and many of them may be saying the same thing just using different terminology from different philosophical ideas.
Off the top of my head I will say...
Freedom is having no attachment to anything, and if you do have attachment to things, not letting that worry you, but just being aware of it so that you can look to be free of it when the time is right.
(or more simply put, freedom is Living in the Now)
🙂
All Love and Reiki Hugs
All of that make sense Giles - do you mind if I ask, do you feel Free? Would you say that you are Free?
Hi .
One is free I would say when one is pure . Pure of intent, thought and pure in action .
x dazzle x
That sounds amazing Alison - but to me this isn't True Freedom because it's constrained by time and physicality and conditions : If the weather isn't sunny and warm - do you still go to your pool? If not then it isn't your daily dose of freedom. If your bike got a puncture on the way there... would you be happy about that?
No, I probably wouldn't be happy with a puncture! Although it wouldn't be the end of the world.
I take your point - I think I just seized the moment to express the feeling of freedom. I'd have to spend a bit more time thinking to get into the philosophy of freedom.
No, I probably wouldn't be happy with a puncture! Although it wouldn't be the end of the world.
I take your point - I think I just seized the moment to express the feeling of freedom. I'd have to spend a bit more time thinking to get into the philosophy of freedom.
Well - Thanks for seizing the opportunity ~ it really does sound amazing. I would ask for a grid reference for your pool, but I expect you would want to keep it all to yourself - and no wonder!
Hi .
One is free I would say when one is pure . Pure of intent, thought and pure in action .
x dazzle x
And how does one attain purity, daz?
Hi Daz
Please define:
when one is pure . Pure of intent, thought and pure in action .
And how would you define the reverse of being impure.?
And how does one attain purity, daz?
Hi W.S.
A good start is to strengthen one's strengths and weaken one's weaknesses .
Our conscience is a good yard stick to have and to use in regards to what sits well within one's self .
Of course there are many aspects of self that lie dormant or that one denies but self enquiry brings all to the surface of one's mind that needs resolving . . All of one's so called guilts, resentments etc that have muddied the waters so to speak .
Any thought or any action made carries a vibration . If the thought / action was of pure intent then one's vibration becomes purer for use of a better word .
What lies at the heart of an individual is expressed outwardly I would say so what is pure within is pure without .
There are many ways to purify self on many levels from one's diet to practicing yoga to being of service to mankind .. There is much to add to the pot .
x dazzle x
Hi Daz
Please define:
And how would you define the reverse of being impure.?
Pure...? 😉
x daz x
Hi Daz
Please define:
One is free I would say when one is pure . Pure of intent, thought and pure in action .
If one is free of all aspects of one's individual mind that hinders one from self love then one is pure .
x daz x
Hi Daz
If one is free of all aspects of one's individual mind that hinders one from self love then one is pure .
I understand that self acceptance in an open and nonjudgmental way will free someone from their self imposed bounds.
I think the problem with equating freedom with purity and self love is that it brings judgement into the equation, unfortunately judgement always binds and restricts, judgement and freedom are total opposites.
Do you not think it is possible for a mass murderer to love themselves completely, whilst at the same time perceiving their actions as being one of the purest actions that a human being can make?
Hi W.S.
A good start is to strengthen one's strengths and weaken one's weaknesses .
Our conscience is a good yard stick to have and to use in regards to what sits well within one's self .
Of course there are many aspects of self that lie dormant or that one denies but self enquiry brings all to the surface of one's mind that needs resolving . . All of one's so called guilts, resentments etc that have muddied the waters so to speak .
Any thought or any action made carries a vibration . If the thought / action was of pure intent then one's vibration becomes purer for use of a better word .
What lies at the heart of an individual is expressed outwardly I would say so what is pure within is pure without .
There are many ways to purify self on many levels from one's diet to practicing yoga to being of service to mankind .. There is much to add to the pot .
x dazzle x
Yes, so I've heard - thanks for the response!
Hi Daz
I understand that self acceptance in an open and nonjudgmental way will free someone from their self imposed bounds.
I think the problem with equating freedom with purity and self love is that it brings judgement into the equation, unfortunately judgement always binds and restricts, judgement and freedom are total opposites.
Do you not think it is possible for a mass murderer to love themselves completely, whilst at the same time perceiving their actions as being one of the purest actions that a human being can make?
Hi Paul .
It is possible for anyone to self love . There is a process that one will endure I would say . Perhaps it is highly unlikely that one can self love in an instant unless one has resolved all energies that relate to one's mindful experiences .
You mention that acceptance in an open and nonjudgmental way will free someone from their self imposed bounds.
So are you saying that if one accepts that they are a mass murderer then they are free from one's bounds that tie them to one's actions ? If one accepts their weaknesses for example does one remain with their weaknesses . .
x dazzle x
Yes, so I've heard - thanks for the response!
Do you think that there is a unique way to purify one's self W.S. something perhaps that is unheard of by any other individual .
Would you say that certain processes like yoga that transmutes karma is anyless effective for example just because its a process that has been proven for all those dedicated to its practice for thousands of years?
just a thought ..
x dazzle x
Hi Daz
You mention that acceptance in an open and nonjudgmental way will free someone from their self imposed bounds.
So are you saying that if one accepts that they are a mass murderer then they are free from one's bounds that tie them to one's actions ? If one accepts their weaknesses for example does one remain with their weaknesses . .
You are assuming that someone has to have bonds that tie them to their actions, this is only true if we choose to perceive it that way, otherwise it is false, people are bound up in their thoughts, not the actions which manifest from them.
If someone chooses to embrace their perception of weakness in an open an non-judgemental way, then the inner weakness which they have created for themselves can then be transformed into inner power.
By embracing self without judgement, then we have to let go of the judgement of weakness which we have become attached to.
Derek, thanks for the PM, I've moved the thread now to the Philosophy forum (and left a redirect on the old forum for a week).
All of that make sense Giles - do you mind if I ask, do you feel Free? Would you say that you are Free?
Hi WS,
Not sure if you are referring to me specifically or a general "you".
As a general "you" I would say that if you feel free then you still have the attachment of feeling, so you're not ultimately completely free, though I guess nobody is going to complain about having a nice feeling of being free eh! 😉 Again in the general sense, I would say that being free of attachments means you are free.
Me specifically... It would be nice to say that I am free of all attachments, but I think I've still got a way to go. However, I keep practicing at being aware and living in the moment, so being aware of my attachments is the first step to letting them go. 😉
All Love and Reiki Hugs
Do you think that there is a unique way to purify one's self W.S. something perhaps that is unheard of by any other individual .
Would you say that certain processes like yoga that transmutes karma is anyless effective for example just because its a process that has been proven for all those dedicated to its practice for thousands of years?
just a thought ..
x dazzle x
Yes, I did wonder if anyone had anything new to bring to the table - that's why I asked.
Hi WS,
Not sure if you are referring to me specifically or a general "you".
As a general "you" I would say that if you feel free then you still have the attachment of feeling, so you're not ultimately completely free, though I guess nobody is going to complain about having a nice feeling of being free eh! 😉 Again in the general sense, I would say that being free of attachments means you are free.Me specifically... It would be nice to say that I am free of all attachments, but I think I've still got a way to go. However, I keep practicing at being aware and living in the moment, so being aware of my attachments is the first step to letting them go. 😉
All Love and Reiki Hugs
OK, thanks Giles - yes, I see what you're saying .... thanks:)
Hi Daz
You are assuming that someone has to have bonds that tie them to their actions, this is only true if we choose to perceive it that way, otherwise it is false, people are bound up in their thoughts, not the actions which manifest from them..
Hi Mate
everything has consequence if one is aware of that consequence or not is irrelevant .
If someone chooses to embrace their perception of weakness in an open an non-judgemental way, then the inner weakness which they have created for themselves can then be transformed into inner power.
By embracing self without judgement, then we have to let go of the judgement of weakness which we have become attached to.
Ok _ lets take an individual that is addicted to porn or is a child abuser . There is a weakness present because there is a lack of inner contentment within their own being .
If one embraces such weaknesses then are you saying that addiction to porn or to abuse children is turned into an inner power . . (just an example)
Those actions made from weakness will have an effect within that individual if they are conscious of it or not .. When they are aware of the effect then they may choose to forgive aspects connected to such actions .. and begin the purifying process that is of self love .
x dazzle x
Yes, I did wonder if anyone had anything new to bring to the table - that's why I asked.
Does something / anything need or require to be new in order to have any bearing on anything? If a tried and tested process has worked for many life times for each individual that has entertained them _ does something/anything new need to be brought to the fore?
How do you feel one can purify self W.S. other than what some other individual in our history hasn't already mentioned in some shape or form?
x daz x
If a tried and tested process has worked for many life times for each individual that has entertained them _ does something/anything new need to be brought to the fore?
In order to learn something new? I guess this depends on why we each think we are here.
Hi Daz
Ok _ lets take an individual that is addicted to porn or is a child abuser . There is a weakness present because there is a lack of inner contentment within their own being .
If one embraces such weaknesses then are you saying that addiction to porn or to abuse children is turned into an inner power . . (just an example)
There is an attachment within consciousness to the feelings that they have associated with their chosen way of being, it is the attachment which needs to be embraced so that it can be released, once the attachment is released then the the core way of being will transform.
Why do you perceive this as a weakness? They are utilising exactly the same aspects of consciousness that they use when choosing to do anything, becoming fixated upon something within consciousness, is just a focus, it could be on anything, be that religion, self righteousness, pornography, drugs, making money, becoming slim, being judgemental, gambling, smoking, politics, body building etc, they are all chosen focuses that someone has chosen to embrace so that they can experience whatever it brings to their life experience.
Those actions made from weakness will have an effect within that individual if they are conscious of it or not .. When they are aware of the effect then they may choose to forgive aspects connected to such actions .. and begin the purifying process that is of self love .
Please consider taking judgement out of the equation, judgement implies that something needs forgiveness, but forgiving a judgement will just create another problem born out of the enactment of the self judgement.
Judgement needs letting go of, not forgiving, if we utilise judgement to attempt to become whatever we perceive is an ideal, then we will form an attachment to impurity and create it, or we will achieve our judgemental goal and run the risk of becoming what we perceive to be pure, which will make everyone else impure.
Hi Daz
There is an attachment within consciousness to the feelings that they have associated with their chosen way of being, it is the attachment which needs to be embraced so that it can be released, once the attachment is released then the the core way of being will transform.
.
Hi Paul .
One isn't necessarily conscious to the feelings/energies attributed to one's actions so therefore attachment is not always a factor . One maybe oblivious to the sufferings of others due to one's actions made because one is operating in a reality where only their own selfish desires take president .
Why do you perceive this as a weakness? They are utilising exactly the same aspects of consciousness that they use when choosing to do anything, becoming fixated upon something within consciousness, is just a focus, it could be on anything, be that religion, self righteousness, pornography, drugs, making money, becoming slim, being judgemental, gambling, smoking, politics, body building etc, they are all chosen focuses that someone has chosen to embrace so that they can experience whatever it brings to their life experience. .
All the love one needs is within . There are very few needs an individual requires as a human being . Food, water, shelter, clothing perhaps .. . everything else can be seen as a weakness through one's desires if you get me .
When an Individual always looks outside of self for self gratification that can be seen as a weakness .
Please consider taking judgement out of the equation, judgement implies that something needs forgiveness, but forgiving a judgement will just create another problem born out of the enactment of the self judgement.
Judgement needs letting go of, not forgiving, if we utilise judgement to attempt to become whatever we perceive is an ideal, then we will form an attachment to impurity and create it, or we will achieve our judgemental goal and run the risk of becoming what we perceive to be pure, which will make everyone else impure.
I would say self evaluation is what I am suggesting . As stated in a pervious post in regards to being part of the purifying process that allows one to be free (getting back on topic) 🙂
Self evaluation is not the same as having judgement for another ..
What one has ascertained through one's own evaluation will apply to another because all is one, but only the individual concerned will be able to evaluate their own own thoughts and actions .
x dazzle x