Independence And Freedom

Neelam Nimare

Here is a profound quote by a master
*The sense of independence is a bondage. The recognition of dependence is freedom.*

It seems like a Paradox. However, there is deeper meaning to it. The statement Independence is a bondage pertains to the individual self. The individual self believes, that it is an independent entity and the doer of all the actions. It believes I act on my own, I achieve things, I am separate from the others. This very idea of independence is a bondage. It is just like the wave thinking that I rise and fall through my own power. I am independent of the ocean.The wave is ignorant that its existence is dependent on the ocean. Similarly, the individual thinks it is an independent entity and that is its bondage.

The other part of the quote says Recognition of dependence is Freedom. It is the recognition that individual has a dependent existence. It is not real. It does not exist independently. It is an appearance on the background of the Absolute. When this dependence of the individual is realised, it is Freedom. It is freedom from the false identity. Realisation of the True Self is freedom. It is freedom from repeated birth and death cycles. The True Self is eternally free. It is free from birth, death, causation, time and space. It is free from all qualities and processes.

*Freedom for an individual*
From a worldly point of view, does the individual have any freedom? This doubt arises because the human is limited under biological and physical laws. Can a person go beyond these limitations. Well, It is true that the body has biological limitations but even within the limitations, there is immense freedom available for human beings. It is evident, many people have achieved excellence through their bodily faculties. We can also directly experience, everyone is doing something which they have picked, their own unique thing. This is the evidence of freedom to chose anything, take up any parh. So there are great possibilities and freedom for us as humans. The only thing that binds us is the mind, which limits us to one identity. The identities like I cannot do this, I am this, I am not enough etc. I do not have any special abilities. The mind is the source of bondage. 
The mind would ask "how can I not be free? I am doing what I want, I can go wherever I want and live as I wish. I have freedom!" Actually, this is independence and not freedom. Independence means there is nothing that is stopping you or no one questioning you from doing what you want. There is no external obstacle. Nothing is stopping you from outside. However freedom means there is nothing inside that is stopping you from doing what you want. Freedom is no internal obstacle. If there is no thought pattern, fear, insecurity or self doubt stopping you, then you are free. Ask yourself if you are able to take a decision quickly and spontaneously with courage, without much calculation or is there a sense of insecurity, self doubt or fear of losing stopping you. Do you feel free within you? 
If you are able to chose any option among all options, it is independence. But Freedom means having the maturity and courage to chose the option that is the best for you. For example you want to eat junk food and there is no one to object, this is independence. This is what you want. But when you desperately want to eat junk food and there are all means and resources but you chose to eat healthy food, then this is freedom. You are not a slave of the mind. Someone abuses you and you are powerful enough to retaliate, but you chose to forgive. This is freedom. You are free from the compulsions of the mind. Freedom means there nothing inside that is stopping you to chose whatever is best for you. You are in the bondage of your mind.

How to be in that state of freedom? Just stop identifying with the mind. Remember that you are inherently free. Freedom is your True nature. When being in this awareness, you transcend the bondages of the mind.

Telegram Browser Warning

Wise Words

Independence And Freedom

Neelam Nimare