Threads of Freedom: Explorations by friends

 

Meenakshi started reading a book “Freedom from the Known” authored by J Krishnamurti to understand his writings. The author had a great philosophical view, very skilled at expressing complex ideas. She enjoyed reading the book. Being free from whatever knowledge you have gathered, and all your experiences is the theme of the book. ‘Freedom’ is what caught her attention. She felt authors do not hold a monopoly on defining freedom. Everyone’s life journey contributes to their understanding of freedom. Freedom is a deeply personal and subjective concept, and it can be defined and understood differently by various individuals. So, she thought her school friends who are in early 40s can provide valuable insights into what freedom means based on their accumulated knowledge and life experiences. She believed the friends’ collective wisdom can offer a rich and relatable perspective on this profound concept.

As the group of friends continued their quest to explore the various facets of freedom, Deepika first spoke that TRUE LOVE could lead to freedom. Isn’t this fantastic to begin with Love. Love is all about leaving them to be them. By doing so, you will let them have freedom and you will get freedom in return. Love doesn’t bind you to anything. It can let go the attachment, expectations, ideals and doesn’t make them feel trapped. She narrated a short story of her college friend, Veena. Veena always dreamed of becoming a professional dancer, but life’s responsibilities had pulled her in different directions, and she had to put her passion on hold. Her husband on the other hand was successful lawyer who was living life he thought he wanted. But their love for each other was deep and unwavering that one day she confided in her husband about her unfulfilled dream of dancing. Instead of holding her back he encouraged her to pursue it, even if it meant making sacrifices in their lives. They decided to redefine their roles, rearrange their priorities, and support each other’s dreams. Veena began taking dance classes and her joy was infectious. She felt alive and her enthusiasm spilled over into the relationship, making it stronger and more fulfilling than ever. Deepika concluded saying that their love for each other had set them FREE. It was the freedom to be themselves, to chase their dreams, and to know that they were loved unconditionally. Meenakshi along with her other friends touched by Deepika’s story, realized that Freedom could manifest in countless ways and that TRUE LOVE is remarkable path to freedom.

In extension to it, if love and unity of a couple could do such wonders, ONENESS, a sense of unity with the world around us, can provide a profound and liberating form of freedom, added Praveen. His ridiculous talks poke others and such is his interpretation. Imagine you’re like a piece of a gigantic cosmic puzzle. You used to think you did not belong anywhere, like a lost sock. But then, you discover that you’re the missing piece in this mind-blowing puzzle called the universe. It's like finding your perfect fit! Now, the universe isn't as quiet as library; it's more like a lively party. Stars, planets, and even black holes are all characters in this cosmic play, and they have a sense of humour. It’s like attending the funniest comedy show ever. So, this “oneness” thing is like realising you’re part of the coolest cosmic club. You’re not alone; it's like getting an all-access pass to the best gig in the universe! And when the universe hands you that pass, it's a special kind of freedom. You’re free to be yourself, have a blast, and be part of something way bigger than you ever imagined. It's like living life with a big smile and a universe-sized sense of belonging. This interpretation is well understood by Meenakshi that oneness can offer a unique form of freedom, one that extends beyond individual desires and encompasses abroad your sense of unity, purpose, and interconnectedness with the world. It provides emotional, spiritual, and social liberation, allowing individuals experience profound sense of freedom that goes beyond the constraints of individuality.

Meanwhile, Meenakshi who is pursuing Bhagavad-Gita reminds that chapter 16 includes a verse about FEARLESSNESS, which is the state of freedom from concern for present and future miseries. Inordinate attachment of any kind causes fear. Detachment and surrender to God vanquish all fear from the heart. Immediately, Gangadhar jumped in claiming that FEARLESS MIND is the true state of freedom. He continued briefing that at the age of 20, his grandmother decided to pursue higher education, a path rarely chosen by women of her era. She faced skepticism and resistance from her family and the society around her. However, her mind was fearless, driven by strong desire for independence. She not only completed her education but went on to become a successful teacher, inspiring generations of students with her passion for learning. Over time, she fought for women’s rights, advocating for equal opportunities, and challenging societal norms.

From among the friends, Ashwin exclaimed, “this story by Gangadhar is the testament to the power of a fearless mind”. He said that COURAGE is the essential quality when pursuing freedom. In the face of adversity and challenges, courage is the fuel that propels individuals forward on their quest for freedom. It takes the courage to break free from the constraints of fear, doubt, and societal expectations. Together courage and fearless mind create a powerful synergy. They enable individuals to confront limitations, face uncertainty, and challenge the status quo. When you are armed with courage, you are more likely to persevere through adversity, make bold choices, and ultimately achieve the kind of freedom that aligns with your desires and values.      

Adding to this, Prasanna plunged in elucidating that living in alignment with one’s true nature is often seen as a form of freedom. In alignment with Prasanna, Anjum immediately added her cognition on freedom articulating that “when you can authentically express who you are, your beliefs, values, and desires, it can lead to a profound sense of freedom and fulfilment”. Ramya vehemently reveals her idea that earning such a power to think, speak and act without any restraints is true sense of freedom. This type of freedom is about BEING TRUE TO YOURSELF and not conforming to external expectations or societal pressures. Sapna reveals related opinion that being unstoppable and ability to express without any restrictions is the basic sense of freedom. They meant to say that freedom is embracing your individuality and making choices that resonate with your core identity.

As the friends continued their discussions about freedom, Ramya interprets that choosing what you want to do is internal freedom but having to go to work hard every day because you may owe the bank either for loans or mortgage, thus get tied-up and then you lack external freedom. So, to live in a social setting you may not have entire or absolute freedom. Meenakshi noted that, while some finds freedom in self-expression, others may define it differently, such as through financial independence, adventure, or creative pursuits. It just provides flexibility to make choices and decisions in life, reduces stress and anxiety associated with economic hardships and can open a wide range of opportunities. Meenakshi believed till then that money can guarantee a free life. After healthier brainstorming, she could conclude that financial stability or independence can contribute significantly to a sense of freedom, but it doesn't guarantee entirely. Financial stability mainly addresses the practical and material aspects of freedom, but freedom encompasses many aspects of life including personal, emotional, intellectual, and social aspects. And true freedom is also about making choices that align with your values and passions. For example, some people may find freedom in simplicity while others may value more luxurious lifestyles, it depends on individual preferences and priorities. Also, external factors such as health, relationships and societal norms can impact one’s sense of freedom. Financial stability can provide safety net, but it cannot shield you from all external influences.

Substantially, FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE or stability is a valuable aspect of freedom, but it should be balanced with other factors like personal fulfilment, healthy relationships, an emotional well-being to achieve a holistic sense of freedom. True freedom is a complex and multidimensional concept that varies from person to person based on their individual values and circumstances.

Whoa! A great deeper discussion exclaimed Ramya, but Rekha impartially conveys that for a given person, there is no straightforward answer, it can be freedom from responsibilities, freedom from family, freedom from fears, and the list goes… She expresses that there are some things in life where your choices and your awareness to your surroundings makes a big difference but the complexity of cause and effect in human interactions is beyond her comprehension. Finally, conveyed that she don’t want to over-analyze. Meenakshi caught hold of Rekha’s insights and emanated that, “NOT OVER-ANALYZING THINGS” can be a pathway to freedom. It reduces stress (freedom from constant mental turmoil), promotes spontaneity (freedom from rigid thinking), enhances enjoyment (freedom in being fully engaged with life), boosts creativity (freedom in exploring new possibilities and solutions), and improves relationships (social freedom). Basically, simplifying your thought process and not over thinking allows you to live more in the moment, make decisions more freely, enjoy life with greater ease and authenticity. It's a form of mental freedom that can lead to a more relaxed and fulfilling life.  

Prem Kumar proclaimed that ENTHUSIASM COUPLED WITH ACCEPTANCE is the way to freedom. Sriya reveals her opinion that BEING AT PEACE WITH OUR DECISIONS is very closely related to a sense of freedom because it signifies a state of contentment and self-acceptance. Both their opinions are very much related. When we make choices that align with your beliefs and values, you find peace with those decisions and thus free from emotional turmoil and inner conflict. Emotional liberation is a form of freedom from self-doubt and regret. According to Prem, accepting whatever had already happened and accepting what is not in our hands is the basic sense of freedom. Forgetting things, being enthusiastic and ready for positive things to happen in your life without any negative thought process is what leads to freedom.

Santosh, finally says handling or MANAGING TIME effectively can be a pathway to a unique form of freedom. It enhances productivity, reduces stress, and provides flexibility in daily activities, allowing you to allocate more time to personal interests and hobbies. Achieving your goals becomes more attainable, resulting in essence of accomplishment and freedom from feeling stuck. Additionally, effective time management helps create a work life balance that can lead to a greater sense of freedom in your daily routine, giving you more control over how you spend your time.

Pratap, says he found his unique path to freedom within the hustle and bustle of his tightly scheduled days, indicating that BEING BUSY can lead to freedom when it’s purposeful, structured and aligned with your goals and values.

Eventually Meenakshi and her friends marvelled at how their diverse paths to freedom had unfolded. Each friend’s story and narration about self-expression, true love, fearless mind, oneness, acceptance, or even effective time management, had contributed to their unique sense of liberation. The friends realised that the beauty of freedom was that it could take many forms, and they celebrated the richness of their collective experiences. Their brainstorming had sparked a tapestry of insights, reminding them that freedom, ultimately, was a personal journey, woven from the threads of their individual passions, dreams and values. Together, they cherished the depth of their friendship and the newfound understanding that freedom could be as diverse and colourful as life itself.

Thank You,

Malathi B