FREEDOM

 

Freedom is the absence of internal or external obstacles towards the fulfillment of our highest possible needs or happiness.

 

Happiness is a state we experience when our needs are fulfilled and we do not feel the pressure or pain of an unfulfilled need. A need can be physical, material, emotional, social, mental or spiritual. We can be just as unhappy because our emotional or spiritual needs are not being fulfilled as we can when our physical needs are not being fulfilled.

 

Our needs may also concern what we want for others such as our family, friends, society, the environment and the planet.

 

Our needs can be satisfied by ourselves, by others or by the ?Universe? God or ?Life?. When our needs are not satisfied, we feel pain, hurt, unhappiness, injustice, bitterness, disillusionment, discouraged, betrayed, depressed, angry and even hateful and revengeful towards those we believe are obstructing us.

 

When our needs are satisfied, we feel happy, safe, grateful and loving towards those who help us.

 

?Freedom? is the ability to direct our energies without obstruction towards the fulfillment of all of the above-mentioned categories of needs.

 

We can divide the obstacles to freedom into external and internal. In the end, however, we will see that they are all internal because an external obstacle can limit our freedom only if we fear the consequences of ignoring those external pressures or threats such as what others think or losing our job. In reality our only obstacles to freedom, happiness and love are fear and guilt and of course our beliefs that we are not free. 

 

Freedom to Natural Rights

 

One type of freedom we all seek is the freedom to the natural rights of every human being – without exception.  (Except perhaps for those who temporarily loose a few of those rights because they have misused their freedom in ways that are dangerous to others and thus live in prison.)

1. Freedom to move freely from place to place without obstruction from the ruling powers.
2. Freedom to think, believe and express ourselves in the ways that we are guided from within. 
3. Religious, spiritual and political freedom.
4. Freedom to have equal opportunities to work, create and express ourselves.
5. Equal opportunities for education, work, economic development and expression.
6. Equal opportunities to fulfill basic needs such as food, housing, water and transportation.
7. Freedom to gather with others for the purpose of exploring common interests.
8. Equal treatment and protect by the systems of law, health and education.
9. Freedom of expression.

 

Freedom vs. others˘ rights and needs.

 

It is logical and lawful that our freedoms should never create harm to others. Thus all of our freedoms are subject to the basic prerequisite that we never do to someone what we would not like them to do to us. Thus we are free to express ourselves as we feel, but with the prerequisite that we do not treat them in ways that we would not like them to treat to us.

 

This brings up the basic question of whether we are talking about, ?freedom for the personality or for the soul?? There are times when our soul has different needs from those of our personality. Some of our personality˘s needs are: security, pleasure, affirmation, power, acceptance, acknowledgment, wealth, possessions, superiority and others. Our personality needs these so much that it is often willing to ignore possible consequences to others and the environment. Our personality is very much isolated and sometimes alienated and easily forgets our ultimate oneness with all. Thus it is capable in the name ?freedom to satisfy its needs? to make decisions that are harmful to others and the environment and eventually to its own self.

 

This is why human freedom is only now after so many centuries gradually appearing as an important factor in human consciousness.  Our history until now has been one of very little freedom for the common person. This freedom is still lacking in many parts of the world that are still ruled by dictators. Another factor leading to freedom today is that of economic freedom, which allows many people access to many needs they would have never fulfilled in the past. Until now we have not had the emotional mental and spiritual maturity to use our freedom in ways that are simultaneously beneficial to us, others and the environment. This requires spiritual clarity, less alienation and greater identification with others and the whole. Only then can we use our freedom in ways that will actually bring us the happiness we seek.

 

We are now being given the opportunity to wisely use this new gift of freedom with clarity, love and wisdom.

 

Reactionary ?Freedom?

 

Another problem is that we have been programmed to believe that others - the government, our spouses our parents and other outside forces are what limit us, suppress us and prevent us from being able to have what we need. This is especially true if we have been subject to suppressing or restrictive forces and as children.

 

We then tend to associate freedom with certain activities such as.

1. Being ?free? to eat whatever we want and whenever we want.
2. Being ?free? to spend as much money as we like.
3. Being ?free? to smoke and drink as much as we like.
4. Being ?free? to do whatever we want regardless of how that affects others.
5. Being ?free? to have sexual contact with whomever we want.
6. Being ?free? to say no when others request something from us.
7. Being ?free? to ignore others needs.
8. Being ?free? to break the rules and ignore the laws.
9. Being ?free? not to work when we are supposed to.
10. Being ?free? not to do what is being asked of us.
11. Being ?free?  from responsibilities and their possible consequences.

 

Confusion about Freedom

 

These ?reactionary freedoms? obviously not real freedoms. Real freedom in many cases would be the opposite. For example

1. The freedom to eat what really serves my health.
2. Freedom to use our money in ways that actually bring long term happiness.
3. Freedom to not smoke and not drink so that we may create greater health and happiness.
4. Freedom from subconscious reactionary energies based on the past so that I can feel oneness with others and behave in ways that benefit myself and others simultaneously.
5. Freedom to use our sexuality in ways that really creates meaningful and lasting love relationships.
6. Freedom to be able to say ?yes? when we would really like to respond to someone˘s need.
7. Freedom to respect others needs in a way that we would like them to respect ours.
8. Freedom to respect and abide by laws that are there to protect the whole and create social equality and harmony
9. Freedom to work conscientiously with love as I would like someone working for us to do.
10. Freedom to respond with love towards those who request something from us.
11. Freedom to take on responsibilities and enjoy our creative abilities without fear of failure or consequences. 

 

The Reality of Freedom.

 

The reality is that we are and always have been free to do what we haven chosen in each case. This is because in every moment we have made and are making decisions based on our needs, fears and programmings. We are never actually being suppressed by others. We are being suppressed by our needs, fears, beliefs, programmings and attachments. These are the forces that suppress us and cause us to make choices out of guilt or fear and then feel that we are not free and being suppressed.

 

We can be ?forced? or ?pressured? to do something we do not want to do, or not do something we want to do, only if we fear the possible consequences if we do not ?comply?.  We might fear being rejected, or losing someone˘s love. Or perhaps losing our job or some source of income. We might fear reprisal from the others if we do not do what they want. Or we might feel that we are not good persons if we do not do what we are supposed to do.

 

In all of these cases, we have the freedom of choosing to loose their love, our job or risk being harmed, rather than do something we do not agree with or that does not coincide with our values, beliefs or needs. The fact that we chose to do otherwise is a ?free choice?. We have ?sacrificed our freedom? or ?traded our freedom? in order to protect our self-worth, security or some other need. We could have chosen otherwise. In a way we are using others as much as they are using us. We are behaving in a way so as to get what we need or want or are addicted to from them. There is a mutual ?barter? going on. We give them what they want in order to get what we want.

 

Christ and Socrates were order to stop teaching or die. They did not barter. They chose to continue to teach because they did not fear the consequences. They chose death over restriction. We too have this type of freedom once we eliminate our various fears and other emotions that cause us to actually ?suppress ourselves.?

 

An important result of the realization that we are free to not do what the powers around us (parents, spouse, children, profession society, religions, government) are dictating is the ability then to choose to do what we are being asked out of love and understanding rather than out of fear.

 

There are two possible lessons when we feel an inner conflict because we are ?supposed? to do something or not do something.

 

One possible lesson might be to overcome our fears and lack of self-worth and realize that we are free do as we are being motivated from within. In such a case we can work with various methods such as EFT, Sedona, Freeze Frame etc. to change how we perceive this and feel safe in following our heart.

 

Another possibility is that we need to let go of addictions, programmings, beliefs and fears concerning our freedom and be able to do what is being asked of us with love – with no trace of suppression or resentment. In this case our growth lies in transcending – perhaps with the same techniques – all obstacles to being able to do with love what is being asked.

 

Both paths are valuable and we need to be able to determine what our lesson is in each case. One way to do that is to imagine ourselves making separately the first choice and then the second and observe how we feel inside. Determine which choice feels better – happier, more full of joy and love. Another way is to seek to understand the motives and needs that lead us to each choice. Fear is not a good guide. Love and happiness are.

 

Often just realizing that we are free not to do ?what we have / are supposed to do?, allows us to use our freedom to actually do it. An example is a woman I know who did not want to visit her husband˘s  relatives after her husband˘s soul departed. She was being pressure by them that, as a proper widow, she should visit them every Sunday. She hated and resented this very much but feared what everyone would say if she did not comply. (Also they considered her responsible, because her husband had committed suicide).

 

After about fifteen minutes of EFT on her fear of not going, she was free from this fear and felt free not to visit them. After around five minutes of discussion, I asked her to close her eyes and decide what she wanted to do now that she was free no to go. She answered, ?You know now I want to go, because I feel their pain and want to help them.?

 

This is a very important fact. When we feel that we have no choice – that we ?must? do something, we feel pressure, suppressed and angry. When we realize we are free, we can then do the same thing with love and a sense of freedom.

 

Thus the fact that everything we do is actually a free choice is an extremely important truth to remember. All of our life we have been making free choices either to give up our freedom to get what we want from other or not give our freedom and do as we really believe and need. No one else was ever responsible for those choices. No one today –expect ourselves – is responsible for those choices.

 

When we realize this, we can confront our fears of complying and of not complying.

 

What are some of those fears and other obstacles? 

 

These are our true suppressors.

 

1. Fear about what others think about us and our loved ones.
2. Fear of losing our money or source of income.
3. Fear of failing at some effort.
4. Fear of being wrong.
5. Fear of being alone in life.
6. Fear of death.
7. Fear of rejection or criticism.
8. Feelings of unworthiness and the fear that we are not worthy to have what we need or want.
9. Addictions to certain habits or substances such as smoking, drinking, certain food substances.
10. Addictions to certain emotional states or entanglement such as conflict, rejection, anger, hurt being the victim and many others.
11. The need for acceptance and love from certain persons or role models.
12. Various beliefs, programming and taboos about what we are allowed to do and have.
13. Beliefs about what we are capable of manifesting. 
14. The role of the victim and unhappy one, which does not allow us to have what we want, because then we would not be the victim or unhappy.
15. Fear of punishment if we do not do what others want.
16. Fear that we will loose our self-worth if we do want the others want.
17. Fear that if we do what others request of us, then we am not free.
18. Fear of saying ?no?.
19. Fear of saying ?yes?.
20. Fear of expressing needs and desires.
21. Feeling weak and unworthy if we express needs or desires.

 

 

Our true freedom can be gained by overcoming this inner obstacles. Then we can be honest with ourselves and free either to say ?no? to external forces or say ?yes? with love and understanding.

 

What are those possible ?understandings? that might help us.

 

1. We live in a family / society in which our every act and behavior has an effect on the whole. We can choose to abide by laws and rules that we perceive and agree are for the greater good, even when they might not coincide with our temporary needs or desires at a particular moment. This is a form of emotional, mental and spiritual maturity.

 

2. We multiply what we would like to do by one million and ask if today one million people did that, what would be the result. (such as throw trash from the car, double park, step in front of others in line, not pay our taxes, build illegally.) Freedom requires maturity and social consciousness.)

 

3. We lovingly avoid doing anything to anyone we would not like them to do to us.

 

4. We put myself in the other˘s position and imagine how he or she feels – or what he or she needs at this moment.

 

5. We remember that we are souls in the process of evolution at that there are times that our personality wants or fears something that as souls we perceive differently. This brings up again the question, ?freedom for the soul or the personality.?

 

As personalities we desire fulfillment of the temporary needs of the body and mind – usually so that we can feel safe, worthy, pleasure, powerful or in control. As souls we desire freedom from those needs and a sense of inner self-worth, security and power that allows us real freedom to be and do what really allows our growth and evolution.

 

Inner conflicts and Freedom

 

Thus the problem of inner conflicts where one part of ourselves wants to do something and another does not. For example one part want to diet, stop smoking, leave a job, meditate daily, wake up earlier, create a relationship, forgive someone, start a new profession, move to a new location, or any thing else, while another part of ourselves fears or feels suppressed by these possible actions. In such a case we are simultaneously the suppressed  and suppressor.

 

Such conflicts of needs also attract behaviors, comments and pressures from others that simply reflect the forces conflicting within us. In such cases we feel that others are pressuring us or conflicting with us, when in fact they are just external manifestation of our own inner conflicts.

 

It is important to understand that the apparent external pressures will disappear when we resolve our inner conflict. How to do this is explained in detail in my book Saram. A start would be to observe understand, accept and love both sides of ourselves and allow them to communicate in an attempt to find a common solution.

 

Release of childhood experiences and assumptions will help in this process, as will EFT, Sedona, Listening to our Heart and other techniques.

 

We are free souls and we create our lives with our choices. When we make choices based on programming, addiction, guilt and fear, then we willfully barter our freedom for feelings of security and self-worth. When we internalize those needs and feel inner security and inner self-worth, then we will make choices based on love and real freedom.

 

?No? and ?Yes? with Love

 

As shown in the example above, In order to be able to say yes, some of us need first to be able to say ?no?. This means that we need to be able to feel secure and worthy when we have examined what is being asked and we feel that ?no? is the appropriate answer for reasons that we have considered. To do so means getting free from beliefs that we will loose the others˘ love and acceptance if we do not do what they ask. This is a very common belief logically developed from our childhood years.

 

But let us ask ourselves, ?do we want others to do what we request because they fear losing our love? Do we want them to suppress themselves and be unhappy doing what we want and not what they want? Will we loose our love for them if they do not do what we want? If the answer here is yes, then we logically fear losing their love. If we can continue loving others even when they cannot or do not want to do what we want, then we too deserve to continue being loved by them, when we cannot respond to their needs from time to time.

 

Think about it. Do we want their love and acceptance if we can have it only by suppressing ourselves and doing only what they want? Do we want such love? Is that love?

 

Actually in most cases, we will continued to be loved by others – perhaps after a period of tension because they feel hurt that we are not complying with their needs. Love most often prevails. It is only our fear of rejection and perhaps our lack of love and acceptance for ourselves that suppress us in such a case.

 

Thus we can learn to feel free to say ?no? with love, rather than with anger – because we are feeling defensive and expecting rejection or an attack from the other. The more peacefully and lovingly we can say ?no? the less likely the other is to react negatively. In such cases it is also very important to express to the other that we love them and want them to be happy and would like to give them what they need, but cannot or choose not to at this moment for the following reasons?

 

Feeling comfortable saying ?no? with love is based however on our ability to being able to hear ?no? with love. If we cannot, then it will be difficult to learn this lesson.

 

Then we are much more free to say ?yes? with love because, as we have seen, being able to say ?no? with love opens us up to the possibility of saying ?yes? with love.

 

What then is Freedom?

 

Freedom is the absence of fear.

Freedom is the absence of addiction.

Freedom is the absence of hope and need.

Freedom is based on inner security, self-worth and fulfillment.

Freedom is born from love and allows love.

 

 

 

 

Freedom then is the ability to make choices based on what really serves our needs as souls in the process of evolution. This is possible when we realize that we are always actually free and that every action, sacrifice and self-suppression has been a free choice.