Spiritual Freedom !
All the different types of freedom that fasten upon some
external conditions must, in their very nature, exist within
certain limits. For the freedom that an individual or
community or state seeks must be consistent with a similar
freedom for other individuals, communities or states.
National, economic, religious or cultural freedom expresses
itself in and by means of the duality of existence. It lives
on duality and is sustained by duality; therefore it has to be
relative and limited and cannot be infinite. It exists in
varying degrees. Even when it is won through persistent
effort, it cannot be a permanent attainment, since the
external conditions having once been secured are not secured
forever but are capable of deteriorating in the course of
time.
Only spiritual freedom is absolute and unlimited. When it is
won through persistent effort, it is secured forever. Though
spiritual freedom can and does express itself in and through
the duality of existence, it is grounded in the realization of
the inviolable unity of all life and is sustained by it. One
important condition of spiritual freedom is freedom from all
wanting. It is want that fetters life through attachment to
conditions that would fulfill that want; if there is no want,
there is no dependence or limitation. The soul is enslaved
through wanting. When the soul breaks asunder the shackles of
wanting, it emancipates itself from its bondage to the bodies
— gross, subtle and mental. This is the spiritual freedom that
brings with it the final realization of the unity of all life
and puts an end to all doubts and worries.
It is only in spiritual freedom that one can have abiding
happiness and unimpaired Self-knowledge. It is only in
spiritual freedom that there arises the supreme certainty of
Truth. It is only in spiritual freedom that there is the final
ending of sorrow and limitation. It is only in spiritual
freedom that one can live for all, and yet be detached in the
midst of all activities. Any lesser type of freedom is
comparable to a house built on sand, and any lesser type of
attainment is fraught with the fear of decay. Therefore there
is no gift greater than the gift of spiritual freedom, and
there is no task more important than the task of helping
others to achieve spiritual freedom. Those who have understood
the supreme importance of spiritual freedom have not only to
strive for it for themselves but also to share the God-given
duty of helping others with it.
COMMENTS / OPINIONS / SUGGESTIONS : ~
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