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In the last article, we are aware that freedom means differently to different people. The word ‘freedom’ requires deep exploration. There are boundaries to freedom – one’s actions should not hurt others in the pursuit of freedom. For example, when we insult someone in the name of freedom of speech, we may feel a sense of no restriction, but in fact we don’t have any real freedom. To insult someone is to be dominated by egoistic emotions! Where’s the freedom in that? When we fight, compete or go into conflict, do we do so for the sake of freedom or to lose our freedom to our own ego?

From a Buddhist perspective, freedom begins with letting go of the egoistic ‘I’, ‘me’ and ‘mine’. This is what creates true freedom and happiness. True freedom is when one has the ability to remain free mentally and emotionally, even there’s chaos outside. True freedom is when one can stay calm amidst the storm and can adjust their sail according to the wind. True freedom is having the ability to manage one’s inner self.

When the arrogant ‘I’, the low self-esteem ‘I’, the obsessive ‘I’ and the self-centred ‘I’ have disappeared, there is nobody and nothing to grasp or to cling on. The Buddha taught that grasping gives rise to greed, hatred and delusion, which are the three roots to all sufferings. Thus, when the obsession with self in all its form disappears, life is released!

The means of doing this is the Noble Eightfold Path – Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. Following the Noble Eightfold Path, we live morally, we establish integrity, we quiet the mind, and we learn to see with wisdom. With wisdom, we move through life with a peaceful heart that is happy and free of greed, hatred and delusion. That is true freedom!

Do you know that the month of August is also known as the National Month? This is because 31st August is our National Day and usually its celebration starts from the beginning of August with various programs and national competitions. It is done to commemorate the day when our country gained its FREEDOM from the British colonial administration more than sixty years ago. So, let’s take time this month to reflect on freedom and what it means to us.

The topic of freedom is everywhere – many people talk about freedom, demand freedom, struggle for freedom and even fight for freedom. This shows that people desire freedom and many haven’t found it yet. Lack of freedom is definitely one source of a great deal of suffering or dukkha.

Mankind aspire to freedom, but the concept itself has many different meanings, depending on where one is standing and his angle of perspective. Here are some examples of what freedom means to some people.

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Do any of the examples resonate with you? Or do you have other meaning to freedom? To most people, freedom means the right to act, speak or think as one wants. It is a state of being free from restrictions – freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and the list goes on. WHAT DOES FREEDOM MEAN TO YOU PERSONALLY? Give it a thought and let us know in the comment section below. We would love to hear from you.

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Read the next article here.

In this talk, Sis Carol shared with us that everything is actually an illusion! This jaw-dropping fact was already taught by the Buddha two thousand five hundred years ago and this is in line with Quantum Physics latest discoveries! To support this fact, Sis Carol shared with us the verses of some suttas, as well as some findings of Quantum Physics.

You may gasp in disbelief and think to yourself – how is it that everything seem so real? She explained that this is due to the four seeds in our consciousness that make us believe that our body and everything around us are real. What are the four seeds? How should you treat life, then? How do we awaken from this illusion? If you have missed the live talk “Veil of Illusions – Illusions & Bubbles”, here is your chance to unravel these questions. Listen to the talk now on Facebook or Youtube!