Free

The rains were with us last night and today, the sun is trying to break through. The temperature sits at 56 degrees fahrenheit. Today is Sunday.

The idea of being free is alluring. People who talk about freedom and a desire to be free are often not realizing what a heavy thing it is to be "free.". This is becuase there are so many things that one must take responsibility for in this way of being - all kinds of decisions have to be made, training is required, and capacity to let go of the pettiness and insecurity inside - completely - is the state that one must be in so that being free can be truly experienced. And ultimately, being willing to face demise at any turn is what is required.

Being a part of community, society, a family, a political group, any identity group - means one cannot possibly be free. Don't confuse freedom with being a spoiled person who just wants to do whatever they want, whenever they want without regard to the effect on others. That's called hedonism. Don't confuse freedom with being self-centered to the point of being destructive to all things and beings around you. And don't confuse freedom with being in a state of mind that is blurred and complicated, even as the body moves however it wishes. Being ecstatic about the imagination of there being no boundaries is not being free.

Freedom and being "free' is a huge challenge for all of us. We might think it's what we want. But is it? One has to consider whether they possess all the skills required to live freely, rich or poor. If the skills are not there, freedom can be miserable. In even the simplest form of living - having shelter and food - there are many things one must do to ensure these will be in place in today's world.

Because we have not cultivated caring for the vulnerable, one cannot be vulnerable, or free.

Freedom is beyond being able to do whatever one wants. Those who make the mistake of thinking that freedom is simply not having any responsibilities are the ones who often end up harming others in the process of exercising their idea of being free.

Horses run free, wild animals are free, birds are free - but humans? Never. It takes a lifetime of training and sacrifice to achieve freedom. It has nothing to do with money or status or access - those things allow for survival.

Think about it: What is so great about being free as a human? Do you know anyone who is truly free? People read books on the subject, attend seminars and workshops led by others who offer freedom from (name your burden), and still others think they can realize it through ingesting mind-altering drugs. Fantasy.

To be in a complete state of freedom may not even be possible in the times in which we live. The only way is deep training, silence - then a possibility may arise.