Freedom: Priceless or Worthless in our World?
Freedom: Priceless or Worthless in our World?
Throughout history, the concept of freedom has been a fundamental value that many have strived to protect and value above all else. However, the idea that freedom comes at a price is often over-looked or misunderstood. In this article, we will explore the nature of freedom, its true cost, and the need for eternal vigilance to maintain it.
The Price of Freedom
The Cost That’s Sometimes Unseen
In the opening lines, we see a profound truth: ‘Life it costs to much to pay attention so it now is the innocent lifez most accounted for as currency when dealing in freedoms.’ This statement encapsulates the often-overlooked cost of freedom. When freedom is traded, it often comes with a high price in terms of the lives lost or the sacrifices made. The innocent lives that are valued highly as currency in the process of securing and maintaining freedom highlight the true cost that lies within it.
Eternal Vigilance
To Be Free, Be Always On Guard
The second part of the text emphasizes the importance of constant vigilance in the pursuit of freedom: 'To be free you must constantly be on the alert for those who want to destroy your freedom and fight them off. Ideally you want to rid the world of them, take out the trash, and annihilate them so that they will never get in your way again.' This sentiment underscores the idea that freedom is not a static state but a dynamic one that requires continuous effort and vigilance. It highlights the need to stay alert, to be proactive in defending oneself and the freedom one cherishes from those who would seek to deprive us of it.
Historically, global events like revolutions and coups have shown that the fight for freedom is not a one-time battle but an ongoing struggle. The examples of how some have successfully eliminated threats to freedom, such as 'taking out the trash' or 'annihilating them,' also serve as cautionary tales. These are reminders of the enormity of the task and the necessity of relentless determination in the face of adversity.
The True Cost of Freedom
When Something Has a Price, It’s Not Free
The third part of the text presents a critical perspective: 'If something has a price it isn’t free and can't be freedom. In reality we are never free. We are always constrained.' This statement cuts to the heart of the matter, questioning the very notion of freedom as we commonly understand it. It suggests that true freedom can only exist when one is not bound by any constraints, be they internal or external. In the real world, however, we are constantly faced with limitations and restrictions of various kinds, both individual and societal.
The idea of freedom as an absolute concept is challenged here: 'We are never free. We are always constrained.' This observation resonates with the complex realities of our existence. Political, economic, and social constraints are inescapable, and thus true freedom is an elusive ideal. The search for freedom, therefore, must involve a continuous negotiation with these constraints, rather than an expectation of attaining a state of absolute uninhibited liberty.
Meditative Perspective on Freedom
Freedom: Beyond Material Constraints
The final section offers a unique and profound perspective: 'If your question is for someone with a little knowledge of Upanishads and other such Indian scriptures then the answer is simple: Freedom is FREE. No cost at all. You just have to get rid of Body consciousness. As long as you remain under the misconception that you are the body instead of the fact that it's your body, you are in bondage. Otherwise, you are free as the Self, Atman, you have been there and you will be here, never taken birth hence no death, no bondage.' This philosophical view presents freedom as something inherent within us, a state of being beyond the physical and material constraints. It suggests that our true self, the Atman or the Self, is free, and that the sense of bondage arises from our identification with the physical body.
According to this perspective, the ultimate freedom comes from recognizing and accepting our true, underlying self. This freedom is not dependent on external circumstances but rather on our own perceptions and beliefs. It promotes a deep meditative state where one transcends the limitations of the body and the mind.
Adage of a Provider
A Provider’s Role in Freedom
In the concluding thoughts, the article introduces an adage that ties back to the broader theme: 'Just the tortured existence of losing and having something stolen from you. The Ultimate loss of freedom is the loss of being capable of being Others’ Provider. Provider of health, wealth, and statements and a better. Adage.' This adage emphasizes the significance of being able to provide for oneself and others as a cornerstone of true freedom. It highlights that the deprivation of the capacity to be a provider—whether in terms of health, wealth, or meaningful contributions—leads to a profound loss of freedom.
This statement suggests that true freedom is not merely the absence of external constraints but also includes the ability to contribute positively to the lives of others. Being able to provide for oneself and others is seen as a fundamental aspect of personal agency and empowerment. It brings the idea of freedom full circle, linking it to the well-being and prosperity of the individual and the community.
Now, irrespective of how one interprets freedom, it is clear that it is both a deeply personal and societal value that requires ongoing attention and action. Whether seen as an unattainable ideal or a practical goal, the pursuit of freedom should be a continuous journey of awareness, vigilance, and action, both individually and collectively.