4. Reach For Freedom, Don'T Search For It!

In our lifetime, we all have one common hobby. It is to search for freedom.

Everything we do is a search for the ultimate, true freedom. Even when we search or seek money or wealth, it is another manifestation of the search for that elusive, complete freedom. We reason that if we have more money, we have more choices. We think money will buy us bigger and better choices, bigger and more luxurious house, car, and more comforts. We think that we have more choice.

In our struggle and our journey we forget that choice is not freedom. The search for the choices is the search for freedom.

It is natural for us to seek freedom. Because, freedom from bondage is our true nature. In Sanskrit, we call it Svabhāva Swatantraka, free by nature. Freedom is our true nature. Everything else has been acquired by us in our mistaken belief. It stays because we hold on to it.

Why then, we wonder, are we bound by so many rules, regulations and we live like a bonded slave? Be clear. The entire society is actually struggling. We are all, each one of us, are working, struggling, towards freedom. That is why, breaking a rule, even for a brief time, gives us enormous satisfaction.

By nature, we are Nithya Mukta. These Sanskrit words mean eternally free. We are free by nature, we are eternally free. We never want to be caged! We never want to be bound by any rule. We don't want to be slave of any rule! Any rule, when we don't understand the roots of, but internalize it as right or wrong to follow the rule, will create guilt in us. Any rule can create this. A rule interferes with our eternal aspiration for freedom. Everything we struggle with in our life is just a struggle for our freedom.

Rules of the society, the morality, are imposed upon us. Rules of the society are imposed upon willing and the unwilling alike. On our part, we tolerate the rules.

We are waiting to break the rules by constantly testing the limits of the rule. If the rules are rigid, we turn to avenge the people who imposed the rules upon us.

Understand our true nature. Understand that no one is tying us to any rule. We don't have to search for something that is within our grasp. We only need to reach out for the freedom. Understand and express the freedom that is our true nature.