Chapter 46 Freedom

Life on this planet is full of restrictions. Physical laws govern our everyday actions, they restrict our movements and they define the way we live. But the possibilities within those physical  restrictions are endless. Think of it this way: the keys on a piano restrict pianists ; however, the music they can create is limitless.So would it really make sense for them to wish for a longer keyboard, more arms, or extra fingers?
Do they really need to break free of the restrictions when they can do so escape when all the freedom we need is within them? Life's the same: we try so hard to escape when all the freedom we need is within.

For many of us freedom is the licence to do what we want, when we want - without repercussions. For example, we want the freedom to turn up for work at any time. We want the freedom to turn up for work at any time. we want the freedom to turn up for work at anytime. We want  the freedom to say what we please, when we please, when we please. We want the freedom to smoke or toke. But is that what being free is really about? Not at all. True freedom comes from within. An external authority doesn't grant it. What really comes  from within. An external authority doesn't grant it. What really matters is freedom from mental habits: impulses, unhealthy thinking and the drive of habitual behavior.

You see, a desire fro freedom is often a desire to be free of pain. Look closely at your vices, bad habits or addictions and you'll notice they are attempts to avoid unpleasant feelings. We think if we live life freely, going after any pleasant experience, any excitement, perhaps we won't have to feel pain. And we fear a lack of freedom because it might restrict our ability to pursue pleasure and avoid discomfort. We're all looking for freedom from suffering. But most of us are looking in the wrong places. Paradoxically, it's in the freedom from pain we need to learn how to face it. We need to look inward not outward.

It's a bumpy road. Life has many ups and downs. And it's human nature to want to control the lows. In fact most of our life is geared towards managing the dips, and the discomfort that comes with them. But trying to control pain is like trying to stop the tide of an ocean with your hands. You can't hold it back, but you can learn to ride the waves.