India just celebrated 80th Independence Day. For the Christian Catholic community, August 15th is also the commemoration day of the assumption of Mary, mother of Jesus. India became a free country on that day. Still, are we truly a free people. In the conceptual level ‘Freedom’ can have endless definitions. For many it is discerning or acting as per one’s desire without any external restriction. For some it is financial autonomy, and for some others it is relief from mental or moral restrictions, and yet for some others it is the ultimate deliverance from the clutches of this universe – total liberation.
We often take the word ‘independence’ as a synonym for ‘freedom’. That can be confusing. It actually signifies the ability to make choices and take actions based on one’s own values and judgments. It means having the liberty to clear one’s life-path, pursue goals, and overcome challenges without undue reliance on others. Independence also involves responsibility and accountability for one’s actions and decisions. It is there that one respects one’s own autonomy while also valuing and acknowledging the role of others.
Man is always in search of freedom and independence. In the mother’s womb, in the family, in the school, in the educational institutions, in the retirement home and in every other imaginable situation he is always reliant on others. And, therefore, this hankering for freedom of movement, freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom from the familial bonds, freedom from authorities and superiors, financial freedom, political freedom etc. Even after satisfying all these, are we free? In fact, these are the various expressions of freedom of the body and freedom of the mind.
True freedom relies on the Absolute, whom we call God. Absolute freedom depends upon one’s relationship with the Absolute and in the conscious observance of personal duties and responsibilities one received from the Ultimate Truth. In other words, absolute freedom depends upon one’s relationship with the Absolute, intertwined with personal responsibilities. Raphel Ellison ones said, ‘when I discover who I am, I will be free.’ In the Bible Jesus says, ‘you will know the truth and Truth shall make you free’ (Jn. 8: 32). The palmist sang: “Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.” (Psalm 118: 5). These words relate to one’s interior freedom.
If one is free and independent interiorly, the core of ones being rests responsibility, fearlessness, compassion, non-judgemental approach etc. Fearlessness here means the fearlessness in losing one’s possessions, being detached, giving up, external opinions and perhaps losing one’s life for a genuine purpose. Freedom can be absolute only when it is pivoted on responsibility, for which fearlessness is the mode, being non-judgemental is the manner. This leads one to the awareness or consciousness…This leads one to responsibility.
That being the case, can we confidently say we are independent or enjoy real freedom? To tell the truth, a major part of India’s population, knowingly or unknowingly, is misusing the freedom that was handed over by the martyrs of Indian freedom. The people in governance never consider themselves responsible for every action they take, which may build or break the country. When irresponsible people become leaders, bribing and corruption will abound. A person of elevated mind, a person of real responsibility, a person who is enjoying the freedom in its absolute sense will take up the task of liberating others as his responsibility. So, although we may appear to be free, we are not free; not free from the powers that be who are only concerned about filling their pocket and their support base. No progress can happen until an inner awakening arises in us about owning up responsibility for what we do: ‘I am responsible for the building up of a strong nation, I am a part of the whole.’ A man who enjoys inner freedom will never follow the path of corruption. He will hold himself responsible for every action he takes. If one understands freedom on the basis of responsibility, one will never misuse freedom and independence.
As and when one allows freedom to dive deeper into one’s own being, freedom will find a new definition altogether. Great reformers, leaders and humanitarians lived a life of inner freedom with responsibility. Their actions, thoughts and words came from the conviction that their vast potential should be used for the benefit of humanity. We are expected to live a life of absolute freedom, a life of self-responsibility, extricating ourself from the bondage of politics, prejudices, cravings, desires, the ego, religion etc, because that is the only way we can enjoy absolute freedom – Liberation. It is a moment of our tryst with destiny, which makes us think “We are responsible for whatever we are.”
