On Being Free

This is largely a material result and I see this as our “outer-freedom”. The other type of freedom is perhaps more ambiguous, and yet its effect is by far more significant. In terms of our overall happiness, our “inner-freedom” speaks more to our emotional independence or our ability to FEEL free without the subsidy of material wealth.

“Freedom within” can easily sever the shackles of the material world, but no amount of material freedom can heal the pain of emotional enslavement . . .

Freedom can be outer or inner – or ideally, both. But for my money, (excuse the pun) inner-freedom is the healthy pre-requisite for developing outer-freedom of any substance.

Outer-freedom on its own can be fickle and perhaps shallow at the best of times. While there is the semblance of independence, for those without inner-freedom, the quest for fulfilment creates a continuing dependence on material conditions. Whereas, for those with inner-freedom, gratitude for what is present is fulfilment enough.

The model of outer-freedom through financial gain is built on conformity and intellectual manipulation. For the majority of successes, the on-going maintenance of material wealth becomes little more than an addiction with numerous unhappy side effects. Ironically, the cost of this outer-freedom becomes a form of slavery to the material world!

Inner-freedom is the doorway to a more balanced approach to becoming free in the outer-world. The model of inner-freedom is self-awareness at all levels.

The key to Inner-freedom lies in our ability to make genuinely free choices. In order to do this we must be able to view and review our habits and behaviours objectively. I am a strong advocate of meditation when it comes to this. Practicing meditation has been underrated since its introduction to the west and I have found it to be a lifeline when it comes to self-understanding. I believe self-psychology is the best psychology. In the first place, it is paramount that we humans understand ourselves accurately. The ability to do this is activated through meditation.

Personal self-healing at a mental and emotional level is as much a vital human task as cleaning ones teeth.

I have gone as far as to simplify the traditional practice of meditation in order to preserve the qualities that allow the contemplation of self and the subsequent release of emotional attachment. “Simply Stillness” meditation is not a band aid or a quick fix. It is a journey of self-transformation under the direction of you – the meditator. I have added music to assist in the continuity of a deeply relaxed state and of course, for the enjoyment of your practice.

Inner-freedom amounts to our mental and emotional freedom. What shackles us are our beliefs and perceptions of “how life is” and our attachment to being right about that. Our perceptions of life can “make or break” us. Often they will say more about “who we are” than what we are observing, yet we will persist with the story that keeps us safe. Transformation occurs when we find a place within where we can surrender our stand . . .

In truth, it is not our perceptions that compromise our inner-freedom but our attachment to being right. The rigidity of this is what limits our vision to see only what we want to.

For many of us, our beliefs and associated perceptions were formed in the early years of our life. So can we really free ourselves from perceptions that are built on top of our psychological history? Is it possible to unravel everything we have ever learnt and every experience we have had?

We know we can’t change the past, but we can change our perception of it.

Changing our perceptions is the same as seeing things from an alternate point-of-view. But there are not just two points-of-view. There are as many viewpoints as there are people! Therefore truly changing our perception is about letting go of our attachment to ANY perception but to still consider everything – this is Freedom!

Being free of attachment is to allow any (and every) point of view to exist without feeling threatened – this is inner-freedom

To have Inner-Freedom is to be free of attachments

Try it . . .

Forgive your enemies
Love your disease
Let life be

And most of all . . . meditate

In love and peace
Jeffree