True independence

US celebrates their independence day on 4^th of July. Indians celebrate their independence day on 15^th August. Similarly most of the countries in the world celebrate freedom in one form or other. The celebration of freedom signifies the deep inherent desire of every human being which doesn’t want to be controlled by any restrictions. Many of the fortunate societies have attained freedom from dictatorship or imperialism or other forms of suppression. But, let’s talk about the true freedom for an individual being.

From dawn till dusk, from childhood till death, all the living beings strive for happiness, true long lasting peaceful pleasantness, but remain unfulfilled. During childhood, the child thinks that he will be happy when he grows up; during school days, the student thinks that he will be happy when he goes to college; During college, the student thinks that he will be happy after getting job; After getting job the young man or woman thinks that he or she will be happy after getting a companion; After getting companion, the couple thinks that they will be happy after building the family and settling down with a lot of wealth. Somehow, the modern man have related his happiness to the material success. May be this search or desire for future happiness somehow bind us naturally and hold us back from experiencing liberty at every moment of our life, in present.

We are all bounded by our desires – desire to accumulate more wealth, desire to have big house, desire to live a luxurious life than our neighbor, desire to be a good parent or a good spouse and million other desires. Even though most of the world is now free- free to take their own decisions, free to travel, free to earn livelihood of their choice. But still, at individual level, we are all bounded by our desires. This habit of always chasing momentary happiness, keeps us away from experiencing the real freedom.

The contemporary man keeps on running here and there in search of happiness just like the musk deer which continue to chase for the pleasing scent throughout the life in the forest. But the poor deer doesn't know that the source of the charming scent lies within the center of its own stomach. Even though the deer is free to roam around anywhere in the forest, but is still bounded by his desire to find the source of scent.

Similar is the state of modern day human. Even though we live in a free society, still we are bounded from 9 AM till late night by our responsibilities and our desires. By being dependent on the outer world for our happiness, one cannot taste the true freedom. True freedom can only be experienced when we become totally free of our desires- desire to accomplish something or desire to know something or desire to reach somewhere. In that state of real freedom one finds answers to all his questions and one becomes free of all kind of fears – even the fear of death. Those who found real freedom, found it by becoming independent – IN dependent. Meaning - dependent on the one who is within – your own eternal blissful Consciousness – your own true Self – your own pure Soul. The art of experiencing true freedom by becoming IN-dependent is what true spirituality is all about – to look within for long lasting Supreme peace and highest form of happiness. Finding and experiencing the real meaning of freedom is the goal of human life.