Freedom (svādhīnatā)
hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~
namasté
Nothing captures one’s imagination as the notion of freedom. Wars come-and-go predicated upon securing this freedom for the individual and society.
It seems to be part of our DNA. When someone suggests that we are not free it strikes a nerve and many come to the conclusion,
‘well then, what’s the use ? What’s the use of doing what we do if we are not free? If we are being guided, cajoled, managed, or ‘pushed’ into conditions and results that
really have little to do with our choice. ‘
Hence the subject matter of this post… to poke around on this matter and see if there is some additional clues and knowledge regarding the notion of freedom.
Freedom or svādhīnatā by definition is subjection to (only) one's self i.e. total and complete independence. We could expand this definition, yet for now I think it will serve our purpose.
Two types
It seems to me freedom can be categorized into two camps: Absolute freedom and relative freedom.
With absolute freedom there are literally no boundaries to one’s choice. That means not even the laws
of nature can restrict one in any way , shape or form. Any and all things are possible.
With relative freedom ( some call liberty¹) some things are possible, and are ~ quarantined~ to the laws of nature as the boundary condition.
A few examples of the above ( and will try to keep the ideas simple).
- Absolute Freedom of Choice
Let’s say I plant a seed of an oak tree. With absolute freedom of choice I chose it to become a rose bush. It becomes that.
I choose that roses are instant and I do not have to wait some months for it to grow, I chose that it is a blooming bush
in the next hour… and it is done. I chose to ‘smell’ the beautiful green ( I chose green) rose with my skin, not my nose.
All of my body is able to smell the rose that is green & smells like a green apple, again my choice. It is done.
- Relative Freedom of Choice
I get to choose a rose bush and plant it. It is my choice from the available rose bushes, so I chose one of them. I know
that if I chose an oak tree seed I would be choosing to get a tree and not a bush.
I plant the rose bush in the best soil conditions and location possible. Yet I do not know for sure if I will get
healthy roses. I hope I do , as that is my choice. I do all the things to promote this choice: Water, fertilize,
assure it gets plenty of sun, all those things that support my choice, yet in the final analysis it is out of my hands.
Whose ~hands~ is the final outcome of the rose bush in ? All the laws of nature and intelligence that resides within
this world.
See the difference in the two examples? With relative freedom it is my choice to pick or not pick a rose bush to plant.
To do ( or not do) all those things that would support a healthy plant to grow over a period of time that I cannot control.
I cannot truncate the growing period of the bush. My selections are subjected to the ‘rules’ , the laws of nature that preside in the universe.
Guidence
Now is there any śāstra that suggests this relative freedom of choice is a reasonable view ? Yes.
Kṛṣṇa says the following in the bhāgavad gītā (chapter 2, 47th śloka)
karmaṇi evādhikāras te
mā phalesu kadācana |
mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr
mā te saṅgo'stv akarmaṇi ||47
This says, you certainly (eva) have ādhikāra (claim , right , privilege, control) of your (te or ti) karmaṇi (of your actions) , but never or not (mā) of its fruits (phalesu) .
Just so there is no confusion - 'but never or not (mā) of its fruits (phalesu)' clearly points that the individual cannot control the outcome. You do not have a choice on the level of success or failure that may result from that action that is initiated. That is, you ‘want’ the roses to be beautiful, fragrant, perfect, yet at the end of the day it is out of your hands.
See the point? Kṛṣṇa-ji is saying in no uncertain terms you have (we have) relative freedom.
My intent, my choice my ādhikāra (claim , right , privilege, control) of actions karmaṇi, is mine. So , why am I offering this? Because by the grace of the Lord He gives us this privilege.
But why on earth do I have this nagging feeling that I have this absolute freedom in me somewhere ? Why is this ? We will take a look in the next post.
iti śivaṁ
1. Liberty : a) the power of choice b) a right (or immunity) enjoyed by prescription or by grant
Last edited by yajvan; 21 February 2016 at 03:13 PM.
यतस्त्वं शिवसमोऽसि
yatastvaṁ śivasamo'si
because you are identical with śiva
_
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