The prisoners in a golden cage
Sunday, 2. April 2006, 07:37:22
Freedom:
1. The state of being free; exemption from the power and
control of another; liberty; independence.
1913 Webster
I know some people, who think they are free: without wishes, without relationships, without passion... But - are they really so free as they declare themselves? I doubt. I think that they are just afraid of so called conventional, "real" life... Why do I think so? Because I was one of them for many years: a prisoner in a cage of so called freedom. Such life is somehow without a risk, but it's without any deep responsibility, it's like an egoistic attitude (even - sometimes - when such people are full of "compassion", "love")...
To be really free means for me something different: it's an ability to involve myself in almost everything that might appear without fear, attachment and the like - but with great responsibility and respect of other people's freedom. To be free also from some fiction of my own freedom. But, on the other hand, maybe I'm just "born to be wild"... who the hell knows?
Do you know, what I mean?
Sorry because of my bad English...
1. The state of being free; exemption from the power and
control of another; liberty; independence.
1913 Webster
I know some people, who think they are free: without wishes, without relationships, without passion... But - are they really so free as they declare themselves? I doubt. I think that they are just afraid of so called conventional, "real" life... Why do I think so? Because I was one of them for many years: a prisoner in a cage of so called freedom. Such life is somehow without a risk, but it's without any deep responsibility, it's like an egoistic attitude (even - sometimes - when such people are full of "compassion", "love")...
To be really free means for me something different: it's an ability to involve myself in almost everything that might appear without fear, attachment and the like - but with great responsibility and respect of other people's freedom. To be free also from some fiction of my own freedom. But, on the other hand, maybe I'm just "born to be wild"... who the hell knows?
Do you know, what I mean?
Sorry because of my bad English...
WIDGETIZE
silent_cat # 2. April 2006, 18:31
I wish I could have called myself "free", but I'm afraid I'm so far apart from the definition above. I have never been able to feel free from wishes, relationships or passion. I sometimes think; is this life given to me to live for the ones i love? My responsibilities hold me tight and so... how can I call myself free?
Nyingje # 3. April 2006, 05:19
It's hard to give a proper advice or opinion how to be free. I must say that this life was given to us because of one single reason (as a result of our karma): to learn, how to become a better human beings, how to realise all our inner abilities... So I think as a buddhist. It is not a question, how to call yourself free - the question is, how to get rid of attachments, jealousy, anger, pride, unreal expectatoions and the like. It's nothing wrong with relationships, love, feelings, wishes, passion... The real problem is: can you control all those things - or some feelings, passion... control you? We must ask ourselves: are we masters of our own "monkey mind", or just a bunch of slaves, who are not able to say no to our own wishes, passion, expectations... in case we know, that they will hurt us and the others as well. Uh... what a mind job!
Nice to hear from you and stay in touch if you want to.
Be well,
nyingje
silent_cat # 3. April 2006, 15:29
That's the question I'm trying to find the answer for years... How will I achive to control my desires instead of being controlled by them? Is the answer buddhism or some other religion? I'm asking this seriously... But not expecting an answer.. from noone...
hope to stay in touch..
cigdem the white rat.. (i'll tell you about this some time later)
Nyingje # 3. April 2006, 16:32
Well, buddhism is not really an answer and is not a religion as well (there's no all mighty God within it...). It's more a phylosophy and a way of live: a way, how to cultivate one's own mind... In short. But everybody can achieve some inner peace, some control over wishes, desire, not necessary within buddhism.
And yes, there is a question how, and the answer is: meditation (single - pointed, analitic...).
But I'm sure, that this blog is not a very good place to discuss such a serious matter, so you can find me on skype (nyingje), MSN (dani.bedrac@triera.net), ICQ (303572297)...Please, feel free to contact me anytime.
Be well, white rat!
nyingje
silent_cat # 3. April 2006, 17:07
I added you to my messenger contacts. I hope you'll accept it soon. Maybe we may have a conversation with you and another friend (guess who!) soon..
Nyingje # 4. April 2006, 19:25
silent_cat # 4. April 2006, 19:43
Nyingje # 5. April 2006, 04:52
reincarnut # 9. April 2006, 08:15
JCL_75 # 19. April 2006, 17:22
This post defines exactly how I used to be. I could not at one stage even contemplate buying a table for my apartment because I thought that it might just be a burden to get rid of one day. As I used to say: I lived like I was leaving. And it's a poor life to lead. You shy away from things that might tie you down and as a consequence you never actually engage with anything or anyone. As a child we travelled around a lot and lived in many cities and countries and I think that as a grown up I always felt unsettled - like I was always on the verge of packing my suitcases again. It took me sometime to get passed that feeling and I am glad to say that I am more fully living my life.
Thanks for a great post.
Love,
JCL.
Nyingje # 20. April 2006, 05:58
I'm glad that you like this post. I think that from time to time we all face similar problems and some of us learn how to deal with them... But there are some people who think, that those state of "freedom" is the final goal of life. This is scary somehow...
Be well!