What is the meaning of freedom?

Sun, 24 Jun 2012 11:55:44 +0000

In this multifarious world, democracy and human rights have many faces. Democracy,
which implies rights to vote and elect people to govern the society, without
any restrictions based on race, gender, belief, ideas and views, has become the
universal demand by people all over the world as expressions of freedom. However, freedom needs a context in which it may receive a meaning. The context is often framed by the conditions in which one competes to survive and seeks to secure life,
property, opportunities of self-realization etc.. More insecure is the human life,
more restricted becomes the arena of freedom. Only in conditions where human
life experiences greater securities, freedom to choose and realize oneself it
receives greater meaning. Freedom for a man in hunger is to satiate his/her
need for food. In exchange of food he/she will submit the other dimensions of
freedom to the society. After the insecurities of food, shelter and heath are overcome, human beings seek freedom to explore the possibilities hidden within themselves as creative beings. This freedom extends beyond biological necessities to realms of the mind where one dreams, and strives to realize new possibilities of living. Only in a social order, which succeeds in freeing man from the basic needs, one can create ground for freedom where creative spirit of man can emerge. Creativity evolves according to the cultural environment where one lives, and the way the society inspires people by providing information and knowledge, and freedom to explore new frontiers of
intellectual and emotional life, which may open a path of self-realization – a
new dimension of freedom. Once this higher freedom is guaranteed by a society
by creating cultural environments, where new ideas can be brought forth, old
views can be challenged and a climate of openness and respect for all ideas and
beliefs can be ensured, the role of the human beings in building a social order
becomes more meaningful. In societies that are based on inflexible ideology, or fundamentalist religious beliefs, or cultural prejudices and superiority of one group over the others, and where people may be coerced to follow the premises of freedom imposed by dogmatic rulers, the meaning of freedom lies in breaking away from confinement.

Only in a social order, where human beings are free from the basic needs, and liberated from the cultural dogmas and prejudices, and enjoy opportunities of engaging in the
pursuit of higher freedom, which may open richer dimensions of life, human
beings are able to descry the next realm of freedom representing the higher
stage of evolution of society. This expanded freedom will bring transcendence of the human life through the emergence of a higher form of consciousness, which may open the doors to explore beyond the limited understanding of life by using the knowledge and methods available to man. This is a way to move beyond the world of material bondage and enter into a union with all that exist in the cosmos. The first step of
realizing this freedom is the compassion, and respect and love for all. In realizing one`s oneness and connectedness with all beings, who exist as wonders of the universe, the life may move forward to reach an enlightened stage of evolution. It is like moving out of darkness to light that opens the vision of existence, not ascertainable by knowledge and reason alone. This consciousness is the source of true peace and harmony in the world.

The way the development of human society is still bound in its primitive stage while hunger is not eradicated and the basic needs for survival are lacking for a large part
of humanity, it is a long way to go.

ENLIGHTENED DEMOCRACY AS FOUNDATION OF PEACE » meaning of freedom

What is the meaning of freedom?