SIVANANDA DAILY READING FOR 6 DECEMBER

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SIVANANDA DAILY READING FOR 6 DECEMBER

FREEDOM: YOUR BIRTHRIGHT

 

Freedom is man's birthright. Freedom is knowledge, peace and bliss.

Consciously or unconsciously, willingly or unwillingly, all are

attempting to attain this freedom. One nation is fighting another on

the battlefield for freedom. A robber robs in order to obtain freedom

from want - though his movement may be crooked and circuitous. Every

movement of your foot is towards freedom or existence-knowledge-bliss.

 

The real reason is that there is in you the immortal, self-effulgent

soul or atman which is one without a second, which has no rival,

which is the inner ruler, which is the support for the whole

universe. In reality, you are this atman. That is the reason why you

have such a feeling and desire.

 

In every heart, there is this desire for freedom, this all-consuming

passion for liberty. Freedom is the birthright of man. Freedom is the

very nature of Brahman or the eternal soul. Brahman is eternally

free. The desire for freedom is there even in the lowliest of God's

creatures. Freedom is an attribute of the soul, born with you. No

force, no known human device, can suppress that desire. Freedom's

flame is ever burning bright. Freedom or liberation is the ultimate

goal of man. Freedom is liberation from the thraldom of mind and

matter.

 

Real freedom is not merely political or economic, though political

and economic freedom is essential for the welfare of a people. Real

freedom is lordship over oneself. It is the freedom of the self. It

is immortality; it is perfection. It is attainable only by slow and

painful stages.

>From time pass into eternity. This is freedom or emancipation. Still

the mind. Herein lies freedom and bliss eternal. Real freedom is

freedom from birth and death, freedom from the bondage of the flesh

and mind, freedom from the bonds of karma and freedom from attachment

to the body. Real freedom is freedom from egoism and desires, freedom

from thoughts, likes and dislikes, freedom from lust, anger, greed

and pride. Real freedom is identification with the supreme self. Real

freedom is to realise the self. Real freedom is merging in the

absolute.

 

Freedom is in detachment, desirelessness, mindlessness. Eradication

and extinction of desires lead to the sublime state of supreme bliss

and perfect freedom.