“MAIN Sachmuch AZAAD HOON?” “Am I really free?"
B.K. Prafful Singi
“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high…
Where words come out from the depth of truth…
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action,
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.”
- Rabindranath Tagore
You and I live in a land honoured for its ancient heritage and martyrs the world over. Bharat is currently witnessing phenomenal changes in science, technology, education, fashion, entertainment and politics, but what drives every Indian towards a better future for the self and nation is self-respect, an open heart, selflessness, compassion, love for non-violence, respect of all life, and integrity. There are many who would seriously doubt the existence of these virtues in today’s Bharat and liken them to a mirage. However no matter how flawed a diamond is, it would never be called a mere stone; its true sparkle can be merged but never extinguished. Time and again we Bharastwasis have proved to the negative forces that faith in ourselves and in our principles can and never will die. The founding fathers and mothers of our nation renounced everything so that we could live in security and with dignity. Today, we bow down to these phenomenal souls (and their families) who have and continue to be our guiding lights.
Despite all the glory and liberation attained in the past, Tagoreji’s crystal words make me wonder: “Am I really free?”
I can express my desires, choose my own friends, clothes, religion, music, food, careers, life partners etc… for which I am sincerely grateful. But am I free to think positively, free to love and respect every other human being for who they are, free to be motivated and determined to succeed, free from giving and taking sorrow, free to understand and follow God, free to be fearless, free to live by my innate goodness and purity? Or is my mind and heart bound by golden chains of blind faith, social stigmas, or simply a weak conscience?
Our ancestors would probably agree that freedom and self-respect filled with peace and love cannot be bestowed externally by a government, fate or any human being unless I am first liberated internally. Very often the drama of life unveils scenes that are over-whelming and show no deliverance. Whether we are dealing with human relationships or unavoidable, challenging circumstances, the only thing I can change is myself. Every child is born with the right to live as it wishes but also with the intellect to decide how to use that freedom. Power, in its true sense, is to be in charge of one's own character. True freedom comes from self-sovereignty that is, being a King of the Self.
Our most precious assets are the mind (thoughts), intellect (decisions) and personality traits or sanskars but we often become a slave to or dependant on limited desires and circumstances. Thoughts then run like wild horses, decisions are based on insecurities, fear etc. and weak habits govern our thinking and actions. Before I overcome negativity in any form I have to be able to govern my inner world. By regularly visualizing myself as an eternal spiritual being (of peace, purity and love) and forging a link with the Supreme Divine Entity
- my mind learns to transform the quality and speed of its thoughts
- my intellect is educated in being an accurate decision-maker and
- my negative or weak sanskars are reformed.
As we begin to unleash and refine our dormant spiritual strength (by empowering
our consciousness), this energy becomes our personal power ready to use for
self and others. We gradually help
ourselves out of the box of limitations, doubts, uncertainties, and sorrows to
experience a life of fulfillment and success.
India holds a treasure-store of wisdom for elevating soul and body to their acme.
Let’s unite to recognize… understand… cherish… use… and live by it
HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY!!!