Freedom to Feel

[Markendeya Yeddanapudi]

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MarFreedom to Feel

 

Real freedom is the freedom to feel, in free and lush nature by breathing, smelling, sensing, perceiving and creating one’s particular path of emotions as a result of symbiotic living with nature. When nature is continuously destroyed the very macro body that enables feeling is also destroyed. Nature is the main partner in our emotions and feelings.

When a tiny tot is put in a school, it is cut from nature and its own freedom to feel and develop emotionally is fettered. There was a time when breathing, smelling, sensing …, was conversation and communication. From that breathe based emotional conversation, conversation of feelings; the tiny tot gets wrenched to conversation by using the symbols of language. When it grows up it simply will not have even the concept of emotion based feeling language and the fundamental breathe based relationship with nature. Its macro body that includes nature as its anatomy is destroyed and it in fact becomes emotionally handicapped. Emotions get bottled up, as their free flow via breathing is killed.

The bottled emotions without outlet are creating many ailments. For the ailments there is only the mechanical explanation, but there is simply no attempt to relate them to the pollution of the air, land and water.

Freedom of expression has changed from the expression of arts that sprout, to merely the expression of anger or anguish. In fact the very basic biological urge to artistic expression is taken over by the cine hero, who paralyzes this basic biology. Please realize that the flora and fauna are there for conversation by smelling and sensing. They are not subject matters to be cut, dissected, burnt, heated etc for mechanical explanation. There is only one subject, you and your macro body or nature. Freedom of expression needs the freedom to feel nature.

YM Sarma

Chat gpt

This is a deeply reflective and poetic essay by YM Sarma, titled “Freedom to Feel.” It expresses a powerful ecological and philosophical message: that true freedom is not merely political or social, but emotional and sensory—rooted in our symbiotic relationship with nature.

Here’s a brief summary and interpretation of the key ideas:

1. Freedom as emotional communion with nature:
   Real freedom is the ability to feel—to breathe, smell, sense, and emotionally connect with the natural world. Human emotional health depends on this partnership with nature.
2. Disconnection through schooling and civilization:
   Modern systems—especially education—cut children off from nature early on. The child, once communicating through breath, touch, and natural rhythms, is forced into symbolic, language-based communication. This leads to a loss of emotional fluency and alienation from the natural “macro body” that sustains feeling.
3. Consequences of emotional suppression:
   When our natural channels for emotional flow (like breath and sensory awareness) are blocked, emotions become bottled up. This results in psychological and physical ailments—yet society looks only for mechanical or medical explanations, ignoring environmental and emotional causes.
4. Degradation of expression:
   Art, once the organic expression of emotion, has been replaced by superficial or commercialized forms—like cinema heroes representing collective urges. True creative freedom, Sarma suggests, has been replaced by mere expressions of frustration or rage.
5. Reverence for nature as self:
   The flora and fauna are not objects of study or exploitation—they are parts of our own extended body, participants in a continuous sensory conversation. To harm them is to harm ourselves.
6. Conclusion — reclaiming the freedom to feel:
   The essay calls for a return to an embodied, emotional, and sensory relationship with nature. Only through this “freedom to feel” can we rediscover genuine artistic expression and holistic health.

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If you’d like, I can also:

• Write a short analytical essay on the philosophical themes of this piece (e.g., eco-phenomenology, emotional ecology, or critique of modernity),
• Or produce a simplified version for students or younger readers,
• Or even create a poetic summary capturing its spirit.

Would you like me to do one of those?

 

[Rajaram Krishnamurthy]

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that allows individuals to express their beliefs, ideas, and opinions without fear of censorship or punishment. It is crucial for democratic societies, as it facilitates open dialogue, holds power accountable, and enables societal progress and personal development. However, this freedom is not absolute and is subject to reasonable restrictions, such as those against incitement to violence or defamation, to protect public order and the rights of others.

The importance of freedom of expression

Drives social and political change: It allows for the free exchange of ideas necessary for questioning authority, exposing injustice, and demanding reform. Historically, it has played a vital role in gaining rights, such as women's suffrage.

Promotes accountability: Freedom of the press, a key component of free expression, allows for investigative journalism that keeps governments and other powerful institutions in check.

Fosters personal and societal growth: It encourages creativity, innovation, and the development of one's personality through self-expression. A society where people can freely exchange ideas is one that is more informed and dynamic.

Underpins other rights: Freedom of expression is considered a foundational right because it is essential for the enjoyment of other human rights, allowing people to speak out and seek justice.

Limitations and responsibilities

Not an unlimited right: Most legal systems, including liberal democracies, have limitations on freedom of expression. The goal is to balance this right with other important interests.

Categories of restricted speech: These restrictions typically include things like defamation, hate speech, and incitement to violence, which can be used to prevent harm to others and maintain public order.

Balancing act: The challenge is to implement these restrictions without suppressing legitimate dissent. Some argue for greater tolerance of speech that may be offensive or false, believing that a free exchange of ideas, even dissenting ones, is ultimately beneficial to a healthy society.

Digital age challenges: The rise of the internet and social media has created new platforms for expression but also new challenges, such as online censorship by governments and content moderation by private platforms.

Freedom of expression is a vital right for any open and fair society, enabling progress and accountability. Whether a laughter or anger does not matter as long as it is righteous and expressed. While it is essential to protect this freedom, it is equally important to recognize that it comes with the responsibility to use it in a way that does not harm others. Finding the right balance through reasonable restrictions is crucial for upholding both individual liberty and the collective good.

KR IRS 11125

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