Freedom from MIND
Freedom, something that we try to adore and protect till our very last breath holds a great importance in our lives. The cornerstone of modernity is freedom and it will not be wrong to say that we are addicted to living our lives on our own conditions, enjoying the freedom of speech, expression, choices etc. Moreover, freedom is no less than hunger that has made the humans climb every Everest, dive every ocean in order to get satiated.
Freedom, though of many kinds but in every scenario, holds the same meaning. To ensure our external freedom we have elections, various rules and regulations, we have built houses, we fight for stable and paying jobs, get all types of insurances, get married, bear kids, etc. Amidst this race of securing the external freedom we have completely forgotten about the internal one, i.e., the freedom from mind. Too busy worrying about the social validations we never ask ourselves, “How can I ever be free if the very core of me is bound?”. As a result, we continue struggling for hoarding the external accolades and completely neglecting the inner jewels and thus being bereft of the internal shine we cry for the external flambeau.
If we start digging, we may find that the first and major reason behind any mental struggle is the lack of awareness about it. Nobody likes to accept that they are depressed or stressed, they may spend nights after nights overthinking about almost everything but, are never ready to accept that they are mere puppets of their minds. Due to prolonged carelessness and neglect the mind remains unwatched and gradually grows out of control making us do as it says, feel as it says and eventually be as it wants.
Therefore, the first step towards mental freedom is to acknowledge the fact that ‘I’ and the mind are two different entities and this will propel the journey where the real master tames his demons into angles. By merely drawing a line between ‘me and mind’ one starts feeling the clutches loosening up. One extracts a space for oneself from where he/she can watch, analyze and change his/her mind by cutting the years old reins of surrender and thus eventually ending the puppet show.
Remember that our mind has ruled us for many years and whenever the suppressed has fought back for freedom the struggle has never been simple, quick and easy. But the results are promised and are surely better than being a slave. Being either a Master or a Slave are both the ways of living and are completely based on one’s choice.
But, if you decide to set out on this journey of freedom, please don’t forget to put a lot of patience, endurance, will power and honesty in your bag pack.
Abhinandni Pandit, Psychologist, works as a counsellor
