Freedom

[appaji]

On this Indian independence day, I wish that you be free, always :-). While I celebrate the day and proudly sing janani janma-bhUmischa swargadapi garIyasi, I believe we still have a long way to go.

Today, the radio has people telling what freedom means to them. To me, freedom is not merely an absence of constraints, but it is action having

Comments

[manjlanata]

Freedom is a fancy word. There is no such thing as freedom. http://www.livejournal.com/users/manjlanata/13968.html

[ex_ga_woo]

No, Freedom is not a fancy word. Although there are fascists who would try to convince us otherwise. These fascists rise to power every now and then. In fact, if anyone wants to remove people's rights, this is exactly where you begin. By telling people that "Freedom" is a fancy word

[appaji]

Well put!

[ex_ga_woo]

When "Freedom" becomes a fancy (sic) word

Deputy Commissioner of Police: "The new law is for the good of the people. Why should people stay out late and spoil their own health." Holeeeeeeeeeeee Shit!

Freedom and Liberty....

[kingsly]

/me thinks you have been subconsciously influenced by certain forces (8.5MB Quicktime video )

Re: Freedom and Liberty....

[appaji]

Fun :))

[vyshnavi]

My concept of freedom is being yourself, without any worries.

Then again, maybe that's just an illusion!

[appaji]

> My concept of freedom is being yourself

And I hope, at the same time, letting others to be themselves and not allowing being yourself to come in the way of others being themselves.

[vyshnavi]

Absolutely. Goes without saying. When I typed the earlier comment, I hadn't even considered "other people". :)

[arunshanbhag]

... but if everybody is themselves, then wouldn't we have anarchy?

Re: *claps*

[appaji]

:-P

[arunshanbhag]

I find Swami Chidbhavananda's little phrase intriquing:
"Freedom is not doing the things you feel like doing."
;-)

[rileen]

Very interesting :-)

[appaji]

Indeed, and I read that as "Freedom is not in doing the things you feel like doing" and figured out that that wasn't the case in pass 2!

[arunshanbhag]

its like a worm which burrows in your mind and stays there; then it surfaces at inopportune moments.

I checked my little booklet again,
Its by Swami Chinmayananda,
"Not to do what you feel like doing is freedom."