Freedom
By Mary Cook, M.A., R.A.S.
We can enslave ourselves to addictions, compulsions, codependency, power, money and materialism, thereby blocking our hearts. We can become slaves to worry, fear, hate, anger and depression and thus forfeit our faith. We can become slaves to pride, prejudice, arrogance, self-righteousness, greed, entitlement and violence, and we sacrifice conscious awareness of our soul.
(for the full article and multimedia experience, click here: OM-Times June 2010 Edition)
When we treat ourselves and others as commodities to use, abuse, exploit, neglect or endanger, we dishonor and deny divine heritage. When we feel empty, broken, damaged and demeaned, we have forgotten the spirit within us. The tyranny of cravings and excessive willfulness dehumanize and despiritualize life, leaving us without satisfaction or serenity.
Retaliation, over-controlling and entitlement deepen and lengthen suffering and wounds. Symptoms and cravings do not define a person or a life. They are messages from parts of us that need attention, understanding and healing. It is not obtaining what we think we need from others or life, which creates health and happiness, for we are no longer infants. It is not waiting until our ship comes in or we win the lottery that will fulfill us. The solution lies in what we give, and what we give up right now, to promote health and happiness.
We can learn to compassionately contain pain, as we would hold a precious, crying child. We can practice active solutions that engage the healing power of love and focus on what we can positively create, rather than what we fear and hate. We can cease enabling, cooperating and participating in negativity, and commit to healthy, responsible personal caretaking and stewardship. We can demonstrate clear boundaries with anyone who would harm us, and pray for them as we pray for ourselves. We can direct our attention to healing, learning, growing and ultimately transforming our wounds and problems into character assets and spiritual principles.
We can relinquish greed for gratitude, chaos for serenity, and self-righteousness for humility. We can exchange anger and blame for compassion and understanding. We can transform violence into peace and reverence for life. These are the promises of surrendering negative energies and defense mechanisms, and living in solution. We are meant to not only give up our unhealthy habits but to awaken to the realization of all that we were created to be, and to share that with the world. This is the promised freedom of recovery.
