7 STEPS TO LIVE IN FREEDOM

 If the ultimate goal of this path of learning in the physical world is happiness, the journey could well be named after that so precious and seldom felt from within that is freedom.

The fact of living in the West, in generations plagued by changes that modify us, or destroy us if we avoid training in the subject called "flexibility", proposes shortcuts that sometimes take us away from the path we dream of. If a large part of our social lives are on the threshold of poverty, it is difficult for us to consider natural aspects of the expansion of the human soul, such as freedom.

It is well known that we are the ones who choose the thickness of the chains. We are bound by relationships, consumption, ideologies of all colors, beliefs converted into paradigms by letting them crush them, economic and financial conditioning, restrictions of different kinds, pride, and the ego, to mention just a handful. In short, they become those colored mirrors that promise us that, being in a certain way, we will conquer a framework of greater fullness and balance. And none of that happens.

Some, the least, dare to explore inhospitable landscapes, seeking to return to the essence of the human being: free and unconditional. But as I understand it, the great challenge and learning are here: amid the tumult and turmoil of life, where what happens; where we participate even when we don't want to, and we realize that life is passing by and perhaps we are with more ties than before.

What follows is not a method, but a ladder that can lead you to experiences of greater freedom and authenticity. Authenticity, etymologically, comes from the adjective “authentic” and the abstract suffix “idad” that indicates 'quality of'. So if we manage to reach this level of experiences and actions in our passage through the world, we will be closer to the experience of freedom.

The ladder that I propose has seven steps and practically no rest: imagine a continuous exercise, going up and down all the time, until acquiring the necessary mastery to traverse it effortlessly, naturally, and integrated into our way of Being. These seven levels can change the order according to how you want to experience them: the important thing is that you define your own method or sequence that makes sense to you, and that you encourage yourself to try it again and again.

The first step: Find your purpose.

This means facing a life plan based on the experiences that you want to bring more presence and projecting each of your moments from that place. The purpose is the meeting point between what I know how to do, what I want to do, what I like, and with what I can serve in this world. The key to purpose is a permanent action. There are no small actions, but simply actions. Because I am here? So that? What is my mission in this world? How can I serve others, while learning and sharing the experience of life? They can become valid questions to dive into your interior if you are not clear.

 

Second: See how I want to play the game of life.

I can choose to compete, not compete, dispute, fight, cheat, as many ways of acting in the world as determined by my ethics and life values. If you could incorporate a sense of cooperation with the other, the process of the dance of life will be more fluid and more productive for everyone.

 

Third: Silence.

It is not necessary to put words with a quick and sharp tongue in all situations. Sometimes it is good to turn off the noise inside and outside; silence us and simply let us be. This, which many call meditation, will become a constant in your life. It will be a "dynamic meditation" where you will be able to obtain valuable self-knowledge tools and a clearer internal vision. It will avoid conflicts. You will masterfully dodge attacks. You will leave room only for what nurtures, what is positive, and what supports your growth and that of the others. You will not be on a permanent war footing. You will not react, but you will act naturally with the minimum of necessary movements, to connect from there with that construction process that means going for your freedom.

 

Fourth: Learn to let go.

Possibly most of us bring eons of negative charges, thoughts that do not serve us, and conditioning that limits us. Step by step, you will learn this up and down through these levels of consciousness, to let go of things that do not work for you. And in this way -simple and natural- you will free up space within yourself to let in the new.

 

Fifth: Focus on simplicity.

In that alchemy is the result that you will obtain step by step if you dare to experience the new and let go of the ties. We usually live with many ties, almost chains that enhance a false sense of achievement: having more, only later, perhaps, to connect with the Being. It is possible to live exactly the other way around: first Being, and from there Doing ( act, specify) and then Have (as a consequence of doing). Eliminating everything superfluous brings many benefits, among them, having more space available to enjoy life. For example, if you have clothes in your closet that you don't use, or books in the library, release them immediately and circulate them: donate them, give them away, and even leave them at the door of your house for someone who needs them to take them. In simplicity lies much of inner freedom. A little deeper is usually the process of simplifying our conversations and mental analyses. And the mind also gets tired and overwhelms us with so many thoughts that at times disconcert and confuse us. Therefore, keep it simple, direct, to the point, and without so much mental process.

 

Sixth: Behold.

The act of stilling ourselves in any moment and situation allows us to be expert photographers of our own reactions and emotions. Plus, it's free. As radiologists who take instant scanner images, we can gradually acquire the skill of sequencing these processes when the mind wants to interfere with the contemplation process. Just let the thoughts loose: I suggest you let them go, don't try to tie them down. They are there for a reason. You can contemplate without emotionally participating in situations. I know that at first, it will cost a bit, although I am sure that soon you will be able to have this quality whenever you need it. Just stay in a state of contemplation, and in silence. If there was a space that produces this inner connection more quickly, you can go there with your creative imagination whenever you want.

 

Seventh: Gratitude.

This is perhaps the most important key on the path to inner freedom. It is the key that opens all the locks and frees you from all the chains in which we have often become entangled and imprisoned. Give thanks at all times and for everything, even when things are not going well according to our criteria. Let go of the expectation about twisting the course of situations, and just be thankful. With a little practice you will be able to experience an internal state of wholeness, serenity, the balance between mind, body, and spirit, and greater compassion (“with + passion”) with yourself and with others, including in challenging situations.

 

From there, to a greater experience of freedom, there is only one step. We just have to dare to experience this ladder over and over again, in endless continuous learning, until we teach ourselves how to live life more fully from now on. And this is the most valuable choice you can make, first for yourself, and then for everyone who loves you.