The path to Tranquility (spring)
57. Transcending those Free Birds
Soaring in the sky like a bird, spreading wings and flying high is not only
the aspiration of human beings, but also the way out for all life. But our
freedom is not only the freedom to fly, but also includes the freedom of
thought, speech, and choice. Therefore, we not only need to find ways to fly
physically, but also to achieve the freedom of mind.
The reason why the mind is not free, is because we are controlled by the egos. The reason why we cannot feel the joy of life is because we have invisible shackles on us. We are shaped into the patterns required by society from a young age, and are limited by many traditional ideas and habits. If we do not live according to tradition, we have to endure many inconveniences, discrimination from others, and even face threats to our lives.
We are like birds trapped in a cage, only able to walk around in the cage, or chirp a few times after being fed. Birds trapped in a cage cannot fly, which is a sad situation. It may not have to worry about food in a cage, but it also has to please humans in exchange for that. However, when it spreads its wings in the vast sky, it has to face natural enemies and lack of food. Our situation is similar to that of this bird.
Of course freedom comes with a price, which is that we must take full responsibility for our own lives. But if we are not free, we will not only be unable to feel joy, but also suffer from anxiety and depression, and our lives will wither prematurely. Especially in a turbulent environment, the more restricted the mind is, the more fragile our lives are.
Only by freeing the mind can we achieve other freedoms. Without a free mind, other freedoms are easily lost or simply not felt. We need a free mind to think and act freely, to choose our own lifestyle, career, partner, etc. This is the foundation of our survival and development, as well as an important condition for growth and progress.
For unconscious creatures, freedom does not matter. But we humans have realized that freedom is the driving force of development, the source of happiness, and the long-term guarantee of life. There is a thought-provoking saying: "Some birds are destined not to be kept, and every feather on them shines with the light of freedom." When the cage is opened, the birds will also soar into the sky. As long as we awaken and let our minds be free, we will surpass those free birds and one day be able to leave the earth and fly out into space.
Freedom is actually relative, and does not mean that the body is free from restraints, but that it breaks through psychological restrictions and gives full play to the maximum creativity of life. When we have the ability to create an unconstrained body, or no longer rely on the body, then all the cages that trap us are opened.
56. Ego is the main factor in conflict
58. Resolving unreasonable fears
