Reflections On Freedom

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 15 August 2023 "A man, even if imprisoned, is free if his spirit is free." Sufi mystic Sarmad Kashani, he was actually an atheist, is believed to have uttered these words a day before he was decollated at the behest of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb for not reciting the complete Kalma (La ilah illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah). On India's 76th Independence Day when the entire country is euphoric, do we bother to ask or think, are we really free? Don't we mistake our territorial or geographical freedom for (true) freedom? "If an individual is not intrinsically free at an individual and intellectual level, his territorial freedom is of no use. We're ideologically, politically, religiously and socially enslaved, yet we call ourselves free. We're free on paper but we're not fully emancipated in thoughts, actions and ideas. We let our ideas take roots and become ideologies. We still sing paeans to a despotic political outfit. We allow ourselves to be swayed by religions, gods and their silly tenets. Wittingly or unwittingly, we harbour a host of prejudices and presuppositions. We still cannot think individually, independently and intelligently. Yet, we're free! Isn't it an irony? When country's brightest and most promising young students at premier education institutes like IITs and B-Schools discriminate their peers on the bases of their castes and creeds, how can we call ourselves to be free in letter and spirit? To be free is to evolve in all aspects and respects. Freedom is a steady journey from the individual level to the higher collective plane. To enjoy freedom, one has to assimilate the very idea of freedom. Unless we imbibe the spirit of freedom, we cannot comprehend freedom in its entirety. An enslaved mind cannot and shouldn't aspire to become free. Freedom from all ideologies, isms, identities and doctrines will make us free. Once Buddha told one of his favourite disciples Katyayana, " Son, now you're ' free.' " Confused and clueless, Katyayana asked Buddha, " Master, I've not understood the import of your statement." Buddha repeated, " Son, you're free from this very moment." Buddha continued, " You're no longer a Buddha. You're not my disciple any longer. You don't require any book, any system of belief and the imprisonment of monastic order. You don't even require me. I'm not driving you out as you're very dear to me. I'm just setting you free. Now, you're a free bird in the firmament of enlightenment. Go out. Don't ever look back. I'm not cursing you. I'm blessing you from the deepest crevice of my heart." This story in one of the Pitakas is used as a metaphor for the ultimate freedom; freedom from the revered guru, monastic order, books, faith, customs, rituals, superstitions, territories, relations, bonds, bindings, obligations, identities, different tags and all attachments. That's why, Hinayana Buddhism describes Katyayana as 'Buddham Sarvopari Tathapi Nirbuddham' (the greatest Buddha who wasn't a Buddha!). What a statement! The greatest Buddha who wasn't a Buddha. Strive to reach that level when all labels erode and lose their significance. Then only will you be completely free in the broadest sense of the word. But considering the widespread fragmentations all around and the diabolical level of mankind, total freedom still seems unlikely. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/reflections-freedom-katyayana/d/130448 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism