chained in freedom

Not having freedom should infuriate one's common sense. Compared to a prison inmate, one is obviously free to roam and do what one fancies. In comparison, a worker who earns nine hundred dollars a month can't spend all his money freely because he needs to feed his family and pay rent; while a tycoon whose income hits milllions a month finds ways to discharge cash and to elavate his status in society.

Refugees and child brides rejoice a peaceful stroll in a place called home. Somewhere in a highly-riched society, a college student demands his father to buy him a sports car. On the other side of the globe, a 17 year-old's only dream is to attend school and learn to write her name.

I am not about to conclude that the rich and spoilt do not appreciate the fortune which befall them or those in poverty struck should beg the mercy of powerful nations for help. Rather I am looking at or observing if the disparity between the wealthy and the poor is caused by a basic human necessecity named will.

What is will? What do you understand by it? It is an attitude in doing something, to want something or as a motivation speaker puts it, determination. But if one looks deeper, what is will? It is desire. A desire to own, to buy, to study, to win, to reach a goal, to achieve a dream and to be free. To have the freedom to do what one likes.

In societies where Western philosophy dominates all thinking, everyone speaks of freedom. Every politcal party ensures freedom in a democratic country. Undoubtedly, even in the East, especially far east like Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan this influence sinks in and solidifies comfortably.

Nevertheless it is dangerous because uncurtailed freedom leads to degeneration of humanity. The gap between the rich and the poor is wide and those who are in power exploit the weak. Why? In the name of freedom, isn't it? Because the will of man is selfish. The determination so-to-speak only points to you and only you. And it assures you that it is perfectly fine to aim high, to go far, to make money and to fulfill your dreams. The best method is to make enough money in a short time. Pay now and play later. The weak remains weak and the poor gets poorer. Freedom is not a fruit they taste and know how to plant. It is only for the manipulative will of the top dogs.

All this talk about freedom is actually rubbish. Think about it. Why do we need to shout for freedom in the first place? It is because we feel that we are deprived of certain things and something precious has been snacthed from the grip of our hands or we have the desire to want something. In a large scale, one country invades another; in business one company takes over another; in a relationship a girl wins the love of a married man; at home an elder brother bullies his younger sister; in school the strong guy extorts money from the physically challenged and these examples can go on and on. Since young, we are told to guard what is ours and to fight for what we want. Never to let others take them from us. And thus these things become our pride and fear. Pride because they enhance our identity and fear because we can't lose them. So, we device ways to protect them. This does not only pertain to tangible things but also to the intangibles like our freedom of speech, freedom to marry whom we love, freedom of eduction among others.

All these, we have been indoctrinated to believe that they belong to us - belong to me. The I is again emphasied. If these are mine, no one can take them. I have inherent fear that they will be taken from me. Thus, humans make up many things to protect this so-called freedom. Wars, politics, education and status are a small proximity of mechanisms used to make us feel secure.

Don't judge or even analyse. But watch for yourself. See if each and everyone of us is chained by the very thing we call freedom.

Muslim Reading

Sever the chains of the ego. Set yourself free and witness the bright essence of your inner being. Discover within your heart the wisdom of a prophet without books, without teachers, and without prudence.

taken from Mevlana Jalal-e-Din Mohammad Mevlavi Balkhi Rumi, "the life and thought of Rumi"