Brahma is described as having the nature of wisdom. That is why it has been said that the end of wisdom is freedom. So, freedom means Jnana Tattva or the light of wisdom, but not the unrestrained way in which we try to live our lives in this world. (SSB 1972, p. 148)
Freedom is very necessary but before we enjoy freedom, we should understand what is meant by freedom. The freedom that is implied here should arise out of wisdom and out of character, which you build up as a result of your education. (SSB 1974, p. 6)
‘Jnanadeva tu kaivalyam’: By knowledge alone freedom is won. (UV, p. 2)
When you spend your hours in thoughts about God, you are also free from evil ways. You will not be tempted to abuse others or harm them in any way. You live in Love, accepting all the events of life as His Gifts. (SSS Vol.9, p. 56)
The clearly declares that only the Hridayapushpa (heart-lotus), free from impurities that grows in the Manasarovar, the pellucid waters of the mind, is worthy to be offered to God. (GV, p. 186)
Freedom is independence from externals. Care who is in need of the help of another person, thing or condition is a slave thereof. Perfect freedom is not given to any man on earth, because the very meaning of mortal life is relationship with and dependence on another. The lesser the number of wants, the greater is the freedom. Hence, perfect freedom is absolute desirelessness. (Golden Age, 1979)
People in the West talk about freedom. What is this freedom? Does it mean acting as you please, doing what you like? Not at all. True freedom consists in keeping the senses under control. A man wants to drink. But he gets tipsy after a drink. What happens to this freedom? He has lost a little sense he had. Freedom does not consist in indulgence. Real freedom comes from realisation of the Self. The end of wisdom is freedom. (SSS Vol.22, p. 13)
There is a great deal of talk about freedom. Largeness of heart, refinement of sensibilities and purity of the mind constitute true freedom. Freedom does not mean living as you please. Self-control, self-satisfaction, and self-knowledge constitute together the supreme expression of freedom. Freedom today has been equated with license. This is a travesty of freedom. (SSS Vol.21, p. 60)
When does one have real freedom? Only when the mind is destroyed. When you use words ‘Svabhava’ and ‘Sveccha’, you have to understand their true meaning ‘Swa means Self or Atma. Hence ‘Svabhava’ means the nature of Atma. Likewise, Swa + Iccha = ‘Sveccha’ means the volition of the Atma. Strictly speaking, it should be understood as volition which is in line with the Atma, since Atma per se has no volition. In the light of these meanings, it is incorrect to use the terms ‘Svabhava’ and ‘Sveccha’ in connection with matters relating to the activities of the body, senses, mind and intellect. It should be recognised that the man’s life is regulated by the laws of Nature on the one hand, and by the man-made rules and regulations on the other. Such being the case, there is no validity in everyone thinking for himself that he has freedom to act, as he likes. It is a relative truth, because in absolute terms, existence is only one, and hence the word ‘freedom’ is out of place in this context. (ICS , p. 133)
As long as the mind is there, no one can claim to be enjoying freedom. (ICS , p. 134)You should understand the difference between freedom and duty. Duty may be considered under three categories. ‘Sambandham - relationship something voluntary and optional; Nirbandham - compulsion and Kartavyam - obligation. (ICS , p. 136)
There is no freedom for man is acting according to ‘relationship, compulsion and obligation’. There is freedom only at the level of the Atma or Self. Engage yourself in any activity, but always keep in view your true nature as the Self or Atma. If you do so, you will surely enjoy real freedom. There are no two kinds of freedom – individual and spiritual. Adhyatmikam or spirituality alone is ‘Swatantrya’ or freedom. Freedom alone is spirituality. If anyone in this phenomenal world says he is having freedom, we can call it only ‘Verri Swatantrya’ or crazy freedom. It may also be called ‘Ahamkara Swatantrya’ i.e. freedom of the ego and ‘Abhimana Swatantrya’, i.e., freedom of infatuation or attachment. (ICS , p. 138)
If free from arrogance, you are loved. If free from anger, you are free of sorrow. If free from desire, you gain wealth. If free from greed, you become happy. (SSS Vol.30, p. 127)
People talk glibly about freewill. There is one seat of Freedom, and that is the heart (the spiritual heart). It is permanent and unchanging. As long as man is swayed by the mind, there will be differences and distinctions. These are due to the waywardness of the mind and are not indications of individual freedom.
All talk of freedom for man in this phenomenal world can only refer to an insane or egoistic form. This egoistic freedom may be used in certain relationships such as man’s attitude towards his wife or child. But any exercise of freedom towards them in an authoritative manner can be described only as a travesty of freedom. It is a sign of foolishness. To behave in such an egoistic manner is unbecoming to any one calling himself a human being. Man can raise himself to a higher level only if he gives up authoritarian behaviour. You must accord to others the same amount of freedom, which you claim for yourself. Freedom is interdependent and can never be absolute or unrestricted. (LIC, p. 120)
Today Indians are lured away by the concept of ‘freedom’, the mark of western civilization. Freedom is not licence. Freedom is restraint. Restraint of the mind and the senses is real freedom. Reckless abandonment to the things of the world is not freedom. India has won political freedom, but not economic, moral and spiritual freedom. People must have self-confidence. You should not depend on others. You should depend on yourselves. This is known as self-support. (SSB 1993, p. 107)
He who considers himself free is free indeed, and he who considers himself bound remains bound. Think yourself to be free, the eternal unlimited Consciousness-Bliss, and you will be free and happy. Constantly think of yourself as the eternally free Self. Realise, you are ever free. (NNSG Vol.5, p. 238)