There are ten thousand assumptions that perpetuates the illusion of suffering.
There are three basic assumptions: (though somewhat exaggerated)
Therefore, it is expected that:
This social contract instills the following beliefs and values among people:
Individual assumptions based from experiences.
With a plethora of internal and external illusions, freedom seems almost impossible. Perhaps one can gain a glimpse of true freedom by accepting that there's no such thing as freedom. However, as we all know, this creates the duality that one must either believe that there is freedom or there is no freedom.
From experience, we can tell that most dualities only serve to confuse without getting any closer to the truth. Those who do not believe in freedom inevitably become puppets of the system but those who believe in freedom inevitably makes an enemy of the system, a fight that they cannot win.
To believe in freedom or not, which poison to take? Neither. When offered two choices, there is always the third choice of not making any choice. Thus, the right thing to do would be to not believe in freedom but also not believing that there is no freedom. This is confusing to logical readers who rely on reason but not to spiritually awakened readers who believe that it's normal for opposites to co-exist as they often do in nature.
What are the implications? If I don't believe in freedom, then I will stop trying to chase and find it. And if I also don't believe that there is no freedom, I will never lose hope and believe that freedom will arrive on its own when the time is right.
Thus, freedom stops existing as an object than can be grasp, found, and owned but continues to exist as inevitable state resulting from constant change. Indeed, the concept of freedom stops being something that can be achieved and possessed but it becomes similar to death, something that can never be understood but one that inevitably arrives in due time.
This means that even if we were to do nothing, freedom will surely arrive at some point in time. It's not something that can be found by working hard, chasing goals, or acquiring superpowers but it's something that comes naturally. We all free before we were even born and through life and death we can actualize this potential freedom and awaken ourselves.
What people call internal freedom is simply peace of mind. What people call external freedom is simply greed. Freedom is neither confined to inside or outside, that's why it is called freedom. Freedom can never be found inside treasure chests or trophies, that's why it is called freedom. Freedom can never be sold, possessed, or taken away, that's why it is called freedom. By its very nature, freedom cannot be confined to material possessions or mental states — that is why it is called freedom.
We have always been free beings. Yet by believing that we are not free, that we are not enough, we are perpetuating the illusion that we are not free and we must work hard to be free. Despite this illusion, we are still free beings, for the illusion cannot change the truth, just as how lies cannot change what already happened. Regardless what happens, we are bound to experience and attain freedom, not because enough time has passed, not because we have accumulated enough merits, but because we have always been free to begin with.
When it comes to exercising freedom among people, it is necessary to ask for permission or consent, even if it means opening oneself for rejection. One who is prepared to get rejected can also get accepted. The possibility of rejection is a necessary risk to take for anyone who desires to exercise their freedom in society.
There's this viral TikTok video where a group of random strangers walked inside a random person's house without saying a word. The mom who was sweeping the floor was horrified. They sat at the sofa as the dad was pleading them to leave because he has kids, so they left.
It was a really shocking video, I didn't expect people to make a big deal out of it and even prompt authorities to take action. I seriously thought people inside the house would say "oh feel free to come in, drink some cookies and eat some tea" but no, they actually got horrified even if these people did nothing but wander around the house and sit on the sofa. It made me realize that people care a lot about their tiny houses.
I think if they simply asked permission instead, there's a microscopic chance that they'll be allowed inside but they'll probably would just get rejected and given suspicious looks if they did that haha. I think if these guys used their brain a little and said "greetings, do you have insurance?", they'll more likely be allowed to explore inside. And if they used maximum brain power and said "we're home safety inspectors, we are here to check if your home is safe" then presented fake ID's, they'll be instantly allowed inside the house where they can explore as much as they want without scaring anyone.
It's annoying but one has to risk facing rejection whenever they try to exercise their freedom in the world. But one should know that neither rejection, failure, nor mistakes can take away their freedom as free beings. It's simply part of the results. Just as how the universe allows one to do anything they want, one should allow the universe to respond in whatever way it wants.
Just as how we need a glass of water to drink water properly, we need permission for us to exercise the full extent of our freedom. Sure, rejection can happen. But if we can use our brain just a little bit, rejection will be the one to avoid us. Mindless freedom can only bring a person to jail but smart freedom can take one to the highest heaven.
Indeed, those who mindlessly do crazy things to others will speedrun themselves to prison. But those who do crazy things with utmost planning and calculation can speedrun themselves to highest level of chaos and pleasure. If a person impulsively does what they want, they will be called a creep. If a person asks for permission, they will be called cute. But if they use even a single brain cell, they will be called hot. It's really simple. There's no use hesitating about it.
What is the point of carrying a big and long sword if you don't want to use it? If you don't want to see even a drop of blood? For anyone who carries such a heavy sword but unable to use it, they cannot help but see the world as unfair. But for those who carry such a sword but can freely use it, they will become one of the rulers of the world.
Even if one believes that they are a free being, if they cannot trust themselves, if their feet and mouth are bound by fear, freedom will be nothing more than just a fantasy for them, something that doesn't exist in reality. If you know you have freedom, but you cannot dare ask for permission nor use a single brain cell, then using your freedom will only take you to the court. Those who carry a heavy sword but do not use it will only burden themselves.
Thus, before one tries to exercise their freedom, they must learn to hold and swing their sword. It would be difficult learning the way of the sword without any help from anyone but it is definitely possible. There's nothing wrong with not learning the way of the sword but that would mean one will never be able to use the sword that they inherited from their ancestors, only turning it as a burden to carry on their back.
The first thing one needs to learn about the way of the sword is conviction. You must have an unwavering conviction that will keep the sword from your hand, preventing it from flying anywhere. If you cannot hold the sword properly, it will be the one to hurt you. And if you were to swing the sword, your conviction will keep you from hesitating. For the most important thing, you must first ask yourself: why are you wielding the sword? Or why are you carrying it in the first place?
Because if you cannot answer these questions, my disciple, when the time comes where you have to fight, you will hesitate and die. Even worse is when you accidentally let go of the sword, it will stab you and you will die. There is no more shameful than a swordsman who is killed by his own sword. Before we practice, you must contemplate these questions and answer them.
Why do you desire freedom? Why do you want to exercise your freedom? Why do you deserve to have that freedom? There is no right or wrong answers to these questions. Each one must find their own path. Each star must revolve in its own orbit. Unless you can answer these questions with unwavering conviction, you will never be able to use a single brain cell, much less ask anyone for permission to exercise your freedom.
"Do you dare to wield the sword of freedom?"