Freedom is not given to us by anyone; we have to cultivate it ourselves. It is a daily practice . . . No one can prevent you from being aware of each step you take or each breath in and out.” Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Buddhist Monk
Being free has been on my mind this week! I’ve thought about freedom that is violently taken away or severely restricted. We see examples of this throughout the world. The freedom I’ve been contemplating is our individual freedom to make choices. It’s an inner freedom as well. Unless there are health restriction we are free to love, breathe, think, smell, hear, believe, and so much more. I agree with Thich Nhat Hanh when he says, “. . . We have to cultivate it ourselves.” To consciously make choices to BE free takes courage at times, doesn’t it?
I’ve been thinking about the many opportunities I’ve had throughout my life. Before becoming more consciously awake, as I look back, it seems like I lived life on auto pilot at times. Now, I realize that living and making conscious choices are life giving and enriching. I’ve never thought about how much courage it took me to choose to change my beliefs and to choose to become more loving, compassionate, understanding, accepting and more. Hafiz, Persian lyric poet has said that, “We have come into this exquisite world to experience ever and ever more deeply our divine courage, freedom and light.” Just like peace and happiness, freedom and courage begin within each one of us. Our inner life reflects our outer life in many cases.
It may sound like that I feel this journey is easy. It isn’t. There have been many challenges and rewards along the way. I can’t imagine how I would react if I were physically in a war. I know what it feels like for my inner world to be at war and there were moments of clarity and lots of chaos. You may have experienced this too! Not fun but like many of you we made choices to courageously move forward!
My prayer for each one of you is to keep going. Be bold, courageous and free! It all begins within you! I will close today with something that Mahatma Gandhi, Indian lawyer and political ethicist said, “I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. I see your beauty. I hear your need. I feel your feelings. My wisdom flows from the highest Source. I salute the source in you. Let us work together for unity and peace.” You are amazing! I’m sending lots of love to each one of you!
If you are interested in more personal support, together, we can explore releasing resistance to being the best you can be which includes: old habits, behaviors, past life influences, emotions, and the illusion of what you are not.
I am available, for private intuitive coaching sessions at Storm Wisdom on Tuesdays from 1p – 6p by appointment or if you would like to connect with me or schedule a channeled private session on Tuesdays and explore becoming more of who you are, please call Storm Wisdom (602)334-1204. I am also available by phone or Zoom on other days. To schedule go to victoriabarna.com.