What Is True Freedom?

We often look for freedom in our bank accounts or in a schedule with no obligations. But true freedom, the kind that actually changes your life, is not about your external circumstances. It is freedom from your own inner critic. In this talk, we explore the Buddhist perspective on inner freedom. When you clear the self-destructive voices and the heavy emotions you no longer wish to carry, your inner world becomes light and self-compassionate.

Transcript

Big question today.

So what is freedom?

Freedom is not endless money.

Freedom is not like I can do whatever I want every single day.

It's good to have a routine.

Freedom is actually freedom from your inner critic and freedom from your own self-destructive voice and freedom from emotions you don't want.

So Buddhist freedom is actually inner freedom.

It's when you're in the emotional state that is supportive,

That is self-compassionate,

That is light.

Freedom is on the inside and we do inner practices to have freedom on the inside.

Freedom has very little to do with on the outside and when you have freedom on the inside suddenly you find there's lots of freedom on the outside because what's within is always a mirror of what's on the outside.

We always create our outer reality through the inner state we're in.

So I wish you freedom,

Which really means freedom from your inner critic.