Author: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Publication: Afternoon Despatch
& Courier
Date: February 20, 2004
URL: http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp?section=features&subsection=guestcolumn&xfile=February2004_srisriravishankar_standard12&child=srisriravishankar
Freedom and discipline are opposites
and complementary. The purpose of defense is to protect freedom.
Freedom and discipline are opposites
and complementary. The purpose of defense is to protect freedom.
But is there freedom in defense? Do soldiers have freedom? No, they are
totally bound, not even allowed to move the right foot when told to put
the left foot down. Their steps are measured and they are unable to even
walk with a natural rhythm. There is total lack of freedom in defense.
That which has absolutely no freedom is protecting the freedom of the country!
So it is with the police; they protect the freedom of the individual. But
are they free?
Discipline protects freedom. They
go hand in hand. Understand this and go forward in life. You have some
restrictions and this is what allows you freedom. You can choose or focus
either on freedom or discipline, and this makes you happy or unhappy. Freedom
without discipline is like a country without defense.
Fences should be fences; a fence
cannot be built everywhere on your property. If your fence is everywhere,
how can you build a house? The state of high absolute freedom is too difficult;
we need to be very practical. Yes, there is a state of unlimited bliss,
the freedom Advaita talks about. But Advaita knowledge has been totally
misused or used to promote one's own whims and conveniences.
There must be awareness in the mind,
love in the heart, and righteousness in action. Love and fear are two possibilities
that put you on track. Some religious use fear to improve life. At a certain
age, nature induces fear in a child. Before that, a child gets all of the
mother's time and love - the child has no fear. As the child grows more
independent, it becomes cautious. Nature brings in an iota of fear. With
freedom, the child starts walking carefully. Fear of losing freedom also
brings defense; the purpose of defense is to eliminate fear.
On this path, knowledge is your
freedom and also your defense.
