What living from freedom means?
Living from freedom means meeting life’s events with calm openness—allowing challenges to arise without overwhelming you, and responding with clarity and genuine well-being rather than reactive stress.
It is accomplished by relying on direct experience and using concepts as tools, rather than treating them as absolute truths, and by realizing that “I” am not the mind, emotions, or thoughts—which come and go—but the presence in which they arise and subside.
Core Principle of Living from Freedom:
Rest in present-moment awareness without resisting what unfolds, and engage in actions guided by clear understanding rather than automatic perceptions or labels.
What This Means
- “Rest in present-moment awareness…”
- Let your attention naturally settle on what is happening right now, rather than obsessing over past regrets or future fears.
- You don’t need to push anything away or force a special mindset; simply notice thoughts, emotions, and sensations as they arise.
- “…without resisting what unfolds…”
- Recognize that resistance (fighting or denying events, feelings, or bodily sensations) usually adds tension or confusion.
- By not resisting, you allow yourself to see and accept the current situation clearly as it is without mental labeling—whether it’s comfortable or challenging.
- “…and engage in actions guided by clear understanding…”
- Once you’re not fighting reality, you can act mindfully, responding from a calm, informed place.
- “Clear understanding” means relying on direct experience and careful observation rather than assumptions or habitual reactions.
- “…rather than automatic perceptions or labels.”
- It’s easy for the mind to label events or people immediately—“bad,” “good,” “annoying,” “useless.”
- Living from freedom involves recognizing these mental shortcuts and not letting them dictate your response. Instead, you choose your actions based on what’s actually happening and what aligns with your deeper values.
Essential Aspects to Keep in Mind
- Openness
- Staying open means you acknowledge what arises (thoughts, feelings, sensations) without compulsively trying to control or avoid it.
- This openness paves the way for genuine insight and more flexible responses.
- Kindness Toward Yourself
- If you notice you’ve fallen back into old patterns or labeling, acknowledge that gently.
- Self-criticism can drag you into further resistance; self-compassion helps you re-center and move forward with clarity.
- Ongoing Practice
- Living this way isn’t a one-time switch; it’s a consistent, moment-to-moment practice of noticing, allowing, and choosing wisely.
- With regular attention, you’ll find it increasingly natural to act from an unforced sense of freedom.
- Practical Integration
- Insert short pauses in your day—just a breath or two—whenever you sense tension or feel compelled by strong reactions.
- Ask yourself: “Am I resisting something here? Is there a more direct truth I can lean into?” This helps keep you aligned with presence rather than autopilot judgments.
Summary
Living from freedom is about continually resting in a relaxed awareness of what is—without automatically resisting or labeling—and then choosing your actions from a place of clarity and inner congruence. By repeatedly practicing non-resistance and mindful response, you foster a more open, truthful, and easeful way of engaging with life’s ever-changing flow.
