Liberation

I have become fascinated with the idea that we all have our own slightly different versions of definitions for words. Even when the language is common if there is a lack of clarification it can sometimes create a false belief of understanding. This type of miscommunication can be especially frustrating because both people feel they expressed themselves correctly and the other was at fault. In reality it is a collaborative effort.

The very same reason that makes this idea challenging also makes it beautiful. For words that represent ambiguous emotion or states of being there are often times numerous ways of defining them. We take our personal life exposures and overtime build an internal understanding of what they mean to us.

As I am learning this I am becoming more aware of the multiple lenses in which a concept can be viewed trough and I am curious about exploring as many of them as I can.

This week I have continued to notice a theme of freedom appearing in my thoughts and actions. When I sat down to evaluate the word liberation came to mind so I decided to look deeper into that one instead.

I think a great place to build a foundation of understanding is with the actual definition that a selected collection of esteemed individuals decided upon. As every classic wedding speech begins, I started with the definition from the dictionary (aka Google search)..

“Freedom from limits on thoughts or behavior”

And was even recommended another version which read:

“The act or process of freeing someone or something from another’s control”

I suppose these are the two most widely accepted versions. Both involve the lack of determined boundaries for any form of action.

In my brief research I came across a powerful quote that I remember discussing in school after reading Man’s Search For Meaning.

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

Viktor Frankl

This expression provided me with an entirely new way of relating to the idea of liberation. At the original time of reading this (four years ago) I was not familiar with this space. Now, crediting my yoga practice along with the words of Michael Singer, I am very much so. The personal realization for me occurred only two years ago.. I am in fact not the voice in my head but the one who observes it. This recognition has since created that space between stimulus and response for me.

I am learning to no longer identify as a victim to circumstance. By accepting responsibility for the choice of my reaction I am liberating myself from the control of the external environment.

Xo,

Bri