As fireworks light up the sky and communities in the U.S. come together to celebrate the 4th of July, conversations occasionally turn to notions of freedom and liberty. These ideals are deeply ingrained in the American consciousness, and yet, these concepts can also be a source of frustration and division, influenced by myriad political, economic, and social lenses through which each person, family, or group view them. For those of us on a path of personal transformation and as members of a yoga community, this time offers a unique opportunity to reflect on a different kind of freedom and liberation—one that transcends external circumstances and speaks to the heart of the inner journey. This is the principle of moksha, a concept deeply rooted in yogic philosophy that offers profound insights into true liberation.
Moksha, derived from the Sanskrit word meaning "to free" or "to let go," refers to the ultimate goal of liberation from the cycle of (re)incarnation: birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). Moksha, therefore, is the release from the bindings of karma, the transcending of ego, and the attainment of a state of transcendent peace and enlightenment. Unlike the political or social freedoms celebrated on Independence Day, moksha is an inward journey toward self-realization and spiritual freedom.
Attainment of moksha – like the attainment of full enlightenment – is quite a huge and lofty goal! But even if full attainment is not possible in just one lifetime, the journey toward moksha is a deeply worthwhile, meaningful, and personal one, marked by self-discovery, self-awareness, and inner transformation. It involves cultivating detachment and practicing compassion. Below are ways one could begin integrating these principles into daily life.
Detachment (Vairagya)
Detachment doesn't mean disengaging from life or becoming indifferent to the world around us. Rather, it is about releasing our clinging to material possessions, roles, expectations, outcomes, achievements, and relationships that can often dictate our sense of identity, self-worth, and happiness. In a Yoga Journal article from 2021 titled, “ Balancing Effort and Surrender,” author Richard Rosen writes:
Vairagya is rooted in raga, which means both “coloring” and “passion.” But vairagya means “growing pale.” One interpretation is that our consciousness is typically “colored” by our attachments, whether they are objects, other people, ideas, or other things. These attachments influence how we identify with ourselves and with others. And because they come and go willy-nilly, we’re always at their mercy and suffer accordingly. Through vairagya, we “bleach” our consciousness of these colorings. This isn’t to say we have to abandon our possessions, friends, or beliefs; we just have to recognize their transitory nature and be ready to surrender them at the appropriate time. Our consciousness becomes like a “transparent jewel” (Yoga Sutra I.41) that allows the light of our authentic Self, the atman, to shine through brilliantly without distortion. Then we know ourselves as we truly are, at once eternal and eternally blissful.
By practicing detachment through this cultivation of clarity and transparency with regard to the typical colorings of our thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and attachments, we learn to find more contentment and peace within ourselves, regardless of external circumstances. And even in moments or phases of life where certain attachments ‘flare’ in heightened or even painful ways, for those on a spiritual or yogic path, there is simultaneously a recognition and understanding that these kinds of things are both difficult and powerful and beneficial to see, feel, and discover more about – as transforming them is part of the key to true freedom and liberation.
Practice: Begin by observing your attachments. Either in a contemplative meditation space, or through journaling, engage in a systematic review of your current life with regard to material possessions, roles, expectations, outcomes, achievements, and relationships. Notice how certain possessions, expectations, outcomes, or relationships affect your mood and sense of self. Practice ‘loosening’ your attachments to one or more of these aspects of your life by imagining and visualizing strings that tie you to that/those things, and imagining/visualizing yourself loosening the string(s) or untying the knots that bind you to them. Ask yourself, “Who am I beyond material possessions, roles, expectations, outcomes, achievements, and relationships?” Conclude with a phase of meditation where you remember and affirm that your true essence is beyond these attachments. Feel the expansiveness of you and your Presence beyond any material possession, , expectation, outcome, or relationship.
Compassion (Karuna)
Compassion is at the heart of the yogic path. It involves recognizing the suffering of others and responding with kindness and empathy. By cultivating compassion, we break down the barriers created by the ego and its constant tendency toward creating separation, and instead, foster a sense of unity with others. Additionally, self-acceptance and self-compassion are necessary for cultivation of other principles and practices, including detachment (vairagya), as it takes us out of loops where we make ourselves ‘bad’ or ‘wrong’, and instead, see ourselves as humans on an evolutionary journey toward our individual and collective spiritual destinies.
…from the point of view of yogic philosophy, it’s more useful to view our personal breakdowns, addictions, losses, and errors not as failures of, or distractions from, our spiritual journey but as potent invitations to crack our hearts open. In both yoga and Buddhism, the ocean of suffering we encounter in life – both our own and that which surrounds us – is seen as a tremendous opportunity to awaken our compassion, or karuna, a Pali word that literally means “a quivering of the heart in response to a being’s pain”... Working with yoga in this way, we take the first steps toward becoming intimate with our own inner worlds in all of their light and shadow – an intimacy that is one of the foundations of true karuna. As Tibetan Buddhist teacher Pema Chödrön writes, “If we are willing to stand fully in our own shoes and never give up on ourselves, then we will be able to put ourselves in the shoes of others and never give up on them. True compassion does not come from wanting to help out those less fortunate than ourselves but from realizing our kinship with all beings.”
Practice: Do a loving-kindness meditation (metta), starting by breathing in and out of your heart, as if your heart were a third lung, capable of doing some of your breathing for you. Then, keep breathing in and out of your heart, while sending thoughts of wellbeing, care, and loving-kindness first to yourself, then gradually extend these feelings to loved ones, acquaintances, and even those you find challenging. You can then extend these feelings to whole groups, nations, the whole of humanity, and the Earth itself. Feel what occurs in your heart as you do this practice, and if you have time, journal or draw about your experience(s) afterward.
As we contemplate the path toward moksha, it is essential to understand that inner liberation and outer freedom are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they complement and enhance each other.
For example, while the journey toward moksha is deeply personal, it is also enriched by the support and connection of a like-minded and like-hearted community where people share similar values. Namaspa Yoga Community is a sanctuary where, on a regular basis, we explore these and other yogic and spiritual principles together through classes, workshops, trainings, events, and simply sharing our experiences and learning from one another.
Additionally, by experiencing glimpses of inner freedom and liberation over time, we gain the clarity, strength, and compassion needed to work effectively toward outer freedom and justice through things like seeing the ripple effects of our personal transformation into our families and communities, participating in service (seva), and engaging in conscious advocacy and activism – approaching social and political issues with a sense of inner calm and compassion, advocating for change from a place of love rather than anger, and working toward solutions that honor the dignity and humanity of all individuals.
So, as we celebrate this Independence Day season, let's take time to also reflect on the deeper meaning of liberation – the kind that brings us closer to our true selves and to one another.
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