The Yoga of True Independence – Freeing our Mind

One of the most sought after experiences that any living creature seeks is ‘Freedom’. And, why not? Freedom, for most of us means, is just being ourselves, feeling empowered, to laugh when we want to and seek & explore places & avenues to be just ‘happy’ and yes more importantly, in today’s time, be just ‘Stress free’.

As kids, we saw and felt the immense and infinite power in our ‘potential’ however as we grow up into adulthood, we tend to accumulate tons of ‘self-limiting beliefs’ and ‘unwarranted fears’.

This precisely may make us eventually lose the ‘freedom’ which we were born with, that is, to shape our life the way we always wanted to.

What is real Freedom?

Freedom for many may mean to do what they want to anytime anywhere however in Yogic Philosophy, real freedom is beautifully defined by one great Sanskrit word and one central concept called ‘Moksha’.

Here it is to be noted that, in Sanskrit, (as one of the richest and as one of the most ancient languages in the World), each word has infinite depth and manifold interpretations (as per its usage and context).

The Concept of Moksha

In simple terms, ‘Moksha Moksha (Sanskrit: मोक्ष, mokṣa)’, also called ‘Vimoksha, Vimukti and Mukti’ stands for ‘freedom’, more so it stands for ‘liberation of the mind and the beliefs held in it’ and extends to mean various dimensions of ‘enlightenment, liberation, and release’.

Hence in Yogic Philosophy, Moksha is freedom from ignorance and Moksha thus means immense self-realization, self-actualization and self-knowledge. In Moksha as in many Yogic Practices, we tend to experience various emotions, and joy, peace, tranquility and bliss are just a few of them to describe such profound moments.


Yoga and Freedom- celebrating ‘true’ Independence

The Practice of Yoga, besides the physical flexibility by way of Asanas, also includes activating our subtle energies, bringing in mind flexibility and tranquility (by way of manifold methods of meditation, mindfulness, chanting etc.). The practice of Yoga leads us thus to real freedom & Independence, that is, liberation from the shakles of the mind and the self -limiting beliefs held in it.

Let’s look at 3 Yogic Thoughts on this auspicious day of India’s 75th year of Independence

Yogic Thought 1: Gratitude to value our Freedom

Let’s remember and display gratitude to all those who fought for our Freedom and for their sacrifices. Let’s express gratitude for the roof we have, the liberties which we enjoy and the land, for the nourishment it offers.


Yogic Thought 2: Display confidence, courage and fearlessness

Yogic practices gives us the physical and psychological strength to achieve the life of abundance, happiness and bliss which we all are born for and with.

“True freedom has to do with the human spirit — it is the freedom to be who we really are.” – Don Miguel Ruiz, author of ‘The Four Agreements’, a beautiful book which advocates personal freedom from beliefs and agreements that we have made with ourselves and live a life of abundance.

Yogic Thought 3: Be Neutral to praise and criticism

Yoga talks about connecting with the self and does not look outside for any endorsements. The central theme of this thought is that our relationship and belief with ourselves shapes our relationship with the outside World. It’s in a way trusting your own greatness, your own

uniqueness and not get biased by the self-limiting beliefs of the World around.

…to sum it up

Yoga talks about the real essence of freedom and Independence, the freedom which we all are born with, the freedom to enjoy the bliss, peace, fearlessness and the confidence which we are created for and yes, freedom from the ‘Stresses of the Mind’- Moksha

Happy 75th Independence Day, India! Jai Hind.

Team Sense22Yoga