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What Is True Freedom?

posted by Annie B. Bond Jul 24, 2002 11:14 am
filed under: Spirituality, Inspiration
18 comments

Adapted from A Handmade Life, by Wm. S. Coperthwaite (Chelsea Green, 2002).

In our society there is great confusion about the concept of freedom. What is it? And when does it become something else?

Just for example, many people think “Isn’t it okay to spray my lawn with toxic chemicals? After all, it’s my lawn. And it‘s a free country.”

Find out what this amazing teacher and philosopher has to say about the true nature of freedom. There are some very quotable quotes here to pass along to your friends.

Freedom without responsibility is license. We have people feeling they can do what they like with “their” land, not realizing that their actions may injure someone else in another place and time. Cutting trees to clear mountain land may cause flooding for a neighbor downstream and cause “my” soil to be washed away, destroying the birthright of another generation.

We should be free to nurture and to care for but not to destroy.

True freedom does not harm others.

More on Inspiration (576 articles available)
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A Handmade Life

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18 comments add your comment
Jeff J.
  • Jeff J. says
  • Dec 21, 2009 4:30 AM

Freedom means different things to different people...

Erica Hidvegi

Great piece ! If it is freedom we are talking about here is a great example: driving your car--privilage or right ? and should you be licensed or not ? Freedom to drive it anywhere you want within a set of limits usually not too disadvantaging . . .

Emerald Jordan

"...free to nurture and to care for, but not to destroy" Ah, my kind of thinking, it is an inner conviction that says "I'm ok, and you're ok, if you are not ok, I have done nothing to add to your discontent. If for some reason I have added to your discontent, please forgive me, and I forgive myself."

Lisa K.
  • Lisa K. says
  • Feb 15, 2008 7:38 PM

~~Freedom is each of ours to make, and the consequences of that choice will affect future generations to come~~

petra H.

to feel freedom inside ourself we also feel that we can communicate with all life, and ask for direction!!!
All life has spirit we have to ask, take time to listen to your heart!!!
Being a free spirit is acceptation and honoring life in a peaceful way

Kim Verhamme

I see freedom as inner freedom. Freedom from the past and free from the future. This allows us to be mindful of the present moment. Which opens the mind to clear seeing reality. When this is obtained everything is possible :)

Kim Verhamme

I view freedom as inner freedom, freedom from the past, free from the future. Such an inner freedom allows the simplicity of the present moment. This opens the mind to clear seeing reality.

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Dora Nunez

For me true freedom is the one we can achieve in our souls, minds and hearts; and that is only posible if we love all crearion thinking we are part of it and beeing so, we try not to harm it.

Jennifer P.

I think aboout it this way, Gods written plan in in time, and the free will he gave us is what we do in that time. People make bad decisions because we were all raised to only look out for what we were taught to look out for. If the new parents of this generation stress how important the earth is then we have a bright future ahead.

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Adapted from A Handmade Life, by Wm. S. Coperthwaite (Chelsea Green, 2002). Copyright (c) 2002 by Wm. S. Coperthwaite. Reprinted by permission of Chelsea Green.

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