What is freedom?

by Dr. E.W. Adikaram-February 3, 2020,

Extracted from the second volume of ‘Sitivili’
(pages 150-154) First published in 1972.
English translation by Ravi Palihawadana.

The day that a country obtained its political independence from a colonial power or the day that a tyrannical regime was overthrown is celebrated as the Independence Day of that country. Many countries including Sri Lanka celebrate their Independence Day annually.

Although there is a certain consolation in having obtained political freedom, is it possible to assume that the people of those countries are free?

If someone is under any sort of influence, is it possible in any way to assume that he is free? Just as this is applicable for a single individual, it is applicable to a group of people, too. A country under the yoke of a colonial power does not enjoy independence as it is subjected to the influence of that colonial power. Similarly, if a person is under the influence of another person or some inanimate thing, that person is not free either.

A group of people is referred to as a society or a nation. A person may isolate himself from society. But there is no society or nation that is devoid of people. Therefore, for a nation to be free, its people should be free. In other words, a society that lacks people, who are free of any form of influence, is not a free society. As such, the freedom of a country is based on the freedom of its people. If a country that is devoid of free people celebrates its freedom, which is nothing but a hollow, spurious celebration. Since Sri Lanka too celebrates its independence annually, it is worthwhile to find out whether the people in this country are [actually] free.

It is patently obvious that a person under the influence of someone or something is not a free person. This is an appropriate yardstick to determine whether we are free or not.

Generally, a person is not aware of the influences that he is under. He does not recognise these influences and is not aware that he is being subjugated and oppressed by them. Therefore, he does not attempt to lead a life free of those influences. This is the primary reason why free people are exceedingly rare in the world. When we investigate a little further, it becomes apparent that we are living under various influences. Let us look at a few of them.

Wealth is one of the main influences. Its cruel influence is not easily seen because a certain amount of wealth is necessary for anyone to sustain his life. A person must earn his wealth in a righteous manner. A person becomes a psychological slave [to wealth] not in earning a certain amount of money [for his upkeep] but in earning with the desire to amass wealth or with the desire to become rich. Then he comes under the influence of wealth and loses his freedom.

A man who amasses wealth is a fool who should be pitied. But some are jealous of him, some others hate him. In the process, they too come under the influence of jealousy or hatred. If we hate something, that becomes a fetter that cannot be unshackled from our consciousness. Hence, just as the wealthy are devoid of freedom, so are the hateful.

Power is also something that completely destroys one’s freedom and enchains one. First, he who wields power loses his freedom. The power obtained lasts only as long as one safeguards it. The powerful is under the bondage of power. Hence, he cannot be a free person. But since he enjoys a certain brutish pleasure in subjugating others, he is not aware that he is not a free person. In this context, the village thug, the politician and the leader of a religious organisation are all the same. It is not necessary to discuss the condition of those who are under the influence of the powerful. How can they ever be free?

Just as the powerful, the leader is also not a free person. A leader retains his position because of his followers. Hence, he is constantly under the pressure of having to please his followers. That is why he is not a free person. A leader would not like to admit this. But it is not difficult to see through this veneer.

The follower is a weakling. He follows a leader because he is not able to stand on his own feet. He is like the chaff in the wind. Naturally, he too does not know what freedom is.

One of the strongest influences that affect mankind is the sexual urge. This is something that we have inherited from animals in the process of evolution. In animals, it is a seasonal period of unrest that is essential for the perpetuation of the species. But in man, because of his ability to think, it has become a limitless, all-season aberration that is purely based on seeking pleasure. Since man is under its influence, it has become a primary reason for his loss of freedom.

Many habits that men have cultivated also curtail his freedom. Smoking and alcohol are two prime examples. He who has come under their influence cannot do without them. In other words, he is a slave to these habits. What freedom for someone who is a slave to a habit? How unfortunate it is that a human being with the capacity to think becomes a slave to such inanimate things?

The craving to amass wealth, the hunger for power, jealousy, hatred, being a leader, being a follower, lust and habits are all internal compulsions. There may be external influences, but these urges arise internally and destroy the internal world. It makes the internal world unsuitable for freedom to flourish. All these influences can be summed up in one word: ‘me’. As long as the ‘me’ exists, there is no freedom. A man attains independence on the day the notion of ‘me’ disappears. If there are a few who are fortunate to enjoy that ‘day of independence’ in a country, that country may perhaps move towards obtaining true freedom.