The universe we live in is bipolar. It has two sides. Electric current, for example, operates with positive and negative charges, two aspects of an energy current. In fact, what is there in this creation that does not have its other side? Coins are a great analogy for this bipolar aspect of creation because they are so familiar to us and we all use them as part of our monetary exchange system. Coins obviously have two sides: heads [obverse] and queues [reverse]. Freedom also has two faces. One we know, but what about its opposite side? What is the other side of the coin of freedom? Let’s take a look because not knowing what’s behind freedom can actually enslave us … or worse.

Freedom is commonly thought of as a “carte blanche” license. In other words, allowing people to do what they want as long as city, state, federal and national laws are not broken. But what about spiritual laws? Man seldom thinks of them. However, they go beyond human laws and are given almost no consideration in the exercise of freedom.

One aspect of this bipolar world is the law of action and reaction or cause and effect. Illustrated very simply, if we throw a ball against a wall, the ball bounces. The launch is the action and the cause; the bounce of the ball is the reaction and the spin. This fundamental law of cause and effect, action and reaction, is also called karma. Those religiously and spiritually minded understand this as the law of sowing and reaping that every Saint and Mystic has taught and will continue to teach.

When we create an action, even if it is a thought, the energy of that thought or action is placed in the energy Circle of Life. Eventually, that energy returns to surround us with positive or negative results. It can free us or enslave us. Garbage inside garbage outside; health inside, health outside; I hate inside, I hate outside; love inside, love outside.

So here’s the problem: If we create actions that violate spiritual laws, those actions come back to us in the form of reactions. What goes around comes around. Therefore, in consideration of karmic law, uncontrolled freedom is an immense responsibility and a potential danger. Freedom should not be defined as a “carte blanche”, but rather an action taken in consideration of the consequences. “Cause and consequence” is just another way of saying “cause and effect.” In reality, there is no definite freedom to do what we want, especially in relation to spiritual laws, rules and regulations, because every action has a consequence. In its proper definition, discipline and self-control are fundamental to freedom. As the famous mathematician, scientist and philosopher Pythagoras said: No man is free if he cannot control himself. In other words, if we allow ourselves to lose control, we will not be free and may even be enslaved by our own uncontrolled and undisciplined actions.

For example, people are free to consume as much alcohol as they want. There are civil laws against its intoxication, but what about karmic effects that extend beyond civil laws, such as spiritual laws and health-oriented laws? Continuous consumption of alcohol without alcohol [without] discipline and restraint may well lead to alcohol addiction. A person can say to himself: “I am free. I will drink as much as I want.” However, drinking too much will create potentially harmful, negative and destructive physical, mental, financial, emotional, family and social conditions. The person who was once free to consume this freely available destructive and deadly poison now becomes enslaved by it with the potential to not only hurt himself, but to hurt, harm, destroy, and even kill others. All this due to an unintelligent understanding of freedom. Although this misuse of alcohol is just one example, it is easy to take advantage of it to understand how an incomplete perception of freedom can, in fact, lead to slavery. We may be free to act, but we are not free to escape the consequences of our actions. In fact, our actions bind us and can potentially enslave us. How difficult is it, for example, for an alcoholic to free himself from the chains of his alcoholic bondage, chains that were acquired under the guise of freedom of choice?

In short, no one is truly free in the sense that they can do whatever they want. Why? Because every cause has a consequence; every action a reaction. Acting too free will ultimately lead to slavery of one kind or another. Therefore, discipline and self-control are a must when it comes to that beautiful ideal and state of being that we call freedom. So what do we need to know about freedom to avoid being enslaved?

Answer: the opposite side of freedom is slavery. We become enslaved when we do not show enough wisdom to consider the consequences of our actions. prior to we execute those actions or with sufficient temperance when executing them to keep us balanced, safe and secure. To ensure our own safety and well-being, as well as that of others, we must always consider the consequences of our actions before executing them and then use discipline and restraint when executing them.

~ finished

Copyright Richard Andrew King

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