The Meaning of Freedom

Last year, I received a message showing different quotes and what struck me was the one quoted by Leo Tolstoy: " Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." Tolstoy's words seem to speak about our current national dilemma: the call for national change. Many statespersons, lawmakers, political officials and critics, and concerned citizens have uttered their viewpoints, so as to give their takes and to propose solutions. However, amid many years of political commotions, I am no expert. I am not even joining any actions on the streets clamoring the oust or resignation of GMA. While the church and different groups are on the move to restore the integrity of the nation, trying to sweep corruption by doing noise barrages, rallies, masses, and communal actions, I'm here right in the comforts of my four-cornered universe. While hearing every person who has the power and freedom of speech, voicing out their thoughts to justify the action of removing a single powerful entity that rules this nation, I am only here in quiet observation.

But one couldn't really say I care less.

I am not pro nor anti-GMA, and I neither support nor rebuke these clamors against her and her bureaucracy. I do not sympathize with any oppositions nor abhor them. There's no reason to seek any sides of opposing poles. It seems that endless fighting does not produce any victors at all. GMA reaffirms her power and confidence to stay on it, while the opposition recharges its power to counterattack. Almost all levels of society are seeing things in only dualistic perspective, while considering neutral positions to be remarkably unconcerned. But what is the use of saying this politician or that politician evil? Should one cast stones to the other without seeing oneself worthy of them? We have witnessed every action that is external, using broadcast, print and other forms of media. People want to carbon copy the act and effect of the 1986 people power, which are always believed to be the best way to combat the existing regime of greed. But are Filipinos forgetting the most important thing in these dire times?

If one might say that I am against whatever action, I will reiterate my point. I neither agree nor disagree with whatever social actions, nor I have any biases on opinions. In a country that clamors for change, its people must transcend from walking down the streets. Any social participation is good, which was once demonstrated by people power. We always stress the importance of nonviolence in catalyzing a change, but nonviolence doesn't stop in refusing physical or coercive violence. We must begin to see the violence that exists deep within.

To examine our minds and hearts is a good place to start. Are our minds and hearts corrupted, not by greed of money or power, but by hatred with other people whom we thought are evil? Are we deeply attached to all thoughts and emotions of anger and revenge? Do we limit ourselves through social and political outcries and coercion to achieve change? If the answers to these questions ring some subtle truths, we ourselves are fermented by our own drive to get even, to compensate this injustice we think have been done to us. We have been harboring these frustrations in longing for this absolute freedom our forefathers and patriotic martyrs had once tried to achieve. In each turn of generations, we are still tormented. We often ask ourselves why is that, after putting all our efforts and wounding our spirits, every action becomes futile. We have always believed that we are good people doing all the things we could to stop evil for becoming triumphant. Yet what we have been fighting are still being fought for, and we find series of defeats thwarting our hopes.

We can do one thing, which is the very core of Christ's teaching two millennia ago: Love our enemy. But the true enemy is not outside or far from us, not someone whom we believe wield political powers and economic machinery. That enemy is not the one the society hates. Our true enemy is ourselves. We are our own enemy. This enemy that acts with all fear, that holds grudges and prejudice against others, and always believe that needs brute force to allow change to take place. This enemy in the form our desire to destroy someone for all intents and purposes, for the sake of nation's welfare. Every bitter emotions and thoughts will continue to madden us until the time we embrace this inner enemy by dropping all the burdens that chain us into bondage. We will be eternal slaves until we choose to free ourselves.

Yesterday, a remarkable day was celebrated. Yesterday was a reminder of our freedom. Though Independence day is always a day to remember, there's is more to do than any citizen's observance. This day is to remember not what happened in the past, nor the things our nation desires to achieve. This day is to remember the power of today; today when we find our hearts beating with freedom. True freedom not from colonizers, nor from the talons of our political predators, but the freedom from our anger towards them, our sadness towards our losing hopes, our cravings towards any national dreams we are yet to fulfill. True freedom is achieved when each of us, whatever national turmoil we have, would open hearts to intend Love, then let our peace flow; when we suspend our judgments against whom and what we see as enemies, we can forgive them and ourselves equally at the very same time. Freedom is to regain our own responsibility of nurturing a peaceful spirit towards what we like and dislike. Through our Loving hearts only true freedom can be achieved, the freedom that honors and upholds the genuine Filipino soul.