The topic for this episode is “The Freedom to Be!
We celebrate independence as a country (as in many other countries) from imperialism, colonialism, and down to apartheid systems and invasions. The common denominator in all these systems is oppression. There is always a country, or another entity that holds power over something, someone, or groups of people. And “power over” is the keyword here.
When people have power over others, it means that they take away their very essence of being—and we see that in many ways, our suffering also increases under these kinds of oppression. And these kinds of oppression exist in many different areas of of our human experience—in varied institutions including education, religion, healthcare, legal, financial, et cetera.. Everywhere we turn, there seems to be an obstruction that impinges on our experiences. With time, we lose our way.
But there is always hope. The hope to seek new pathways that bring freedom that the heart so desires. The hope to dream new possibilities, and I know there are infinite possibilities available to us if we willing to take steps to free ourselves from any form of oppression.
We all have this hope and freedom embedded in our human psyche and the beginnings of tasting our freedom start when we are willing to cut the binding chords in our relationships, with partners, family, friends, colleagues.
The freedom to be!
The freedom t be black and beautiful.
The freedom to be trans and walk freely into any building, school, that you choose.
The freedom to be LBTQIA and love the way you want to be loved.
The freedom to wear a hijab, a hoodie, and feel safe.
The freedom to express oneself with the very gifts endowed by the Divine.
The freedom to worship freely.
We experience daily how hatred and love co-exist in ur world. We see rights being taken away at moment’s notice. But we have the ability and strength and desire to uphold the dignities that we know are our human right to be. We are not constrained to stay put because we have the option to open a window and let in the light that will shine on our spirit to bloom like a flower opening fully to its essence with any hindrances.
I will share a favorite quote by Hildegard of Bingen:
We cannot live in a world that is not our own, in a world that is interpreted for us by others. An interpreted world is not a home. Part of the terror is to take back our own listening, to use our own voice, to see our own light.
Thank you so much for your support, for sharing our podcast with friends, for discussing topics in your respective groups. Please send a note if you are interested in working one on one with me, and or join our reflective questions platform.
As we go about our lives today, and in the few days, weeks, months and years ahead, let us firstly take a look at the chords that need to be cut, so we can free ourselves a bit more. We have the right to be; the right to cultivate the freedom our hearts desire, that goes beyond ourselves and extends to all humanity. Overcome the terror to use your own voice, and to see your own light. You have the right to be a woman of power and grace!
Thank you so much and I will see you in a couple of weeks.
Many blessings!
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