In some of my recent experiences with several loved ones, I began to observe that we tend to constraint ourselves with conditions by imposing them (the conditions) on our loved ones. Being willful of constant conscious intention to break free from bondage, it can be quite an interesting encounter to witness others including myself in it.
An appropriate example would be a parent who has specific ideas of how his or her child should live his or her own life. Never mind the saying that parents only want the best for their child, but what is the best for a child, or more specifically for anybody as a matter of fact? I came across a storyline where a son wishes to leave his family business to pursue his own interests to end up with a threat that if he was to leave the business, he is cast out from the family. Yes, an undeniable extreme case and yet this occurs in many families. And his son is stuck, having to choose between his right hand and his left hand, to which he would retain and save, or would he have to give up. It can be a very devastating experience for one who is faced with such situation where if he was to honor himself, he has to be faced with the consequences of being cut off from his source of support and love, i.e. family in this case. And to experience being in such corollary, is to only further prove that he is not loved at all by his family.
In a recent entry of mine, Ideas on top of Ideas, I saw how much relevance ideas have to do with such a situation – ideas held on so tightly by each individual. In fact, ideas have everything to do with everything! A wavering soul, ungrounded and unsure of his own essence is so easily swayed to dishonor himself and yet another wavering soul, also ungrounded and unsure of his own essence, hides behind a strong façade so to have the other bow down to his ideas which serves no one – not even to the one whose idea is being held strongly of. And the patterns rerun themselves again and again through generations and generations, unconsciously. As much as one who consciously tries not to follow the footsteps of his forefathers, as long as there is no insight to the running patterns, it can be 100% predicted that the pattern will run in him once again, forwarding the burden only to his next generation.
How horrifying to live such a life! And yet, what is there but only my own idea of freedom and integrity. Yet these ideas of freedom, integrity and honoring thyself are those of what would and can set a person free. I for one will be able to recall the memories of such fears having to walk through a lane of burning fire with broken glasses; still with much courage can one be blessed with its own rightfulness and entitlement to live one’s life with much liberty, love and inspiration.
Blessed are those who daringly walk on the spikes, hurt and healed, and blessed are those who finally see though the meaninglessness of such binding ideas which limit their well being.
All it takes is the audacity to pace through the fire, and in the midst where the heat may burn, will what is left – the essence yet which is unbreakable by truth.