A person who lives in freedom, satisfied with knowledge and wisdom, is ever tranquil. To him a lump of earth, a stone, and gold are the same.  He views all the three with the same equanimity. It is not that he does not understand the differences between them, but he does not give undue weight to any of them.

In the scheme of life money has a definite place. Someone who believes that money is everything does not know the truth. Conversely, declaring that money is nothing is also incorrect because, in this world, money is required to live. We should be aware of the purpose, significance and place of money and not give it excessive or undue importance.

For instance, if we buy a relatively inexpensive cap and a pair of very costly shoes: even though the shoes are more expensive than the cap, can we place them on the head just because we have spent more on them?

People live in bondage because they do not know how to live with material things. We often evaluate individuals by what they have and not by what they are. How often do we witness families break up for the sake of money?

One day a young man came and asked me to give him a message to follow in life. I said, “Remember: values are more important than valuables.” When we give more weight to the latter then we dig our own graves. We give up values for valuables – the valuables perish, and eventually one ends up with neither.

Unfortunately, man feels that he is unable to live without certain objects; he feels that valuables add to his prestige and stature in society. He would otherwise be labeled a useless person. This is a wrong way of thinking. We superimpose too much importance and value on material things and end up becoming slaves to them. Do not neglect material objects but do not get obsessed with them either.

Know their correct value and importance. Place them accordingly and use them. But if you lose them, do not worry. Then you are free.

By: Swami Tejomayananda – Speaking Tree website on 31st Jan, 2015

In the Bhagavad-gita, Sri Krishna describes how the three types of persons, with three different visions live in the world. A person with a sattvika vision lives in bliss and freedom because he/she perceives the oneness of things and beings and therefore, the heart is filled with love for all.

The rajasika person is constantly struggling as he/she sees differences, which create divisions, likes and dislikes in the mind. The tamasika person lives in bondage, taking the part for the whole and getting fanatically attached to one little thing.

At each moment, man has limited freedom to follow either the Path of Good or the Path of Pleasant. Certainly, man has not got a complete and unlimited freedom over the external circumstances; but he has been given this limited freedom to be good or be vicious in his moment to moment contact with the external world.

This limited liberty is the real character of freedom for man, by a wise use of which he can soar into the greater realms of perfection and become himself the God.

From the Infinite there is no finite; from the True there is no untruth detected; in Light there is no darkness; in Perfection there can be no imperfection. Freedom is where there is no bondage, limitation, want, or desire. Spiritual Freedom is our Birthright. We have it – but we know it not!!

By: Swami Chinmayananda

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