Freedom to Begin

By Dr Thynn Thynn

In the BUDDHIST SENSE, ‘Free’ means to be free from all suffering, and  to reach inner freedom where suffering ceases  to be. This is, of course, an deal state of mind – but  how do we reach it ? To reach inner freedom we must search for  freedom with a ‘Free mind. It is like the saying, to catch a thief one must think like a thief.’ The sort of freedom one is trying to find is an absolute state – nothing less – infinite, unbounded and limitless. We are starting out with a mind  that is finite, intellect-bound  and already limited  in itself. If we crowd this with all sorts of ideals, concepts, doctrines and judgements, the mind – which is already  weighed down by its own burden can never  be free enough to experience  Truth in its  entirety. It can only accept the truth or experience within the limits of doctrines, beliefs and concepts, which are products of intellect. The mind can never break out of the intellectual conditioning we are trying to transcend. By clinging to a specific system or format in the search for inner freedom, we will able to experience only that which the system or format  allows . But Truth is infinite, unpossessed and unbounded. It does not belong to any religion, sect of system. All religions, all methods, all systems  improvished by mankind are attempts  to guide us  on the path to Truth. Often, though, the ‘Way’ is mistaken for the ‘Truth’.

The mind in search of its own freedom must first of all assume an impersonal attitude, which leaves it free to explore, investigate, examine and, most important of all,  to ‘experience’. Most of us start with a personal need to find an inner freedom. In this state, it is rather difficult to assume an impersonal approach, but such is the paradox of the inner path. As soon as we become personal, we tend to be judgmental and opinionated. Judgments and discriminations  arise out of an intellectual and conditioned mind. As soon as one makes  a judgment and discriminates, the intellect is at work. So long as the intellect is at the forefront of one’s mind, it will always  obstruct one’s ability to  experience fully  one’s own inner depth and essence. This is the reason that all the ways  and means to liberation – the inner paths – transcend the intellect  and move into the realm of intuitive  or the spiritual, for only the intuitive aspect of our mind  can experience and realize Truth or Freedom  in its entirety. Different religious systems have developed  methods  and styles  particular to their own historical, cultural and emotional backgrounds. Each of us is left to find the right path for ourselves.

Whichever path one may adopt, the greatest danger is the accumulation of emotional  possessions. These are ‘my guru’, ‘my beliefs’, ‘my progress, ‘my’ experience. Here  again, one faces a paradox. A teacher’s guidance is invariably necessary  for one to proceed properly on the path, but it presents a hindrance  if one  is not careful. The most common problem is personally clinging to gurus and teachers. In fact, this is one of the most difficult hindrances  to overcome in all  quests  of inner freedom. Letting go  of beliefs, doctrines, gurus, ideals, and judgments is extremely  difficult, because  one  holds them very dear to oneself.  They become one’s  possessions,  like material wealth and  power, and then one  is not free and does not proceed further.

So what should one do ? The only appropriate  way is to view  everything with equanimity, be it gurus, doctrines, ideals, and even one’s own practice and progress. Only then can one  view everything  with objectivity.

Freedom is not just an end result. It is not something that awaits us at the end  of our  endeavour. Freedom is instantaneous, right now, from the very beginning. We can be ‘free’ in the very process of the search, in experiencing  in every step along the way.

To achieve freedom requires two things :
A silent mind and an open heart.

Editor’s note :

Dr.Thynn Thynn is a retired Burmese-born physician turned Dhamma teacher. She is the founder and resident teacher of Sae Taw Win II Dhamma Centre in Graton, California, United States . She  currently lives as a permanent yogi and chief instructor at the centre. She is currently rendering her Dhamma service  not only in United States  but also in Canada. Before migrating to United States, she had furnished her Dhamma service in Bangkok for a number of years there.

Dr. Thynn’s meditation guide  book ‘Living Meditation : Living Insight’  expounds the  path of Mindfulness and clear awareness which can be fruitfully practiced by any householder engaged busily in modern, stressful secular or mundane life to gain inner freedom. The ‘Stillness or Silence of Mind ’ gained from  meditation helps one reduce or even eliminate (depending on the level of achievement of an individual) the stresses and strains of busy modern lifestyle to preserve  good mental health supported by serenity  and wisdom. This ‘Stillness or Silence of the Mind’  or the Nirvāṇic Mind develops a high or even perfect score of EQ.  EQ is the capacity of an individual to manage one’s  emotions wisely and  to be more exact, one’s five aggregates in order  to deal effectively and equanimously with others in any social intercourse. Meditation emphasizes the right-brain thinking ultilized by the wise. The ordinary worldlings utilize only the left-brain functioning. Dharma rectifies the imbalance and emphasizes the utility of both brains. Dhamma education is perfect education as Gotama Buddha is perfect himself. I concur with Dr. Thynn Thynn’s vision  that success is a journey but not the destination as she asserts that we can be ‘free’ in the very process of the search, in experiencing, in every step along the way. The is right mindfulness supported by the  wisdom of equanimity.  

Those, interested in knowing more about the practical Mindfulness dimension of Buddha dhamma and to seek the inner freedom of the ‘Silence of the Mind’, may contact Dr Thynn Thynn through her e-mail or web site provided below :

                           E-mail : stw2@sonic.net