Freedom: Between Philosophy, Spirituality, and Inner Truth

Freedom – a word that evokes a sense of expansiveness, self-determination, and detachment in many people's minds. But what does it really mean to be free? Is it merely the absence of external constraints, or does true freedom lie deeper – in the way we think, feel, and perceive ourselves?

Freedom—a word that evokes in many minds a sense of vastness, self-determination, and detachment. But what does it truly mean to be free? Is it merely the absence of external constraints, or does real freedom lie deeper—in how we think, feel, and recognize ourselves?

Freedom in Philosophy

The great minds of philosophy have long grappled with the nature of freedom—each from their own perspective.

Immanuel Kant links freedom with autonomy: a person is free when they act from reason, not inclination. For him, freedom is not arbitrariness, but the ability to give oneself a moral law—a true act of self-determination.

Jean-Paul Sartre, on the other hand, views freedom as a radical condition: “Man is condemned to be free.” This means we are free to define ourselves—but this freedom is also a burden, because it entails responsibility. There are no excuses, no fixed essences—we are what we do.

Hannah Arendt emphasizes the political dimension of freedom: it arises in the space of action, in dialogue with others. Freedom is not merely individual, but intersubjective—it unfolds in the world when people create together.

Spiritual Perspectives: The Freedom of Being

Beyond philosophy, spirituality offers a more subtle view of freedom—not as something to be achieved, but as something to be remembered. In many mystical traditions—whether Advaita Vedanta, Buddhism, or Christian mysticism—the human being is already free at their deepest core. The only prison lies in the mind, in illusions, thought patterns, and identifications.

This is where freedom from conditioning comes into play—a central idea. We grow up in systems that tell us what is “right,” what is “successful,” what is “lovable.” These socializations shape our self-image, our fears, and our desires. But true freedom begins where we see through these imprints—where we stop reacting and start choosing consciously.

As Krishnamurti aptly puts it: “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” Breaking free from this adjustment is an act of freedom—not of rebellion, but of clarity.

The Feeling of Freedom: An Inner Compass

Freedom doesn’t feel like control—it feels like lightness. It’s the sense of being able to breathe—deeply, effortlessly. It’s the inner peace of not needing to wear a mask. Many describe freedom as the feeling of being “fully oneself,” unaffected by opinions, expectations, or judgments.

This freedom from expectations—especially those of others—is essential. As long as our self-worth depends on how we are perceived, we are not free but bound—to roles, façades, and the need for approval.

Truly free is the one who stays with themselves without withdrawing from the world. Who stands “above things” without feeling above others. This is not arrogance but a state of inner independence, where the ego grows quiet.

Concrete Examples

• An artist who stops painting for applause and begins to create from their deepest essence—experiences freedom.

• A woman who breaks away from her family’s expectations to follow her own path, even if it’s unconventional—lives freedom.

• A monk who owns nothing but is inwardly completely fulfilled—embodies freedom beyond external circumstances.

Conclusion: Freedom Is Not a Goal—It’s a Memory

The surprising truth is: we are not on the path toward freedom—we are already free. But we have forgotten, covered by opinions, roles, and fears. Freedom is less something to be achieved than something to be uncovered.

Not through struggle, but through awareness. Not through separation, but through inner clarity. Not through external power, but through the strength to be yourself—with all that this entails.

Freedom is not the ability to do everything. Freedom is the need to do nothing that goes against your truth.

And perhaps the greatest freedom is this:To love yourself so deeply that you no longer need to prove who you are to anyone.