What is the true meaning of independence?

Animals never celebrate Independence Day, because they are never dependent. But there is no day in the entire human life where we can say ‘I am living an independent life’. We are dependent on Oxygen, water, food. So, for human beings, what do we mean by ‘Independence’? This word is beyond religion because whatever religion one may follow, if you belong to a nation Independence-Day is a celebration for all. 

We celebrate Independence-Day but on whom are we dependent? The only answer is; however much we work towards global peace and oneness in humanity, every human being will live with an identity till the last moment; to a nation or to a religion. We may superficially state that we are all same, but this will only be a ‘saying’ until we realize what real independence is. 

On the very first note we should feel gratitude towards the Divine for having our presence in a nation like India, where we truly have independence, to speak what we want and to live life in the way we decide, which isn’t a possibility in many countries. The fear of being controlled by others is the basic fear for human beings. We feel emotionally depressed when someone controls us, before that we try to have the power to control the other. 

The unexplained fear for human survival is not about the future, not of ‘not getting what you want’ but ‘the fear of losing what you already have’. So we fix boundaries for ourselves which are not decided by nature but decided by a human for his own survival. Within these boundaries we have a set of rules that need to be followed by whoever steps within that boundary. Like in America you need to follow their traffic rules. Similarly, when an American comes to India, he needs to follow our rules. It’s a simple understanding, that has been there and will be there forever. A set of rules and regulations are formed by a nation for its own protection and survival. But this alone is not independence. 

Real Independence is understanding ‘One can live a life of his own choice only when he is economically and emotionally independent’. Or one can ‘Experience the freedom of his existence only when he is not emotionally or economically dependent on someone’. This is possible only when you realize that your knowledge, experience, people etc. can never help you. Only two things are going to decide that you will have an independent life: First is Health. And the untold naked truth is, even if have health, you are still dependent on oxygen but not dependent on human beings. Now you need to understand the huge difference between necessity and dependence.

Anything that is necessary or is a fundamental requirement for existence is already given by nature, without discrimination, without partiality, without preference. You don’t need to go in search of it, it will come and reach you. You are designed in a way that you don’t search Oxygen for your survival, it happens to you when you are healthy. However, when it comes to emotions, you are dependent on the behaviour of the people who are related to you. This is the same for people who are related with you. They are dependent on your behavior. 

Every human being once delivered to this planet earth does not immediately focus on economic planning and future vision. They are emotionally dependent on their loved ones or people they are surrounded by. Once they grow to a level they understand that the food, home, comfort, etc. that they enjoy, everything has a financial value. Or there is a price at which this can be got. Then they plan a future. 99% of future planning is financial planning. A person wants to be a doctor because he wants to make a good living out of his genuine earning. People want to give a better life to their children and in spite of knowledge think they can actually give a better life when they have financial freedom. The point to be understood is finance does not decide your experience. Your karma does. 

One could be blessed with a very wealthy family, but without good health, wealth cannot promise you a good experience. Or if someone meets with an accident, their wealth cannot promise them a life free of pain. What decides your experience on this earth is your Karma. Understanding this knowledge is the first step towards real freedom, real independence, both emotionally and economically. In simple words independence is a possibility only to the people who realize that the life they live, the life they lived and the life they will live is decided only by their Karma.

The only master who can take control over the Karma is You. Independence is explained in the Vedas and other holy scriptures in a very simple way. No matter how many masters may have come to this world, but the only master who can be the master of your life is You. Failing to understand that you are the only master who can be master of your life, you will land up in disaster. But realizing this simple truth, you will experience true independence forever.