Of hairstyles, and pronouns

We live in an era in which it seems that our freedom is at its maximum, and yet it isn’t, it isn’t at all.

Looking around, and on social media, and especially in the US and in some European Countries, freedom of expression of each one’s character and personality, religion, beliefs, sex, gender and sexual orientation, seem to be reaching points never reached in history, and yet they seem to me like surrogates, the only outlets left to cope with the lack of real freedom.

I don’t believe that anyone’s freedom starts where others’ freedom ends, I believe we can live in a world free from trauma, free from ego, where humans will be more compassionate towards each other without having to be forced to do so, and probably we need to start by limiting the freedom of the most exploitative, or least compassionate, and egotistical, of us. However, it feels to me that today, in order to give everyone freedom of expression, we have begun censoring others strongly limiting their own personal expression, in ways that seem to prevent, or may have been intended to prevent, anyone from being deprived of their freedom, but often translate in a communication that everything is but authentic and free.

Talking to people, even very compassionate individuals, today feels as if they walk on eggshells at all times. That’s the lowest level of freedom. And so, I wonder: are the ones affected by those limitations the same people whose freedom we were trying to protect by creating those limitations and rules in the first place? Are the ones who care, cared, and always will care, being limited in their freedom of speech and expression to avoid hurting others they would have not hurt to begin with? Weren’t those the ones whose freedom was already threatened, and is progressively being decreased instead.

I come from a place where, at least when I was there, people who would not conform with the norm, or who would be more sensitive than others, could not freely express who they were for fear of being attacked and bullied, and, yet, via authentic communication they would ultimately be able to win over others’ xenophobia - the kind of fear where hate for others, perceived as different than oneself, comes from.

Today we’re free to color our hair, tattoo our bodies, wear what we like, cover, or uncover, our bodies, as much as we like, and yet it feels to me like expressing ourselves by doing those things is a scream for freedom coming from our soul, that, finding no outlet in expressing what we truly think about the world we live in, finding no solutions and no justice about the often horrific situations we are put through by our society, expresses itself by showing off its freedom of expression in the last places we truly have full control over: our hairstyle, our skin, our outfits.

Physical appearance is a great start, and, as xenophobia arises from lack of exposure to diversity, it should propel us towards a better future, where we won’t need to censor ourselves because the fear of others won’t be an issue any longer, where the idea of oppressing others won’t even come to mind, and where seeing others happy will reward us to the point of deeply wishing to see and feel them being so.

But, nonetheless, and in the meantime, I believe we need more.

I believe allowing the population freedom of expression on those superficial things, despite important, is still a surrogate of freedom, helpful to show off how free people are when pictured on the international news, but, to quote the wisdom of another woman: “it’s the soul that needs a surgery” (Beyonce).

It is in the expression of our soul, of our thoughts, of our political views, of our opinions, of our beliefs, of our desires, and in our capability of finding happiness, justice, and support in our society, that lays real freedom, and it is by exercising those specific rights to freedom of expression that we can truly, and quickly, change the world.

However - a reassuring thought before the end - the Universe is awakening to itself - it always has been - and us with it, and, so, no matter how much and in what fashion our incredible creative and loving spirits are oppressed, ultimately, to paraphrase a very wise man: “There’s only one journey, the journey to awakening… and it’s inevitable” (Baba Ram Dass).

If you feel like you would like guidance in your journey, or support dealing with the oppressive conditions we live in, feel free to contact me.

If you want to discover why the Universe is awakening and how you can contribute to the process, I highly suggest you to read my book: The Fractal Universe & the theory of everything.