We Need to Question our Understanding of Freedom

And we need to take the help of Mustangs

May 21

This is an empowering story about two very different Mustangs...

The first Mustang…

Is the wild, untamed stallion that runs free on Nevada hills in Western United States. This Mustang is characterised through time immemorial, through beliefs, stories, and experiences to represent a masterless existence.

The second Mustang…

Is the Kingdom of Mustang, a territory hidden in the Himalayas from the masterful modern world. Therefore, it too manages to carve out a free existence for itself, where it easily exists and preserves the unspoilt ways of old till today.

What’s empowering about these very different Mustangs is what this story is all about.

**Empowerment begins when we can take flight, metaphorically speaking**

A crisis to end all crisis

We are often faced with a situation when no one understands us, or when no one wants to understand us. This difficulty comes in varying intensities. It can be as simple as a teenager feeling not understood at home by her parents and siblings, or as complicated as a worker not being able to earn a livelihood for her family, because the value she can give to society through her work is not understood.

Leading hastily to desire...

At times like this, we crave for only one thing: FREEDOM!

But ironically, freedom is not the answer.

Without understanding how we’re going to use the liberty, we tie a noose around our necks. Like lottery winners who get the money, but not the life.

The only way out

What’s the solution then? To know what to do with freedom is more important than freedom itself.

We must cross the threshold to a better understanding. In other words, we must know the kind of freedom that we need, and not just superficially want.

A key to unraveling this is knowing that we need to pursue…

Primal freedoms

An embarrassment will prompt us to want revenge. This will be our conscious desire which if we pursue will not bring satisfaction, and due to its negative nature and will lead to destruction in one way or another.

What we need is inner peace from the disturbance. The moment we work out this change, not revenge but peace, we can rewire our modus operandi and become free.

Just like in the movie Hidalgo (2004), where a Mustang and his rider satisfy their conscious desires by winning a most punishing race. And they understand that they really need to satisfy their true desires. So Viggo Mortensen’s character goes for inner peace; he uses his winnings to buy Mustangs and set them free. He also sets Hidalgo, his Mustang, free so it can run with the other freed Mustangs, and gallop unrestrained across hills and valleys.

Riding a horse is a symbol of strength as well freedom. Hyde Park Barracks is the home of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. These horses are also known as The Queen’s Horses, seen here parading through Central London.

So it’s riding on a Mustang and feeling the primal energy surge through our being, which is true freedom. As is trekking or walking the unspoiled in the kingdom of Mustang.

It’s real emancipation coming from the right choices. And true happiness.

Useless Cogitations