To Be Free is To Be

namastecharly in Sri Lanka

What is freedom? How can we know if we are truly free? How do we establish our own sense of freedom?

I’ve been traveling for nearly two months now, and this journey has led me to reflect deeply on the concept of freedom. I’ve always longed to be free: in my movements, my choices, my lifestyle, my comfort, and even in my identity.

From a very young age, our identity is tied to our parents or caretakers, to what we possess, or to the activities we do. As we grow, our identity begins to take shape through our personality traits, which guide us toward professional paths we come to identify with, followed by hobbies, and eventually - for some - the role of parent.

From early on, I questioned my environment, social norms, and boundaries. I was curious about the world around me, I wanted to understand it. During my teenage years, I fell into a deep depression. For several years, both I and those around me identified me with that illness. My thoughts and actions always seemed to circle back to that state, and sometimes, I wanted to escape.

Yet, even through those dark years, I held onto a desire to know who I truly am, to build my own identity. With time and perspective, I’ve come to understand that part of me became unwell in order to escape a reality in which I couldn’t grow. I needed to step away from a life I hadn’t chosen so I could learn to understand myself and find my path.

Since childhood, one question has haunted me: Who am I ? What is my role on this planet? What can I offer, in my own small way? Asking questions like these, questions about identity is a way of nurturing curiosity. It brings us closer to our authenticity, through our actions, our choices, and our values. I’ve learned to prioritize my values so that they resonate with my own truth.

And you, what is your truth?

There are many forms of truth:

• Objective truth, based on measurable facts.

• Subjective truth, rooted in what each of us feels within, even if it escapes the understanding of others.

• And then there is existential truth, neither rational nor tangible. It’s the truth that echoes through the question "Who am I?" It’s raw, vibrant, and unique. That’s the truth I want to speak about here.

This truth: this energy that lives within us, extends beyond the self. It touches something collective. It links us to the rest of the world.

So I invite you to ask yourself, who are you without your name, your origins, your job, your hobbies? Who are you alone, surrounded, in the present moment? Can you describe yourself without justifying who you are through what you do?

By reconnecting with our inner reality, we begin a journey of self-inquiry, a search for our essence, that fundamental energy that stands in contrast to ego. As we strip away our superficial layers, remove social masks, and heal old wounds, we begin to align with a state of flow that reflects both our individual and collective truth.

So let me ask you again, do you truly have the freedom to choose who you want to be? What is your essence?

To me, freedom is not about doing whatever we want, whenever we want, without caring about the consequences. It is not about escaping the world through endless distractions or turning a blind eye to the crises we face. Nor is it about putting on rose-colored glasses or clinging to toxic positivity.

Freedom, to me, is becoming conscious of our abilities, our values, our strengths, and our flaws. It’s about choosing to bring value into the world. It’s choosing to live in a state of flow, of love, and of alignment. To be free, we must first reconnect with ourselves, discover our essence, and let it grow beyond the limits of our ego.

I genuinely believe that our individual essence has the power to impact the world as a whole. It is through personal exploration that we connect with others and that a sense of universal unity can emerge.

But how do we find that essence?

I believe it starts with nurturing curiosity, embracing what we don’t yet understand, opening ourselves to others, to new experiences, facing our wounds, and staying on a constant path of self-discovery. It’s about experiencing life, connecting with others, and seeing every moment as an opportunity to learn.

Everything you go through can bring you closer to your essence, if you allow it. Observe it. Accept it. Without judgment. Whatever you experience is meant to be experienced. It holds the potential to bring you closer to your mission, your deeper purpose.

In our human lives, our subjective truth is anchored in an objective reality, so we can coexist in a structured society. Learning to play with these codes while deepening our inner essence is essential. It’s not about rejecting reality, but about building a bridge between the tangible world and our inner truth so we can grow in multidimensional ways.

In my recent interview Yoga for Men, I share how the practice of yoga can help us reconnect to our true identity, align with our inner feelings, and find our essence.

Honoré de Balzac once said: “Freedom of thought is the foundation of all other freedoms.”

So I invite you to ride the waves of life with curiosity, and to leave your imprint on this blue planet. Your authenticity is beautiful. Discover it.