What does Freedom mean to us at Mountain Jewel?

@sagescrub invited us to answer this question in #freedomchallenge. The Contest goes til Friday so there is plenty of time for you to answer!

I’m excited to hear other people’s responses as freedom likely means something different to each of us. I encourage you to give voice to your own current rendition of freedom!

We ask ourselves these questions surrounding freedom, they are food for thought,

“How many powers have you given over to others? Can you grow your own food? Can you teach your own children? Can you make your own clothes? Can you walk 5 miles? Can you be comfortable alone? Can you go a day without a cigarette? A cup of coffee? Food? Your car? Clothes? Make-up? Money?”

(From The Medicine Woman Inner Guidebook by Carol Bridges)

At Mountain Jewel we are seeking to embody and encourage freedom in all aspects of life. We believe in the importance of seeking radical transformation of lifestyle (that is different than the mainstream North American culture in which we were raised); to live out, share and be wayfinders of a more abundant Earth experience. Our approach is focused on centering Gaia in all our endeavors and eventually opening up our home as a Center for Earth Connection.

Our path is guided by Permaculture principles and ethics and focused on autonomous, decentralized, sustainable and empowered rural living. This is not the path for everyone, but our intention is simply to offer some solutions to an unjust and unsustainable world where freedom is the exception not the norm. Our intention is to make our life journey much bigger than ourselves and create ripples of freedom in the world.

The pursuit of freedom is not done alone, nor for only ourselves. We cannot be free until all of us are free. It’s akin to the bodhisattva vow- to not stop until all are liberated. Just as we work for the freedom of all of us, freedom is easier achieved together. That is why community is so important to us. Having friends on a freedom seeking approach spurs us on and literally empowers us.

As Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche explains:
"So taking the bodhisattva vow is a real commitment based on the realization of the suffering and confusion of oneself and others. The only way to break the chain reaction of confusion and pain and to work our way outward into the awakened state of mind is to take responsibility ourselves. If we do not deal with this situation of confusion, if we do not do something about it ourselves, nothing will ever happen. We cannot count on others to do it for us. It is our responsibility, and we have the tremendous power to change the course of the world’s karma. So in taking the bodhisattva vow, we are acknowledging that we are not going to be instigators of further chaos and misery in the world, but we are going to be liberators, bodhisattvas, inspired to work on ourselves as well as with other people."

Have you ever been around someone who is very clearly shackled? In their own mind, perhaps weighted down by expectations and ideas of the life they should be living, but very clearly unhappy… Perhaps working a job they dislike always talking about the plans they want to do?

How does it feel to be around this person? Does it propel you toward freedom or give you an inner gratitude for the freedom you do have while hoping this person can also free his or herself?

But, when around someone who is open-minded and seeking and executing their own freedom and flourishing, likewise, doesn’t it enliven and teach you?

That is the goal.

Being free to help free others, and perhaps offering illumination along the path.

As a part of the Whole, we as individuals or communities are like organs or systems of a body. You can’t say a body is healthy and free from disease just because the liver is functioning while the lungs are suffering.

Until freedom is expressed by all, there is more work to be done.

“Now I use my hands to form the structure in which we shall work together…”

Freedom is lifelong work and a continual evolution, there is no static finish line

Freedom is a perspective, attitude and approach that can be achieved through conscious decision making throughout life. We acknowledge differing levels of privilege which can affect freedom, but are hoping to speak to something beyond external circumstances.

Free your mind/purpose

I think a lot of times we get caught up in what we should want to be or do. We must, then, free ourselves of shoulds. Stop should on yourself! Free from the stories we were told from our upbringing of how to be successful or worthy. Reevaluate worth. Let go of the old stories, letting them die off. Allow who you are here on Earth to be to organically unfold and make your life about being that unique individual.

Free your economy/job

Step out of the system and free yourself to live a freer life on the land. Free yourself from debt. Debt is so prevalent in modern society that we hardly acknowledge it as a limit to our freedom. Debt ties us to a certain future, limits our actions and ropes us into the rat race. Revolutionize your concepts of what you truly need, and be open to reevaluating everything! Build your life slowly and where possible avoid the debt trap. Find a way to do what you love and be compensated for it, be it in fiat, cryptos, trades, fruit trees, social capital, simple living or otherwise. You’re a human being and therefore have unlimited creative potential; figure out how to avoid the rat race!

Free your food

Humans have always had the capacity to forage food and/or grow one’s own food. With knowledge and skill, sustenance can be obtained for free, increasing the freedom from the monetary system. In taking part in your food systems, you are freeing yourself from outside control over your survival.

Free your medicine

From early times, humans learned how to use plants as medicine. With the advent of the patriarchal medical complex and suppression of community wise folk, the traditional healers for ages, people look to doctors as guru and healer, and pharmaceutical companies as saviors. Taking back our power to know how to heal ourselves is a huge aspect of finding freedom.

Free your buildings

In our expert, hierarchical economy, there is also the notion that only Builders can build. In freeing our capacity to provide for ourselves, which boosts freedom and personal and communal empowerment, we learn that we can grow our capacity to build using natural materials from the earth. It isn’t only the realm of experts.

Free your energy

Being reliant on a grid that is based on outdated and unsustainable ideas robs you of the freedom to choose where your electricity comes from. It puts you at the mercy of those in power (literally) to maintain and fix it when it goes wrong, as they see fit. Our dependence on grid tied electricity is a major limit to our freedom as it requires us to relinquish control in favor of easy access to energy.

Simple Living

It’s also worth mentioning that being able to live with little is a very potent source of freedom. What ties many to the system is not only the pursuit of success or stuff, it is security. Living lightly on the earth with low consumption and when one does consume, buying second hand or thrift takes less money and therefore gives more freedom. Growing your own food or building with salvaged materials also requires less money needed to survive. The more things one can take over doing for themselves, the less we give power and control to a system that often ensnares us through our needs.

“Reclaim that which empowers you. You now understand how certain beliefs help or hinder you. Take into yourself those ways of thinking that enhance your life and its greatest purpose. Do not be afraid to adopt the ways of the wise.” (from Medicine Woman Inner Guidebook)

Live Free

Spur others on <3

Love,
@mountainjewel

This post is a part of the #ecotrain. Check this tag for more thoughts on freedom and eco conscious living from the other members of the @ecotrain :)