I would like to discuss with you the problem of freedom.  It is a very complex problem, needing deep study and understanding.  We hear much talk about freedom, religious freedom, and the freedom to do what one would like to do.  volumes have been written on all this by scholars.  But I think we can approach it very simply and directly, and perhaps that will bring us to real solution. 

              I wonder if you have ever stopped to observe the marvelous glow in the west as the sun sets, with the shy young moon just over the trees?  Often at that hour the river is very calm, and then everything is reflected on its surface: the bridge, the train that goes over it, the tender moon and presently, as it grows dark, the stars. 

               It is all very beautiful.  And to observe, to watch, to give your whole attention to something beautiful, your mind must be free of preoccupations, must it not?  It must not be occupied with problems, with worries, with speculations.  It is only when the mind is very quiet that you can really observe, for then the mind is sensitive to extraordinary beauty;  and perhaps here is clue to our problem of freedom.

             Now, what does it mean to be free?  Is freedom as matter of doing what happens to suit you, going where you like, thinking what you will?  This you do anyhow.  Merely to have independence, does that mean freedom?  Many people in the world are independent, but very few are free.  

           Freedom implies great intelligence, does it not?  To be free is to be intelligent, but intelligence does not come into being by just wishing to be free;  it comes into begin only when you begin to understand your whole environment, the social, religious, parental and 'traditional influences that are continually closing in on you.  

             But to understand the various influences the influence of your parent, of your government, or society, of the culture to which you belong, of your beliefs, your gods superstitions, of the tradition to to pune which you conform unthinkingly understand all these and become free from them requires deep insight;  generally give in to them because inwardly you are frighten. 

            You are afraid of not having a good position in life;  you are afraid of what your priest will say;  you are afraid of not following tradition, of not doing the right thing.  But freedom is really a state of mind in which there is no fear or but you compulsion, no urge to be secured.  Don't most of us want to be safe?  Don't we want to be told what marvelous people we are, how lovely we look, or what extraordinary intelligence we have? 

           Otherwise we would not put letters after our names.  All that kind of thing gives us self-assurance, a sense of importance.  We all want to be famous people and the moment we want to be something, we are no longer free.