The journey of human life is all about becoming free. We are all born highly dependent, with no ability to sustain ourselves. From there, we aim for the ultimate goal of life: inner peace, joy, and liberation. For this to happen, we aspire to become independent in five areas: physical, financial, emotional, mental, and spiritual. This post will discuss the steps you need to achieve a holistic sense of freedom that transforms your life.

Step 1: Cultivating Physical Self-Sufficiency

Your path to freedom starts with physical self-sufficiency. Good health is the foundation for living independently and achieving your goals. Therefore, it is critical to prioritize physical well-being.

You will notice that your quality of life improves with physical fitness. When your body is healthy, you have the energy to pursue a hobby, take a new job, or simply live a fuller life.

If you have a weak constitution, take the time to learn how to care for your body. This could include eating a well-balanced diet, starting an exercise routine, or looking into alternative therapies. Even if your health is not perfect, you have many resources today to help improve your physical condition, including online fitness programs and nutritional advice (some free on YouTube).

Step 2: Achieving Financial Self-Sufficiency

The next step is achieving financial independence, which is crucial for doing anything worthwhile. If you can’t put food on the table and meet your basic needs, you must rely on others for financial support. Then, you will only feel burdened by their expectations and restrictions in this situation.

Financial independence brings you closer to making decisions that are consistent with your values rather than being affected by outside factors.

Begin by building skills to bring in some income. In this digital age, there are many ways to earn money, even for those with limited mobility or chronic conditions. Explore freelance work, online teaching, or consulting jobs that match your abilities and interests. Taking control of your financial future will empower you to make decisions that reflect your preferences.

Step 3: Letting Go of the Need to Please

Once you’ve achieved some degree of physical and financial independence, the next stage is to let go of the urge to please people. This is a vital aspect of attaining true freedom. When you rely on others for emotional support, acceptance, or validation, you will pursue their expectations instead of following your heart and mind.

Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness. However, it is important to understand that kindness can coexist with personal boundaries. You don’t have to bend backward or become a doormat to accommodate everyone. If your decisions upset others, that is not your fault or problem. You are on the right path as long as you remain kind while being true to yourself.

Watching your karma — where you balance compassion for others without sacrificing your own needs — is essential for achieving a harmonious life.

Step 4: Detaching from the Self

Achieving freedom from external attachments leads to the next stage of non-attachment: freedom from oneself. Even if you are self-sufficient, your own mind can hold you back. The primary cause is your innate desires about body image, identity, and experiences.

Desires can take various forms — wishing to feel a certain way, seeking love and recognition, or craving awe-inspiring experiences. These keep you stuck in the cycle of wanting and needing, preventing spiritual growth. To assist you out of this, mantras and Sadhana (spiritual discipline) can be beneficial. These promote mindfulness and gradually help you handle your stubborn mind, resulting in greater insight and clarity.

As you build awareness through mind management techniques, you will find that you can spot and uproot your desires as soon as they arise. This ability eventually leads to inner peace and spiritual liberation.

Step 5: Liberating Yourself

The final goal of life is to attain spiritual liberation — freedom from the cycle of rebirth, known in many traditions as Nirvana or Samadhi. This state of mind and existence is marked by the absence of desires and the realization that true peace and joy come from within.

To achieve this state, you must face and handle your desires head-on. This is a core concept in Sanatana Dharma-based spirituality: understanding that your desires tie you to the cycle of life and death.

Hence, the spiritual path to liberation requires a deep awareness of our minds, thoughts, and emotions. It requires realizing that true contentment is beyond material possessions and worldly validations. Whether we attain this state with or without the presence of the divine is a personal choice.

Conclusion: The Pursuit of Freedom

The purpose of life can be summarized into one word: freedom. Take a moment to reflect on your life — What desires make you dependent? What attachments are holding you back? What is your plan to remove these?

Strive to cut the cords that bind you, not in a way that ignores relationships or community, but in a manner that empowers you to be self-sufficient.

While you can’t entirely abandon society because you will still need essential services, the aim is to develop a sense of independence — physically, financially, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Doing so helps you live with purpose and accept your true self. It makes your life feel as calm as sailing on clear waters, eventually leading to spiritual liberation.

Adopt the journey of becoming free. It is more than just an end goal; it is a transformational process that strengthens your connection to nature and enriches your life. As you pursue freedom in all its forms, you will find that each step takes you closer to the divinity that hides in you.

Love,
Sri Devi Om