Self-liberation is the practice of freeing ourselves from limiting beliefs, past traumas, the expectations of society, detaching from labels or social scripts that we have put upon ourselves, and taking ownership of our lives. Keyword: OWNERSHIP. Self-liberation does not mean being an outlaw and expecting others to bend to our expectations, beliefs, behaviors, or POV.
Self-liberation often requires a great deal of self-reflection, introspection, and the courage to break free from limiting beliefs and traumas handed down or inflicted on us by others and society. It is not merely about rebelling against expectations or shunning social scripts; it is about taking ownership of our lives—accepting responsibility for our choices and being empowered to make decisions that align with our truth.
When we self-liberate, we take the time to discover more about who we are and what makes us unique—our passions, talents, values, and beliefs. As a result, we become agents of positive change and work towards creating a future that is better than the past.
Self-liberation is ultimately about living life on our terms, rather than someone else’s, while ALSO respecting and doing no harm to others. It is an ongoing practice of self-awareness and growth that helps us unlock our true potential and live a more authentic, fulfilling life. This liberation can bring a sense of freedom and joy that cannot be found elsewhere.
Steps to self-liberation:
The journey to self-liberation looks different for everyone. However, the key ingredients are compassion, curiosity, and understanding. Without each of these three elements, you will never reach total liberation.
Compassion is essential for self-growth and change. It allows us to move away from judgment and criticism, helping us accept our flaws and mistakes without shame. With this understanding comes the curiosity to explore ourselves, our beliefs, and the world around us with open eyes. We can recognize that life is full of complexities and nuances and that our beliefs, values, and interpretations of the world will continue to shift and evolve as we gain new knowledge. Compassion also helps us to release ourselves from attachment to fixed ideas about the world so that we can remain curious and open-minded.
When we cultivate compassion and curiosity, we open ourselves up to a deeper understanding of the complexities of life. Instead of clinging to labels like good and bad, which are often steeped in subjectivity and personal bias, we can focus on our motivations and intentions and the meaningful emotions that guide us. This helps us to move past rigid frameworks for living and to embrace the diverse range of experiences in life.
Here are a few practical strategies to help you on your journey to self-liberation:
Take time to reflect: Spend some time alone reflecting on how your life experiences, beliefs and values have contributed to how you see the world. This will help you identify where you may be limiting yourself by adhering to outdated or narrow-minded ideals and allow you to explore a more expansive worldview.
Seek out diverse perspectives: Make an effort to read books, watch films and listen to podcasts that provide insight into different ways of looking at the world. Taking in new information can be challenging, so ensure you have a safe space to work through your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Engage with people from different backgrounds: Participate in activities and events that bring together people from different backgrounds and experiences. Don’t be afraid to ask questions—genuine curiosity can help bridge divides.
Step outside your comfort zone: Take a chance and try something new! That could mean traveling to a place you’ve never been, taking on an unfamiliar challenge, or just trying to connect with someone you might usually pass by.
Consider different points of view: Ask yourself if your opinions and reactions are solely based on your own experience—or if they may be impacted by outdated beliefs or prejudices. Knowing this can help you think more critically about what you’re reading, hearing, and seeing.
Be open to change: Your worldview won’t stay the same forever—it will continue to evolve and grow as you encounter new ideas and experiences. Allow yourself to be flexible and embrace change.
Practice gratitude: Appreciating the diverse perspectives of others is a great start, but taking time to be grateful for what you have learned from them will further enrich your worldview.
Share your perspective: Once you’ve cultivated an open and expansive outlook on life, don’t forget to share it with the world. Be a source of positive change in your community, and help create an inclusive and tolerant environment for all.
It is essential to remember that self-liberation is not a one-time event. It requires effort and dedication—a lifelong process of self-discovery and growth. There will be challenges along the way, but the rewards are worth it:
You lose your desire to be right and the anger, frustration, and anxiety that comes with wanting to be right.
You’re unaffected by the opinions of others.
You have greater clarity about the meaning and purpose of life and your role in it.
You’ll have a stronger connection with your true self (the essence of our being).