Introduction to Buddhist Attitudes on Freedom and Authority

In the language of Buddhism, ultimate freedom is about not being attached to anything, yourself, your views, the body, the mind – nothing. This can bring a feeling that Buddhists get rid of everything. Or Buddhists can get attached ‘to not being attached’; that is, they go around saying: ‘Oh, I'm not attached to anything!’ Attachment is better explained as knowing: a very deep understanding of the way things are. You understand that, if you hold on to something, it will create suffering – try it out. The next time you eat something pleasant, try to keep the feeling; or, when you next dislike something, try to push it away as quickly as possible – both will lead to suffering. Another misconception is that Buddhists suffer. Buddhists use suffering; they do not create it. The Buddha suggested using suffering because most people suffer and understanding this leads to peace.

Remember being three or maybe five years old, running through the sprinklers on a hot summer day, naked and free. Can you do that today? Where did that freedom go, not necessarily the freedom to do whatever you want, but the freedom to enter the next moment without a trace of embarrassment, shame or guilt? What is embarrassment? What purpose does it serve? Who benefits from embarrassment and guilt, the controller or the controlled? Is shame and embarrassment empowering or crippling? If crippling, and I believe it is, why would we do this to each other and especially to our children, and so often, with such vengeance? Shame on you! Can we guide children into adulthood so they blossom intofully embodied, present, sensual, responsible and passionate men and women without crippling them along the way? That is our quest.

The full version of the above extract can be found here
Read the full version of Michael Mendizza's 'Shame on You' here
The previous link is to a page on This site which has much more to offer on the topic of freedom and authority; aimed primarily at parents and others in responsible positions.

We can’t control what arises in the mind, but we can reflect on what we are feeling and learn from it rather than simply being caught helplessly in our impulses and habits. Even though there is a lot in life that we can’t change, we can change our attitude towards it. That’s what so much of meditation is really about—changing our attitude from a self-centered, "get rid of this or get more of that" to one of welcoming life as it is. Welcoming the opportunity to eat food that we don’t like. Welcoming wearing three robes on a hot morning. Welcoming discomfort, feeling fed up, wanting to run away. This way of welcoming life reflects a deeper understanding. Life is like this. Sometimes it’s very nice, sometimes it’s horrible, and much of the time it’s neither one way nor the other. Life is like this.

Further excellent reading on real freedom:

A Taste of Freedom by Ajahn Chah read more here

There Is Nothing Wrong With You for Teens (Paperback) by Cheri Huber. Read more here

A Thousand Names for Joy: Living in Harmony with the Way Things Are by Bryon Katie. Read more here

The Great Value of Being Human by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Read more here