'The price of liberty is eternal vigilance' ~ 'Are you free yet?’
I love the quote ‘The price of liberty is eternal vigilance' yet the wording feels heavy and dutiful. I believe that this vigilance when coupled with a true and established liberty and anchored sovereignty becomes as easy as breathing. I feel much of my work in the world is restoration of where we lost such vigilance. We never stop doing our work or take where we are in our journey for granted - or as an endpoint.
For we are evolving eternally.
When I was still on the lay monastic aspiration path for the 'Order of Interbeing', Thich Nhat Hahns Buddhist community, there was a senior monk who would randomly ask "are you free yet?" and stare at everyone in the room. He was much loved because of his sincerity, wisdom and heart, though he came across as very stern. One of my first telepathic experiences was with him when he gave me the name 'True Communion of Spirit' after hearing my about my experiences with Salmon and the impact of my former husbands whistleblowing. He also had a deep connection to the Earth and, I feel, already sensed that my path would change and why he gave me the name without ceremony. My initial name within this community was 'Mindful Way of the Heart'. My experience with these names is that they act like a guiding star on the path. They are a true gift of deep consideration from the senior monastics, for they see you and your potential, and, in the case of my first name, Thich Nhat Hahn as well ~ who is still very much a guide for me.
Anyhow back to the question "are you free yet?" ... I have a palpable reaction to this, which shows me the places where I am still not free. It is a good question to be introspective with. And the reason why I have I blue lotus tattooed on my right inner wrist with ‘Freedom’ in lilac, a constant reminder that the journey is a path towards being truly Free.
with much love,
from my Heart to yours,
~ Tania Aurora White Crow ~
Last summer the quote popped up in my memories after 10 years and today it happened again and gave me cause for further reflection. It, or a variation of it, is often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, though this is not it's origin. would love to know where or who it originates from?