Freedom

Since time immemorial, every philosopher worth his salt has tried to define freedom, yet we struggle to understand it, let alone live it.

While the precise definition of freedom may prove elusive, perhaps the concept is best understood in terms of duality, the interaction between opposites, in the sense of the Yin and Yang symbol, the Star of David, or a coin featuring two sides. Freedom may thus be regarded in terms of freedom from, and freedom to, the latter somewhat dependent on the achievement of the former.

Moses gave us Ten Commandments and 613 laws, thereby setting us free from, not only the externals imposed by the tyranny of the Pharaoh, but also from the internal demands dictated by our reptilian brain. Render on to Caesar what is his due, and on to God what He demands, and the result is freedom from tyrants who rule us, as well as demands of our own making, such as our addictions to food, sex, drugs, alcohol, gambling and work.

Freedom from then opens up the opportunity for freedom to pursue meaningful life objectives and passions by giving us time, space, and resources to invent, create, lead, and help others.

This is not a new concept, of course, as Arjuna, the main character in the ancient text, Bhagavad Gita, had been torn not only between the two warring sides of his family, but between his own lower and upper Chakras, his animal self and his higher self. This living free, after all, is an “arduous task.” 

The inspiration behind City Club is the notion of freedom being essentially the very tension between freedom from and freedom to. The application of Maslow’s hierarchy to the creation of City Club is the basis of that which allows us to feel safe at work, to enjoy what we eat, and to learn from those with whom we socialize. Highland Institute expands this freedom to advance the cause of human evolution.

— Sina.