External Freedom and Inner FreedomAs long as you base your life on wealth, property and worldly things, you willnever be able to derive any real joy. There are two things which every personhas to attain; one is external freedom, the other is inner freedom. Externalfreedom speaks of independence, being free of external bonds and limitations.Inner freedom speaks of liberation from the bondage of the senses, having themunder your full control. Every individual should realize both of thesefreedoms.In the external world, as long as you are under the control of people who areunsympathetic towards you, such as some foreign king or ruler, you will not beable to get real joy. In the inner world, as long as you are a slave of thesenses, then you will also not be able to enjoy real freedom. Even for theouter freedom, sense-control is important. But for becoming master of the innerworld, the single most important faculty that you must develop is the control ofthe senses and thereby gain control over the mind. Once you have control of themind you will be able to turn it away from the world and towards God. Then youwill get real joy, both externally and internally, for then you will see thedivinity everywhere.Control of the mind and control of the senses is the victory that must be won byall human beings. Up to now you have been craving for different types of joysand pleasures; you go on uttering prayers for attaining happiness but you arenot making any real effort to discover where that happiness is to be found.Krishna told Arjuna, "You are deluding yourself, believing that you can gethappiness and peace in daily life. But, you won't be able to get real joythere. Sense-objects cannot give you the joy that you are seeking. It is onlywhen you control your senses that you will be able to get peace and joy."Whether you are a believer or a non-believer, you will have to gain control overyour senses. Be the master of your senses. Do not allow them to get excited andrun after sense-objects. When the senses get excited and you follow them, youwill become weak and forget the Lord. Keep your senses under control and keepyour mind firmly fixed on the Lord. Follow his teaching and directions. Withouthis grace your strength will leave you, and you will not be able to undertakeany useful work.
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