Between Anchor and Freedom

What anchor, give freedom. What free, anchor.

Could you relate to what limits you but at the same time gives you freedom?

I remembered when I was in school. Discipline to study gave me freedom of not have to worrying my scores.

In real life, religion is one of the best example. As Muslim, there are plenty of rules that can’t be broken. Shalat, Puasa, Zakat, Halal, Haram, those are that simple in theory, but complicated if applied in reality because they are not always compatible. But discipline to practice those rules will give the soul freedom. The whole of self (body, mind, soul) will be free from the burdens of doing unlawful things.

Every deeds we do is exchange. We sacrifice things to get what we expect. In doing unlawful things, we sacrifice the integrity of self to get something that most of the time are not worthy the sacrifice itself.

Realization of what we sacrifice

If somebody, for example, has the rule that is not to think, then what is the sacrifice to it? That person will be dictated over time, weakening his integrity. If not thinking reward this person with plenty of materialism, then this person’s mind is bought. Therefore his surrounding should notice this and develop cautiousness towards whatever voice this person brings, because his allegiance is into influence or money without integrity. Of course, this person will sacrifice to practice the codes that keep the position. But bigger sacrifice is that the voice to establish goodness in the world is taken.

What do I sacrifice and what do I expect?

My heaviest sacrifice goes to my cognitive works because I have to think plenty of things that are inflicted to me. The passage has evolve the way I see the worlds. I ask myself about what do I expect for holding my ground? I doubt my answer many times and think about the possibility if I’m simply stupid, naive, or impractical. But for now, I want to comply with Islamic’s way.

There was story, about somebody in Prophet’s lifetime was to enter Islam but need time to think. The Prophet encouraged the person to think because Islam is for those who think. I intrepret it as Islam is for everybody, including those who think. Therefore when I think about my situations and try to keep comply with Islamic’s rule, I will bill and invoice it as ibadah later in the end of time.

So do we have to anchor ourselves?

There are already anchors to our life whether or not we realize it. It’s something we should check closely everytime. The question is, whether what anchoring us is worthy for what we get. Not only in the sense of worldly material, but also for our surrounding, our mind, our soul.