Internal Freedom

Some years ago, the Washington National Zoo was overcrowded. For a time, a magnificent polar bear was forced to live in a cage not much bigger than he was. To satisfy his impulse to keep moving, the bear had room only to stride three paces north, rear up, turn, stride three paces south, and then repeat that pattern for hours.

During this time, a spacious area was being constructed for the bear with plenty of room to move and swim. The new arena was constructed around the bear's little cage so that, when construction was complete, it was only necessary to bring in a winch and lift out the little cage to automatically free the bear into his new kingdom.

So when they finally did remove the cage, what did the bear do with this new freedom? For some time afterwards, he strode three paces north, reared up, strode three paces south, reared up
and . . .

"FREEDOM!" How we long for it! Freedom--liberty--has been a pre-occupation of the human spirit since individuality emerged from tribal consciousness about 3,000 years ago. As teenagers, we longed to be out from under the repressive thumbs of our parents; as adults, we chafe at the restraints we see all around us.

Most of the struggle for freedom throughout human history has been against external constraints: against serfdom and slavery, against the domination of men over women, against racism and civil injustice, against crushing poverty (if you have the misfortune to be a "third world" peasant). We have been, like the bear, restrained by external bars.

For those living in what we call the "free world," the battle for external freedom has progressed well, for the moment. The cage has been lifted off. Restrictive laws still exist, but are fewer than ever (getting a passport can be a pain in the neck, but you can get one). Harsh domination of one person by another is decreasing (you may have a boss, but, he doesn't even own a whip).

Those reading this article are far freer from external control than their parents or grandparents.

For us, the primary battle for freedom has now shifted from the external world of other people and institutions to the inner world of belief and ideology. Like the bear after the cage was removed, we are still restrained, not by external bars, but by "shoulds", beliefs, and world views.

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