On Freedom to Choose

Freedom and “freedom to choose” are two completely different things, and Sadhguru, in my opinion got this fundamentally wrong or may not have picked up the other thread. There is absolutely no question about the absoluteness of freedom, nobody has to provide it – it is a fundamental right of a living thing, not to be got nor does a parent endow it, or bequeath it to its progeny. 

The real question was should kids be allowed (free to) to make decisions (that have far reaching consequences in their lives). For most Indians this will mean at a basic level – freedom to choose a career / subjects of their choice (intermediate, graduation, PG etc.), freedom to pick up a mate of their choice. And in both these cases, we Indians tend to be imposing. Perhaps we believe we have seen live enough, or have experienced it enough to make the choices on behalf of our children. Most hilariously we seem to know what chemistry will work between a girl and boy and choose, rather ignorantly, a mate with whom they are supposed to spend rest of their lives. This happens because there is no concept of love in the Indian belief. Love happens, just like that – we tie a north and south pole and believe attraction will happen just like that.

The definition of success in India is fundamentally wrong. It is so much tied to material success. Qualifications, earnings, and acquisition of material wealth alone means a person is successful. Whereas it should not be about prestige, power, or possession, it is.