Independence in the outer world vs the inner world
On August 15, we celebrate India’s hard-won sovereignty. But independence is not just a political achievement—it can also be an inward journey. While a country may break free from colonial rule, individuals can remain bound by dogma, prejudice, fear, and inherited beliefs.
Around the world, political and religious divides deepen daily. In the United States, culture wars over identity, reproductive rights, and immigration are polarising communities. In South Asia, communal tensions between faith groups continue to erupt. In the Middle East, geopolitical rivalries cloak themselves in the language of religion. All these conflicts serve to remind us that external freedoms can be hollow if our inner landscapes remain imprisoned.
The call for spiritual freedom
Spiritual independence is the freedom to seek truth without the weight of imposed beliefs or rigid doctrines. It is about recognising that meaning, purpose, and compassion are not the sole property of any one religion, ideology, or cultural inheritance.
Sri Aurobindo, whose birth anniversary falls on 15th August, expressed a dream in 1947:
The final dream was a step in evolution which would raise man to a higher and larger consciousness and begin the solution of the problems which have perplexed and vexed him since he first began to think and to dream of individual perfection and a perfect society. This is still a personal hope and an idea, an ideal which has begun to take hold both in India and in the West on forward-looking minds.
His vision was not about rejecting tradition, but about evolving human consciousness itself—a shift that transcends the boundaries of organized religion and enters the realm of universal truth.
In an era when borders, beliefs, and identities are hardening, spiritual independence invites us to live in a way that is both rooted and free—anchored in inner values yet open to the vastness of human experience.
Barriers to inner sovereignty
The human mind is easily caught in the gravitational pull of its conditioning. Our upbringing, social circles, media consumption, and even the algorithms that shape our online feeds reinforce beliefs we may never question. This leads to subtle forms of bondage:
- Defining our worth by societal standards
- Blind allegiance to inherited ideologies
- Mistaking conformity for peace
These invisible chains limit our ability to see the humanity in those who think differently—and to access the deeper self beyond all labels.
Paths to a freer self
Living with spiritual independence does not require renouncing the world or rejecting one’s faith. It asks, as I understand, only that we engage with life from a place of awareness rather than autopilot. Some practices include:
- Self-inquiry – Regularly questioning one’s beliefs and motivations.
- Mindfulness – Being present without judgment, seeing reality as it is.
- Compassion in action – Extending kindness beyond group identities.
- Diverse learning – Reading and engaging with philosophies outside one’s own tradition.
- Silence and reflection – Creating space to listen to the inner voice rather than external noise.
Living with spiritual independence does not require renouncing the world or rejecting one’s faith. It asks only that we engage with life from a place of awareness rather than autopilot. Practices such as self-inquiry, mindfulness, and compassion in action can be beneficial.
Faces of spiritual independence
Secular spirituality is not a modern invention—it has been lived and championed by thinkers, leaders, and artists across time and cultures. Here are a few who embody its essence:
- Rabindranath Tagore – Poet, philosopher, and Nobel laureate who envisioned a spirituality rooted in humanism, art, and the unity of all existence.
- Swami Vivekananda – Though a Hindu monk, he often emphasized universal spirituality beyond religion, declaring, “Truth is one; sages call it by different names.”
- Jiddu Krishnamurti – Renounced religious titles and spoke of truth as a pathless land, accessible to anyone willing to observe their own mind.
- The Dalai Lama – Advocates for secular ethics and compassion as a universal human responsibility, not tied to any one belief system.
- Eckhart Tolle – Brings presence and mindfulness into everyday life without anchoring them to a formal religion.
- Carl Sagan – The astrophysicist who found awe and wonder in the cosmos, reminding us that science and spirituality can walk hand in hand.
- Sri Aurobindo – Although his philosophy does not explicitly frame itself as “secular spirituality,” it emphasizes a spiritual path that is free from traditional religious dogma and open to individuals from any background. His vision transcends organized religion, encouraging an inclusive and evolutionary approach to consciousness that welcomes all seekers.
Why it matters now
In an era when borders, beliefs, and identities are hardening, spiritual independence invites us to live in a way that is both rooted and free—anchored in inner values yet open to the vastness of human experience.
It’s a freedom that asks more of us than political independence ever could: the courage to question ourselves, the humility to learn from others, and the discipline to live in alignment with what we discover.
A quiet revolution
I have found that the journey towards spiritual independence is not loud or headline-making. It begins in small, personal choices: a moment of stillness before reacting, a willingness to listen to an opposing view, a daily practice of gratitude. And as more individuals live this way, it plants the seeds for a society that reflects the harmony we long for.
This Independence Day, I find myself thinking not just of the freedom our nation fought for, but of the quieter liberation each of us must seek within. The work of unshackling our own minds and hearts is lifelong—and perhaps the truest gift we can offer the world. Because a free world can only be built by free human beings.
Last year, in the run-up to August 15, we carried a multi-part special with the theme, ‘India’s contribution to the world is civilizational.’ You can read it here:
5 comments
Such a lovely point of view. To be free within is as important as the freedom of the land which we inhabit. Since we are blessed to live in one of the greatest democracies of the world, we have the freedom to direct our minds in the direction of our choosing and hence we should take full advantage of the same. We are free to listen to different spiritual leaders and learn from them, a blessing which millions are deprived of.
Extremely engaging thoughts shared on the importance of spiritual independence. Quite an eye opener for many of us who live in a strife strewn stressful world.
Superb Raji. Loved reading every sentence and was wanting more. Loved the way you summarised the leaders philosophies.
Amazing article that brings out the essence of inner freedom..
So apt for the times.. esp. loved listening to an opposing point of view – just that would create a peaceful world.