Communication and Boundaries
Does freedom mean doing whatever you want, and how does practice relate freedom to others' rights?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
Freedom still requires consideration for others. Wanting something does not justify disregarding harm to their rights. In discussing democratic freedom, we also spoke of respecting the law. Claiming freedom does not permit doing anything whatsoever.
A fellow practitioner connected this with empathetic compassion in practice, which I thought was a useful perspective. Besides whether you enjoy or can do something, examine its effect on people nearby. Having freedom also brings responsibility and limits to judge for yourself.
Practice therefore involves more than meditation, scripture recitation, or attention to your inner self. Your attitude toward others' rights in life and ability to apply what you learn also deserve attention.
When young, I was accustomed to following my heart and doing what I wanted. This helped me avoid continually suppressing feelings, but I sometimes centered myself too much and overlooked others' emotions. Later problems in work and running a company made me see that feeling free did not mean every action should follow only my wishes. Understanding my heart also required noticing my actions' effects on others.