The cost of freedom
We think we’re most free when we can do as our heart’s desire. Anyone who has mastered any field will tell this is false. True freedom or simply freedom is achieved when one learns the limits and constraints of the field.
I practice and teach Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) for example. BJJ is a systematic based approach to grappling. The focus of BJJ is twofold: (i) to control your opponent through leverage, grip, and position; (ii) to isolate either your opponent's limb or neck and manipulate it such that the applied breaking force on their joint or the strangulation making them submit by "tapping out".
In BJJ you can freely toss your body wherever and whenever you please. But if you fight against a practitioner, I guarantee you’ll be submitted multiple times in 5 mins.
Both you and the practitioner are “free” to do as you please. However, the practitioner knows that mastering one’s movement requires constraints and limits. Hence, he trusts his training and moves thoughtfully. He doesn’t succumb to his instinct; rather his intellect rules his instinct.
Without the intellect, man is no different than his evolutionary kins. It is the intellect that distinguishes us from all animals. We have the power to plan for the future, engage in abstract discussions (i.e. What is law? What is love?), understand universals from particular things (i.e. abstracting circularity from a poorly drawn circle on a park bench), restrain our primal desires for something greater.
We can live in either of two ways: be ruled by our instinct or be ruled by our intellect. In BJJ, we are most free when we limit our movements because we understand that not all movements are beneficial. Similarly in our daily lives, it’s crucial we understand that discipline and responsibility = freedom.
This episode below is from my podcast, Kazingram Dialogue. I spoke at length with my friend Jim (Professor of Philosophy) on achieving freedom and living the good life. Jim tells his transformative story of how and why we went from being 300+ to being a world champion in BJJ.
If you want just the audio you can find my podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcast, and pretty anywhere else.