Final Essay: What Have You Learned About Freedom this Semester?
How has your knowledge about the concept of personal freedom been shaped by what you have read and discussed in this class? Construct a thesis that expresses what personal freedom means to you now, considering how you will support this perspective with your sources.
Here are a few examples, with the direction each thesis will lead the essay towards. You may use any of these as-is or create one that is uniquely your own:
Personal freedom is the ability to regulate your emotions and behaviors. (This essay will likely focus on closing/opening and managing energy flow.)
Being contented and at peace, no matter the circumstances, shows that you are truly free. (This essay will most likely address perspectives and attitudes as the root of true freedom.)
To have personal freedom means that you have stopped trying to conform yourself to what the world expects from you and you can live as your authentic Self. (This essay will discuss the self (ego) vs. the Self (consciousness/spirit) and not getting lost in the world’s demands/in judgments from others.)
You will use three sources to support your points, two of them are chosen for you already:
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer
Your third source is up to you. Here are some suggestions you may enjoy reading and using. I will post links to all of these here in our Week 14-16 folder. I suggest you skim through the ones that call to you most and focus on what you are drawn to (DO NOT BE OVERWHELMED BY THIS LIST-IT IS JUST TO HELP AND SUPPORT YOU!):
“Kenyon Commencement Speech” video, text, and speech (also published as This is Water) by David Foster Wallace
The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice book, PowerPoint, and video by Deborah Adele
“Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver
“The Guest House” by Rumi
“The Four Keys to Well-being” by Richard Davidson
“Waking Up” by Roshi Joan
“Polishing the Crystal of Your Uniqueness” by Amoda Maa
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