Overcoming Obstacles to Living Free

Many believe fear is the primary barrier to freedom, but at a deeper level, craving is the true obstacle. Fear arises as a byproduct of craving—our attachment to security, pleasure, identity, and control. When we unravel craving, fear loses its grip, and we begin to experience true liberation.

The Root of Craving

In Buddhist philosophy, craving is central to Pratītyasamutpāda—the chain of dependent origination that perpetuates suffering. It manifests in many ways:

•The craving for pleasure—most obviously seen in our pursuit of sensory gratification, particularly through the experiential and material possessions.

•The craving for survival—the need for food, water, and shelter is natural, but when it turns into an obsession with security, it breeds anxiety.

•The craving for power—status, control, and influence often stem from an unconscious attempt to shield ourselves from uncertainty.

Neuroscience supports this understanding. Research on addiction and behavioral patterns reveals that craving activates the brain’s reward system, particularly the dopamine pathways. The more we chase gratification, the more our brain reinforces these cravings, keeping us trapped in cycles of desire and dissatisfaction.

The Illusion of Self and Security

The fundamental misunderstanding at the heart of craving is the belief in a separate, independent self. This illusion—what neuroscience calls the default mode network—is the mental chatter that constantly defines "me" versus "other," reinforcing attachment and suffering.

Korean Buddhism teaches that this self is not a fixed entity but a construct arising from experiences, thoughts, and conditioning. Similarly, modern psychology suggests that identity is fluid, shaped by perception and past narratives. The ego seeks permanence, but everything is impermanent. This creates a paradox: the more we cling to security, the more anxious we become.

The Path to Freedom

True liberation comes not from acquiring more but from letting go. Meditation, particularly in traditions like Zen, offers a method to break free from craving. Through stillness and awareness, we see thoughts for what they are—impermanent, transient, and not inherently "ours."

The state of samadhi, described as deep meditative absorption, arises when the mind ceases its restless seeking. Neuroscientific studies on long-term meditators and monks, show that meditation reduces activity in the fear-based amygdala and enhances connectivity in the brain’s regions associated with emotional regulation.

But meditation alone is not enough. True freedom requires integrating awareness into daily life—living with integrity, acting with compassion, and embracing the reality of impermanence. When we stop chasing, we begin to experience the peace that was always there.

Living Free

Freedom is not about escaping life’s challenges but about transforming our relationship with them. When we dissolve the illusion of self and release attachment to outcomes, we move beyond fear and craving. This is the path to true, unshakable peace—the essence of living free.

Copyright Elizabeth Galton, 2025