Fireworks, Partying, and The Real Meaning of the 4th of July

Dazzling fireworks color the night skies. People are dancing, laughing and having barbeques with friends. The 4th of July is one of those holidays that we seem to always remember: It was the 4th of July many years ago when Ed flew from NYC to Rome on his long journey by air, land and sea to India. There he would train to become a Yoga Master (Swami). More recently he skied high up in the Rockies on the 4th wearing only shorts and no shirt. What memorable 4th of July moments do you have?

But why are we celebrating like this? In the years leading up to 1776, Great Britain was demanding higher taxes and asking that the colonists follow more British rules. This resulted in the American Revolution, where the dominance of the British was rejected in the desire for independence, declared on July 2nd. The declaration became official on July 4th of that year.

This was a very important step and rightly celebrated, although, as Deb is British, we do have some conflicting opinions about this in our family!

But despite the celebration, do we ever stop to ask what real independence means?

Among other things, independence means freedom from control, self-determination, and nonalignment. Which, realistically, few of us practice. Most of us experience some level of being under the control of more powerful bodies, such as the IRS; few of us determine our own thoughts and beliefs but prefer to go with the general consensus; and most of us feel aligned to something, whether it be a political party, religion, race, or country, rather than being neutral or open to all.

So how can we integrate a greater sense of independence into our lives? How can we truly practice such an important declaration, not just as a country but also as individuals?

Five Ways to Embody Freedom

1. Think Your Own Thoughts
Every day we hear politicians, the media, religious leaders and others telling us what they think is good for us. And too often we go along with their opinions, with what everyone is thinking, without stopping to ask ourselves, "Is this what I think or believe as well?" The Buddha offered some great advice about this when he said, Don't believe what I say. Find out what is real or true for you.

2. Say What You Believe
How often do we come from our heart when we express ourselves? So often we are stuck in our heads and think one thing but say the opposite, because it is what everyone else is saying. We may have a great desire to fit in, but this can be at the expense of our real feelings and what is truly meaningful to us. It can be challenging to speak our own truth, but when we do it is ultimately very liberating.

3. Do What You Want To
As long as what we do does not harm anyone else, then freedom is doing just what we feel. This can include dancing in the rain, wearing a red hat, or walking barefoot through wet grass. It especially means feeling free to do all those things we were told we should not do, like singing or smiling for no reason at all.

4. Give Your Heart Away
Do we have things or do they have us? Does having more mean we are less free as we are concerned with protecting what we have or getting more? Some of the freest and happiest people we know have nothing. When we were in India the poorest people we saw living on the streets were smiling and playing and laughing. This especially applies to our heart. The more we love, the freer and happier we will be. And the more we give our heart away by caring and sharing with others, the freer we will feel in ourselves.

5. Be Still
Sitting still and being quiet may seem like the most limited of activities, but this is how we can enter into an inner spaciousness that is the most free place to be. So when the dancing is over, and the celebrating begins to wane, find a way to have time to yourself and enjoy the true freedom within you. Sit quietly, breathe into your heart, and have a smile on your face.

In our new book: BE THE CHANGE - How Meditation Can Transform You and the World, with contributors such as the Dalai Lama, Marianne Williamson, Robert Thurman, Jane Fonda, Michael Beckwith, astronaut Edgar Mitchell, Ellen Burstyn, Russell Bishop, and others. These luminous people share how meditation has brought them greater inner freedom.

What does the 4th of July mean to you? Do you have any good stories of freedom to share? Do let us know as we would love to hear from you! You can receive notice of our blogs every Thursday by checking Become a Fan at the top.

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Ed and Deb Shapiro's new book, BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You And The World, forewords by the Dalai Lama and Robert Thurman, with contributors such as Marianne Williamson, astronaut Edgar Mitchell, Byron Katie, Michael Beckwith, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Jane Fonda, Jack Kornfield, Gangaji, Ellen Burstyn, Ed Begley, Dean Ornish, Russell Bishop, and others, will be published November 3rd 2009 by Sterling Ethos.

Deb is the author of the award-winning book YOUR BODY SPEAKS YOUR MIND. Ed and Deb are the authors of over 15 books, and lead meditation retreats and workshops. They are corporate consultants, and the creators of Chillout daily inspirational text messages on Sprint cell phones. See: www.EdandDebShapiro.com

Follow Ed and Deb Shapiro on Twitter: www.twitter.com/raniraji

Comments

[MFLUDER]

Gosh, I can't wait til this weekend!

And, funny enough, I just made a video along these lines. An immigrant family comes to America from Portugal with a dream: to make fireworks for 4th of July.

Just a 3 minute look at this amazing holiday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKBnDdTmXjU&feature=channel

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

MFLUDER This is great and the concept is wonderful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKBnDdTmXjU&feature=channel

Happy 4th

Ed

[Alex The Bob]

1776 - More and more rules, higher and higher taxes. All of which were despised by individuals hundreds of years ago. Its funny how some things come around how some things never change..

Regardless of your political viewpoints: This Fourth of July, please be sure to remember the men & women of the armed forces, both past and present, who put their lives on the line for these freedoms we enjoy. Without them we wouldn't have the opportunities that are available to us today.

Keep 'em in your prayers...

Best of luck with the book Deb & Ed!

Happy Independence Day everyone!

[Enid]

Your concept is backward thieving Yankees wanted to expand too the west . Sell and prospered on stolen land and rites to water and all wildlife. Leave their debts and not pay the bills acquired from their free trade.

Constitution is just a agreement, statement we will pay our bills read it. Now of course we can't pay them. Didn't take that long 200 plus years.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Enid Truly thanks for your info ..it gives me another view

keep it up

Enjoy the journey,

Ed

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Alex The Bob - Thanks for sharing and bringing this to our attention:

Regardless of your political viewpoints: This Fourth of July, please be sure to remember the men & women of the armed forces, both past and present, who put their lives on the line for these freedoms we enjoy. Without them we wouldn't have the opportunities that are available to us today.

May you have a great 4th of July... and also the men and women ...who serve our nation.

Ed

[Eli Davidson - Huffpost Blogger]

I am waving the sparkler and gleefully celebrating this wonderful reminder to claim my freedom EVERY DAY!!!

Ahhh, "Give Your Heart Away" isn't that one of the best ways to live life.

I cherish you.
Eli

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Sweet sistah Eli,

Your message is zee best:

I am waving the sparkler and gleefully celebrating this wonderful reminder to claim my freedom EVERY DAY!!!

Ahhh, "Give Your Heart Away" isn't that one of the best ways to live life.

Joyfully,

Happy 4th

Ed

[sonoffestus]

Hi Gang,...............PART1
I have not celebratred the 4th for the past 3 years and will not again this year.

The 4th has become a day of reflection for me . I reflect on how far we have strayed from the ideals and values set forth by our founding fathers.

An unjust and illegal war, torture, Gitmo, curtailed civil rights, the continued discrimination against our
gay communities, domestic spying, rascism; hate and bigotry spewed forth over our airwaves goes unchecked or unchallenged. The rule of law seems to have been abandoned. Yes, we have come a long way

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

sonoffestus - Hi friend - glad to see you here

You have a point for sure...but let's celebrate that there are people like you who care... like me

let's open our hearts to the suffering abd be a friend to those that need a friend.

Bless all people who may or may not understand what you understand in the hope they will grow from the ignorance of our oneness

as our book says BE THE CHANGE..

Joyfully

Ed

[sonoffestus]

You're right Ed, we need to celebrate all of humanity............. those whom are aware and those not so. And this we should do everyday. I find just opening my eyes every morning a reason to celebrate. Being alive is good!

Living outside the US I watch, listen and read about the state of affairs and the public debate going on in the States, I find little to celebrate. Hopefully the forces of change will find their stride and the US and its people will find contentment. We can only hope.

[sonoffestus]

.
Part 2
Of course we can wave a flag, tie ribbons on trees and parade around town and everything will be all right. I will celebrate again when we as Americans stand up and demand an accountability to the values set forth by our founding fathers so many years ago. You know little things like the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Yet, I do not see that happening anytime soon. Why is it we proudly and continuously proclaim our greatness as a nation, yet are deaf to our many short comings? America is a great country full of wonderful people, yet I feel we are so out of step with the present. Unless we as a nation can regain our stride and restore our unique American soul, our future will be forever divorced from our past.

I do not mean to rain on anyone's parade, but amid the fun of family gatherings, cookouts, and parades , let's not loose sight of what American was, what we stood for and finally what we have become. Until we do, the Fourth will always ring hollow for me.

Now, everybody, go out have have a good time. There is absolutely nothing wrong with good party.
And everyone , party safely!

Peace.................................SOF

[Kate76]

I agree that the Fourth celebrates an America that doesn't really exist, but I love the party!

Anyway, the hypocrisy of the United States was every bit as evident in July 1776, as many of the "great men" who wrote the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights went home every evening to households serviced by slaves, which they brought to Philadelphia from their southern plantations.

They were obliged to return the slaves to the south periodically (I think it was every six months) because the rules of the north at that time forbade slavery, but gave them that little loophole. When the Constitution Center in Philadelphia was being built, the construction site turned into an archeological dig because they found the remains of Washington's home, complete with slaves' quarters and an underground passageway for them to travel to the main house without anybody seeing them.

Once in a while, George would ask Martha, who owned the slaves, to let them go. Her basic response was WTF? They were the basis of her fortune.

One of Washington's slaves, a cook named Hercules, took the opportunity in Philadelphia to run away, never to be heard from again.

The English wits used to laugh at these American "patriots" who held a pen in one hand and a bullwhip in the other. If you wonder why Americans have this endless capacity to rationalize the terrible things we do to other people, remember this was one of our original ingredients.

[sonoffestus]

Agreed, excellent points. No system or people are perfect, but over time hopefully things can and will be addressed. My concern is that we must not let ourselves become distracted from addressing fundamental flaws which undermine the nation. Some things cannot nor must not be swept under the rug.

And again I say, Party On!

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

WOW Kate76 - what info...thanks for informing us..it's great lesson in human behavior

It isn't a surprise though as a lotus grows from mud .. a rose from cow dung and humans need to grow out of the ignorance and wake up to their divine nature

We are one human family... someday we will realize it!

Happy 4th

Ed

[Enid]

Slave owner, exploiter's , scoundrels, en-slavers of labor and religious nuts our proud heritage.
Take off your rose coloured glass's. The good old days where not good at all. America it should be the 4th of shame and repentance day.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Enid, Thanks foir your honesty and point of view,,,

chances are you are right. Most people are ruled by their ego-centric mind. When people are self[centred they will always think of themselves first. Politics/politicians claim to be serving their people are actually self-serving. It's how it all has evolved. But their is hope and certainly real humanitarians. Barack Obama seems like he cares.

Let's keep the faith and hope for the best.

Joyfully,

Ed

[Enid]

We have always been THE UNITED SNAKES from day one.

[sonoffestus]

But we still like to party.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

not everyone

see the good in all people and someday they may see what you see

Life is a precious gift.. let us live a compassionate life... it's the right way..

Happy 4th

Enjoy the journey,

Ed

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

only if you believe it!

I know many eagles/swans/horses/tigers/angels

It's all in the eye of the beholder

happy days are yet to come!

Enjoy the journey,

Ed

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

hey Mate- I hear you and what you are saying rings aloud

But

What is true is the potential in this great nation... a nation that can elect Barack Obama and have a First Lady like Michelle and 2 healthy kids... what role models.. I have hope after 8 hopeless years under the B and C clan we elected the complete opposite... anything is possible

so don't give up on this country (and I know you won't) cause we will and YESS WE CAN

Enjoy the journey,

Ed

[CaveatMagnusFrater]

HI Ed and Deb,

There's a lot to say about freedom, To me, the most important freedom, freedom from governmental or sociatal oppression, is a very powerful desire/need for us as sentient beings. 233 years ago, a group of citizens, inspired by the writers from the enlightenment era, were able to tap into the populations need for freedom and sense of justice and foment a successful revolution against a powerful tyrant. That alone is an awe inspiring achievement. But then they climbed to even loftier accomplishments. They gave us our U.S. Constitution and citizen rule. When they added the 1st 10 ammendment listing our rights when dealing with our government, they created the greatest nation. Now many governments aroung the world have copied our template. Someday, government intrusion and oppression may be abolished. Progress; don't regress!

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi CMF - It's great to hear from you and thanks for sharing

I hav always been blown away by the brilliance of the Bill Of Rights. what an awesome and necesssary doctrine.

We have a great nation.... not all the time do we have individuals that reflect this but most people do

Happy 4th

Joyfully,

Ed

[cgohmann]

Hello Ed & Deb -
I grew up and lived in the states for much of the first half of my life, while frequently travelling outside of the country. Warts and all, I always had pride in my home country as standing for the rule of law and individual liberties.
I moved to Costa Rica about 12 years ago, and during the Bush/Cheney years my embarresment at their deceit and incompetance was matched by my confusion as to how the folks back home could elect these folks not once, but twice - I realize some might argue as to how this occured, but he was in fact the US President for two terms...
After President Obama's inauguration, a weight lifted for me, and I think for many of my friends here - a terrible chapter was finally over. While there are numerous challenges, and only time will tell how this next chapter will unfold, there is a general sense that a thoughtful, nuanced thinker and powerful communicator now resides in the White House.
On this 4th of July, I think it's worth remembering that the strength of the USA is in its capacity for change, even occasional transformation, despite the slow and unwieldly workings of government.
This strikes me as is worthy of celebration!
Blessings,
Charles in Costa Rica

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi mate... Good to har from you ...all theway in Costa Rica...technology is amazing

Bush wasn't elected .. they sole the election ... at that particular time hopeless scoundrels were about...
You went on to say:
"After President Obama's inauguration, a weight lifted for me, and I think for many of my friends here - a terrible chapter was finally over. While there are numerous challenges, and only time will tell how this next chapter will unfold, there is a general sense that a thoughtful, nuanced thinker and powerful communicator now resides in the White House.
On this 4th of July, I think it's worth remembering that the strength of the USA is in its capacity for change, even occasional transformation, despite the slow and unwieldly workings of government.
This strikes me as is worthy of celebration!"

I am with you dear friend Charles, Big Hugs,

Ed

[JEP57]

It was the Supreme Court that decided in favor of George Bush in Florida. "They" (Bush) didn't steal anything. It was only "stolen" if you didn't like who was elected.

[Pema]

i cant help but laugh everytime i see eds pic. hes laughing during the photo shoot.
I wanted to post something "serious" "important" yet the deity of "laughing ed" has my inner giggle bunny going.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Pema - you got me....I am not sure what you mean

can you explain?

Joyfully,

Ed

[curiousasheck]

Blowing stuff up and making noise on the 4th isn't going to change the fact is it's going to take a while and some real work and sweat to change our "image" as one of the dumbest, most-mean-spirited, deluded and spiritually vapid Empires of all time.

Have a nice 4th

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

curiousasheck

I think we have had some pretty good competition

The only way we can create change is within ourselves... I know plenty of great people who are doing great and caring seva ...service... do see our new book published Nov. 3rd

BE THE CHANGE- How Meditation Can Transform You and the World

do your best and leave the rest....

Have a happy 4th

[curiousasheck]

Ed there is nothing wrong with experiencing joy and fun in life but as you know any true path to realization also demands serious discipline and devotion and concentration.

Uh oh . . this is where people think it's to much sacrifice. Especially with all the "temptations" (ego-senses-body) we're bombarded with every second of our existence.

So on that ♪ have a happy Kali Yuga of July

Aum

[JEP57]

The United states isn't mean-spirited, deluded, or a vapid "empire". We have done more for the world in foreign aid, charity, and sacrifice than most countries combined. And most Americans aren't concerned with our "image". It's not an issue. We're all going to enjoy watching fireworks and having our cookouts and have fun.

[curiousasheck]

Well if your immediate demand and desire for supply is watching fireworks and having a cookout do it.

[Arithrianos]

My freedom is never about independance, that is all about EGOs distorted and primitive view of reality, there is only dependant arising, or interdependant co-arising, or interbeing, or Indras net, or nonduality, or whatever, what there never is is a separate being that even has the possiblity of being independant, after all you body is kept alive by myriad small beings, so if you can't even stay alive by yourself, then independance is totally impossible. That said, all of your suggestions are spot on, they are my "commanandments" if i have any, i always say what i am sure is me, but there is ego and it's wildness, so some control is neccessary to have true freedom, to me it is like the Ox herding pictures, the way to freedom starts with first catching then taming the mind. Trungpa R. used to compare it to the freedom of a world class skier, he is free not because he does whatever, he is free because he has trained his body to do what should be done to get down the slope without crashing, it has nothing to do with wildness. Another way of sayin this is there is no freedom from consequences, only freedom within consequences, you have to work reality directly to esacpe the bondage of ignorance, of working with reality second or third or morth hand.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Arithriannos - It is always great to hear your dharmic wisdom

I met Trungpa in 1970 when he forst came to America .. it was in NYC ... he blew my mind ..his outrageous behavior and wisdom combination was

beyond the beyond .. gate gate para gate ...bole swaha

I hope people do read your comment!

In the dharma,

Jygpo (Ed)

[RadicalRepublican]

Hi Ed and Deb,
I love the fireworks of the 4th and spending the afternoon at a bar-b que with friends is one of my favorite pasttimes. Many years ago, I heard the best speech about freedom in Dennis Hopper's brilliant movie, EASY RIDER. In it, Jack Nicholson as George Hanson' says,

"Course, don't ever tell anybody that they're not free 'cause then they're gonna get real busy killin' and maimin' to prove to you that they are. Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em."

That reminds me, time to watch that classic again.

Enjoy your holiday,
RR

[Kate76]

Being from Philadelphia, I've given more thought to the Fourth of July than many others, perhaps. It's important to remember that July 4th is the day we declared our independence, not the day we achieved it. I don't think anybody but an historian can tell you the date we won our independence. So I guess it's the declaration that counts!

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi RR - WOW - that is wild..

."Course, don't ever tell anybody that they're not free 'cause then they're gonna get real busy killin' and maimin' to prove to you that they are.

Enjoy,

Ed

[MerhabaAbi]

Hi Ed, Hi Deb,

What great advice. I need to work all five of the ways but (2. Say What You Believe) seems to be my squeeky wheel. I have a habit of keeping my thoughts to myself if I think someone will think poorly of me for what I have to say. I know it's wrong and I'm not following King Hamlet's wonderful advice; "To thine own self be true", yet all to often, I don't muster the courage to speak up. I'd like to say I'm going to change that starting right this minute, but if I do, I might be lying. I'll try to work on it a little bit at a time. Thanks again for sharing the way.

Big love,
Little brother

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

MerhabaAli i aloha - great to connect with you as always-

as far as #2 .. ultimate we are are own best friend .. we live alone .. die alone and meet kindred spirits along the way (and others) it ok if someone things poorly of us

as Byron Katie says .. if someone wants to yell at you.. let them yell it makes them happy. Everyone at anytime is capable of being a fool ....

it doesn't matter if someone thinks poorly of us as long as we don't think poorly of ourselves.

Happy 4th,

Ed

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Greetings Ed and Deb from your British Sistah!

As a Brit, I could say: what a relief to let the Americans get on with their own thing now! But I happen to love the American spirit and freedom.

It seems to me now more than ever before, individuals everywhere are being called to think for ourselves and be true to ourselves. It makes me laugh when politicians say: "People want..... " and I wonder: do they? The beauty of HP is that we get to say what we want and what is true for us. That to me is a real strength that comes from freedom.

Now when that also comes with greater acceptance and tolerance for many and varying points of view, well that is a huge blessing. I love your Five Ways to Embody Freedom Yum!

With love and blessings to you,
Anne

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi anne - one of my favorite and intelligent LIVING bloggers. and soul Sistah's

Your posts have intelligence thanks.

We spend much time in England and I am an English citizen ...proud of it BUT I am an American and happy to be in a country that cn make a huge difference.

There is great heart here and great people.... teh UK is cool too. The blend is spot on! I learn from bith

Hugs,

Ed

[tapeatsbill]

"Give Your Heart Away." Beautiful !

The 4th of July memory that comes to mind is as young man working on my uncle's ranch in Montana. We took the day off and didn't put up any hay! Took the ponies for a ride. Laughed. Ate fresh corn on the cob. Generally had a great time laughing with our tribe of family and neighbors.

And, that summer, our uncle Joe made it back from Vietnam uninjured! Free from worry. Grandma especially.

Thanks you two. Am a fan for sure!

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

tapeatsbill I am a fan of yours... thanks for your special comment ... full of heart

glad uncle Joe made in back!!!!

Enjoy your 4th weekend

Let freedom shine,

Ed

[Janice Taylor - Huffpost Blogger]

As I say in my book, ALL IS FORGIVEN, MOVE ON (Penguin Group) ...
Freedom stems from our capacity to act consciously, in a well-balanced manner.
Ultimate freedom is about taking responsibility for one's life.

The real freedom lies within.

Happy Independence Day to all...

Janice Taylor
www.ourladyofweightloss.com

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Glorious sistah Janny - Always happy to see your face smilin' back at me...

Yup Freedom lies within

and let the love flow,

Big Heart,

Ed