What does “freedom” really mean?

As an American, a common value that comes up time and time again is the concept of freedom. And like most values, the true definition of “freedom” is a bit ambiguous and likely differs depending on who defines it. Are we truly a “free country?” And what does that even mean?

Lately I’ve been getting back into meditation and have started to understand what a free mind looks like (in short bursts, of course). And from my understanding, I see freedom and detachment as one in the same. Our minds are not free when we are attached to rigid ideas, perspectives, or narratives that we cling onto. 

So for example, for the majority of my life, I have clung onto the idea that my worth is determined by how well I did in school. The way in which I viewed myself was largely dependent on outside factors and external validation. Some days, I did really well in school, feeling good about myself. And other days, I failed tests, had to retake some classes, and had no idea what the professor was talking about. 

Years of my life, I was not free because I was letting external factors impact my sense of self, and this in turn impacted how I interacted with the world. When I wasn’t succeeding in school, my self worth dropped and I took less risks in all areas of my life. I wouldn’t strive for my goals because they seemed impossible. I would turn down social invites because academic related anxiety manifested itself into social anxiety. Because I saw the world through the lens of low self-esteem and low self worth, I wouldn’t strive for my wants and struggled to fulfill my needs.

Of course, this is just one example of many. I know that I’m attached to a variety of different ideas, thought patterns, and material possessions that make me much less free than I hope to be. I’m conscious of some of these attachments, but there are likely far more that I am not conscious of. When I think about how infinite a human mind is, and how much stuff could be lurking under the subconscious mind, it makes me wonder if the entire framework of my mind is merely a series of attachments that I have no idea exist. I guess, in a way, the act of becoming aware of these subconscious thoughts is the first step in freeing your mind. 

On a larger scale, though, it’s likely that the majority of humans are attached to these thoughts that they’re unaware of. If the overwhelming majority of people are like this, I’d say none of us are truly free. In the United States, for example, most people are attached to material possessions, specific ideas of success, and values that have been passed down to them through generations. Whether or not people are aware of these attachments that I have just listed largely depends on the person. 
This is not to say that all attachments are necessarily bad, but holding onto rigid ideas of how things are supposed to be prevents you from exploring all possibilities. If you believe that there is one path to take in life, then you’re not free to explore another path that may suit you better.