Inner Freedom & Collective Responsibility: A Yogic Reflection on Independence Day

Independence Day in the United States is typically celebrated with flags, fireworks, and a sense of patriotic pride. But in this moment—when division, uncertainty, and disillusionment saturate the political landscape—it’s worth asking: What does freedom really mean? And more importantly: What’s our role in it?

As yogis, we’re called not to turn away from the world, but to meet it with clear eyes and a steady heart.

Yoga Doesn’t End at the Edge of the Mat

In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, freedom (kaivalya) is the ultimate goal—not just freedom from pain, but liberation from the inner patterns that bind us. But yoga doesn’t stop with personal liberation. Actual practice teaches us to engage consciously with the world around us.

Freedom is not just personal—it’s relational. It’s communal. It’s political.

And yet, many of us are exhausted. Disheartened. Feeling powerless in the face of government protections and rights being chipped away and perhaps broken beyond repair. So we retreat into our practice for peace. However, the stillness cultivated during a yoga practice is not escapism. It’s preparation. We step onto the mat to quiet the noise, not to avoid it, but to see it more clearly and respond with awareness instead of reactivity.

Dharma Over Distraction

Right now, we are witnessing a moment in American history where foundational rights—bodily autonomy, voting access, the integrity of democratic institutions—are being contested or eroded. This is not “small stuff.” This is real.

It’s tempting to disconnect—to say, “I don’t watch the news,” or “I just want to focus on positive energy.” And while it’s healthy to create boundaries around what we consume, we can’t use spiritual practice as a shield from social reality. As Michael Singer teaches, avoiding discomfort doesn’t free us—it traps us. Yoga asks us to remain present even when things feel uncertain, unjust, or overwhelming. This moment requires exactly that kind of courageous awareness.

We must also recognize that what’s “political” to some is deeply personal to others. When rights are stripped from marginalized communities—whether related to race, gender, reproductive freedom, or access to the ballot box—it’s not a theoretical issue. It’s lived experience. And if our practice is rooted in compassion, then it must also be rooted in solidarity. This doesn’t mean we have to be activists in the streets (though some of us will be). It means we cannot remain spiritually neutral in the face of injustice. Neutrality is not peace—it’s privilege. Yoga asks us to wake up, not just to our breath, but to our responsibility.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna stands paralyzed on the battlefield, overwhelmed by the moral complexity of his situation. Krishna tells him plainly: This is your dharma. You don’t get to sit this one out.

We too are standing on a battlefield—not one of violence, but of values. Of truth. Of equity. Of care. The choice before us is not whether to engage, but how.

Independence or Interdependence?

This July 4th, instead of celebrating rugged individualism, what if we honored our interdependence?

Because real freedom doesn’t exist in isolation. My freedom is bound up in yours. If the yoga we practice teaches unity (yuj = to yoke), then how can we claim spiritual growth while turning away from the suffering or silencing of others?

We don’t have to agree on everything. But we are called to act with integrity. To vote. To stay informed. To listen deeply. To use our voices and choices to serve not just ourselves—but the whole.

Let This Be Your Practice

As we move through this season of national reflection, ask yourself:

• What does freedom mean to me—beyond slogans?
• Where am I still unconsciously clinging, closing, or tuning out?
• What action can I take to protect the dignity and wellbeing of others?

Maybe that’s having a tough conversation. Maybe it’s registering voters. Maybe it’s calling your congressional representative. Perhaps it’s showing up to class with your whole heart so you can bring the same presence to life.

Yoga teaches us that every breath is a chance to begin again. That inner liberation is inseparable from outer responsibility.

So yes, celebrate freedom this week—but also recommit to it. For yourself, for others, and the world we’re still learning how to care for and hold together.

May our practice not only bring us peace, but help us become steady enough to hold the fire of transformation.

Happy (inter)Independence Day.