Freedom means independence of anything outside, and that means that nothing outside itself could work upon it as a cause. The soul is causeless, and from this follow all the great ideas that we have. You cannot establish the immortality of the soul, unless you grant that it is by its nature free, or in other words, but it cannot be acted upon by anything outside.
Swami Vivekananda's quote delves into the concept of freedom
and its implications on the nature of the soul. Let's break it down:
Freedom as Independence: According to Vivekananda, freedom
is synonymous with independence from external influences. This implies that
nothing external has the power to act upon the soul as a cause.
Causelessness of the Soul: Vivekananda posits that the soul
is causeless, meaning it exists without being influenced or caused by anything
external to itself.
Implications of Soul's Freedom: From the premise that the
soul is inherently free and uncaused, Vivekananda suggests that this freedom
leads to profound implications. It forms the basis for various important ideas.
Immortality of the Soul: Vivekananda asserts that to
establish the concept of the soul's immortality, one must acknowledge its
inherent freedom. In other words, the soul's freedom implies its eternal
nature, as it cannot be subject to external forces that might cause its cessation.
Conclusion: Vivekananda's argument links the freedom of the
soul to its immortality. He suggests that the soul's freedom from external
influences is a fundamental aspect that underpins its eternal existence.
This perspective offers a philosophical interpretation of
the relationship between freedom and the nature of the soul, highlighting the
profound implications of this freedom on concepts such as immortality.