What Does It Mean to Be Truly Free?

Celine Veloso
Jun 12
3 min read

Today is Philippine Independence Day. A day of flags, parades, and pride in our nation's story of struggle and sovereignty. But amidst all the celebration, I found myself wondering: what does it really mean to be free?

Not just as a country, but as a person.

Like you, I’ve grown up hearing about heroes who fought for our freedom. It’s awe-inspiring. But I’ve also come to realize—there’s another kind of battle happening every single day. A quieter, more personal kind. The fight for inner freedom.

The truth is, so many of us are walking around with invisible chains.

We may be outwardly independent, but inwardly? We’re still trapped. Trapped by the fear of what others think. By past wounds we haven’t healed. By the stories we keep telling ourselves that we’re not good enough, not ready, or not worthy of joy, peace, or success.

So, what’s holding you back?

Take a moment. Breathe.

Ask yourself:

What belief do I carry that keeps me small?
What wound from the past still whispers doubt in my ear?
Where in my life do I feel like I’m constantly shrinking, instead of expanding?

These are the real questions of freedom. And they require a different kind of courage—the courage to look within.

Reiki & The Road to Inner Freedom

If you’re new to Reiki, it’s a gentle healing practice that works with life force energy to restore balance—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It’s not magic. It’s not religious. It’s simply a path to clarity, connection, and calm.

Through Reiki, I’ve learned that spiritual freedom isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about returning to who you already are—before the pain, before the pressure, before the fear.

When I work with clients, I often sense blockages—not just in their bodies, but in their hearts. There’s so much we carry that isn’t even ours: ancestral patterns, societal expectations, unspoken traumas. Reiki helps us soften. Release. Heal.

It’s like peeling away layers of armor we didn’t even know we were wearing.

Independence Isn’t Just for Nations

We celebrate national independence today because it matters. It reminds us of the value of freedom on a grand, societal scale. But I believe there’s also a quiet revolution happening within each of us—the journey of spiritual liberation.

You don’t need to fight with swords or stage a revolution. Sometimes, choosing to love yourself a little more, forgive someone who hurt you, or say yes to rest—that is your revolution.

And here's the truth: you deserve to be free. Not just from colonizers of the past, but from the mental clutter, emotional baggage, and spiritual disconnection that keep you stuck.