I believe at a certain point along one’s journey, it becomes evident that external victories are predictable in their fleeting, temporary fulfillment. At this point, I believe the perspective begins to turn inward, and though not a lick of difference might be seen (even while the same or greater effort may be directed toward an external victory), the internal focus has shifted to allowance of internal phenomena–all thoughts and feelings are internally expressed, released, and make room for the default wellbeing that follows internal stillness.
When this happens, I believe that priorities have shifted to harmony with all aspects of self, and, ironically, external phenomena can be fully enjoyed to their peak capacity. I believe this is synonymous with true freedom and the highest fulfillment.
Dirty Sci-Fi Buddha 
Perfectly said but I’m not there yet. One day I will get there, I hope!
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You’ll get there. Just a matter of time!
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I find solace in your perspective. When we are able to focus on the grace within, we just might silence the noise around us.
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Thanks! Yes, it’s an undeniable force.
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Here here!
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There is another view of freedom, which one will find expressed by mainly Eastern teachers. And that is that we are only ‘free’ when we are sufficiently conscious to be able to choose our inner state – when we are not simply buffeted by the winds of fortune. We can develop a habit of ‘self-calming’, which seems like freedom because it insulates us. But then we are prone to let evil slide by; we are prone to indulge our own pleasures without conscience as to their wider effect. That insulation is not freedom; it is deeper sleep and deeper dream. To empathise with others – and to be truly Human – we need to be able to feel their suffering and yet maintain balance within ourselves.
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Well put. Those are important distinctions.
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Fingers crossed!
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