Find your Freedom

Today , we think about slavery and we think about chains and a person whose basic human rights are taken away , but humans are described as abdullah , exact translation being slave to Allah , despite the word slave in that phrase . That is the highest form of freedom . Let me explain to you why . See humans experience everything through the filter of their brain .

Our five senses are there to help us gather input , but ultimately , the only way we can make sense of our external reality is through our brain , and we have already established that humans have two kinds of brains lower and the higher brain .

Lower brain gives results that keep humans low , following carnal desires , engaging in hedonistic behavior , addictions , anger all our lower brain . Higher brain gives us results of a fulfilling , joyful and prosperous life .

So if you can have only two ways to live this life , then would you rather be enslaved to the lower brain that houses the whispers of shaitan or the higher brain that leads you to Allah ? Trust me guys , this is not a trick question .

There's only one obvious answer when we reject our path to Allah , we are enslaving ourselves to the lower brain , and that is not a fun place to be . If you are human , you have no choice but to be enslaved by one type of brain or the other , because that is the design of biology here . Which one would you choose ?

Enslaving yourself to Allah frees you from your lower brain and that , my friend , is the ultimate freedom . Defined like that , slavery is not such a bad idea , after all . Let me add here that when I present this model higher in the lower brain , I have made it painfully simple .

I am not ignoring Islamic concepts of ruh and qalb , that is , the spirit and the heart . I am just simplifying these concepts to make it applicable and so we can take practical steps to get out of the suffering we create for ourselves in this world . Remember , it's all about application .

Some people might call this too simplistic , but I don't think of it as a reductionist method . As always , I teach this concept from an abundance mindset .

Inshallah , in an upcoming episode I will have a chance to integrate all concepts of nafs , which is the self , usually the lower self concepts of nafs , which is the self , usually the lower self aql , intellect , ruh , spirit , qalb , heart . For now we will stick to the lower brain , which is nafs , and the higher brain no-transcript .

So what are some ways to come out of the slavery of the lower brain , or shaitan's grip ? Here are a few things you can do . Number one do a thought output . I mean , it's not the first time I've said this and it will definitely not be the last time .

See what it is that you're actually thinking before you can even begin to identify if it is a higher brain or a lower brain thought . Another way is to identify what results you're getting in life . I encourage you to learn to solve the formula CTFAR . You will have incredible results , I promise you .

A quick way to learn this is to set up an appointment with me for a free consultation , or you can review my previous podcasts . So if you go to my Facebook page , you'll see that at Islamic Life Coach School we say nurturing your thoughts .

I don't say dismiss your lower brain thoughts and only pay attention to your higher brain thoughts , but nurture all of them , because if you don't pay attention to your negative thoughts , they will keep creating results and you will be convinced that things are just automatically happening to you .

Thought output is one way to get out of that hamster wheel of actions where you keep doing things the same way and nothing productive happens . Number two this step has to do with science-based methods of identifying lower brain , also known as the primitive brain , by function .

Its job is to create fight , flight or freeze response , meaning if you're angry and reactive from rage or on the edge . It is a fight response .

If you're finding yourself to be afraid of something , for example fear of public speaking , or if you find yourself avoiding something because facing it brings you discomfort , like avoiding admitting to your mistakes or avoiding exploring your talent , this is a flight response . Your talent , this is a flight response . So avoidance behavior is a flight response .

If you find yourself stunned and can't respond to your situation or are indecisive or procrastinate , this is a freeze response . All of these are lower brain origin . Number three lower brain functions under a motivational triad . Three lower brain functions under a motivational triad which includes to avoid pain , seek pleasure and conserve energy .

Imagine three points of a triangle and these three being on each corner . Constant TV , social media or food indulgences or sexual desires are all about seeking pleasure . That is one corner of the triangle . Other corner is conserving energy , meaning brain conserves energy .

By remaining tied to old habit patterns , brain will go to extreme lengths to avoid thinking differently than what it currently thinks . That is the prime example of the brain being efficient and conserving energy , because creating new belief systems from the higher brain takes energy .

The third corner of the triangle is avoiding pain , which we've already talked about in avoidance behavior . So use these definitions of the motivational triad seeking pleasure , avoiding pain and conserving energy and identify where does it apply in your life .

Number four I saved this one for last , but the most powerful one is when you recognize that you're acting from the lower brain , or if you're unable to identify your lower brain patterns . Do your dhikr , remember Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala , say your istighfar , say a'udhu billah , make dua , make wudhu , pray nafil .

Whatever it takes , nothing engages the higher brain better than the remembrance of Allah . So use one of these techniques to identify if you are enslaved to the lower brain . Because , let's face it guys , enslavement to Allah SWT through practicing of your higher brain is the best freedom this mortal , finite , temporary world can offer .

You are to be enslaved to one or the other , so why not pick the right choice ? Who are you enslaved to ? So , when Allah describes a Muslim to be a slave to him , he knows that humans will create only failure by enslaving themselves to the nafs . I pray to Allah , subhanahu wa ta'ala , that we stay out of the trap of enslavement to the nafs .

I pray to Allah that we stay out of the trap of enslavement to the nafs . I pray that you create a life of your dreams once you have enslaved yourself to the right ideal , and that is Allah . Thank you so much , guys , and I will talk to you next time .