I heard a pastor compare personal freedom to a funnel. The wide portion of the funnel represents personal freedom, and the narrow portion represents lack of personal freedom. He said that we all start at some point on the funnel. So if you start out on the wide portion of the funnel as you only seek personal freedom, over time your freedoms begin to be stripped from you as the funnel becomes narrower and narrower. This can be illustrated by a teenager who wishes to party 24/7 and have sex with whomever they wish and cut class and take illicit drugs. Eventually, this person will be negatively effected by their lust for personal freedom. More than likely they will not be able to attend college or find a descent job once they drop out of school. More than likely they will not be able to have a meaninful relationship if they constantly cheat on their lovers and more than likely wind iup with an STD that may even take their life. Or they could wind up legally obligated to pay for a child born out of wedlock that they don't even want. And of course, if they are using drugs it will drain both their wealth and their health away till both are gone. However, the ones that do not seek their own will and discipline themselves start at the other end of the funnel. As they constrict their own will for something better, their personal freedoms grow over time. All that studying pays off with a good paying job and now you can support yourself and a family. Also, the lover whom you married and have invested all your time and money in can now be there for you when you need them and you can combine your efforts to achieve your goals in life etc etc.
Of course, it's no secret that eduction and many other things you do at a younger age have benefits only in the future. I don't think anyone sits through the entire school system thinking that it's so much fun that couldn't possibly have been designed to a cause. However, I don't follow your analogue. Funnels don't remember how much water there has been in it earlier, so any karmic law like the one you present would only occur under some fairly obscure set of conditions, such as trying to fill a limited amount of water under a limited time. I'm also a tad confused as to why you've posted this in the religion section of the board.
Whether we like to admit to it or not, we all serve something. Some things bring "freedom" and other bring slavery. As for Christ, he said that he who sins becomes a slave to that sin. So as we see, there is no escaping submission, it only matters as to what. As for myself, I choose to follow Christ. But at what price? I must first begin my journey contraining my own will and conform to his. In short, I must start at the narrow end of the funnel. It is rather counterintuitive. For example, Jesus said that in order to lead, you must first serve. In turn, this service brings freedom/power. Historically speaking, when we look at figures, like Hitler, who tried to grab power and glory, they are eventually brought to ruin. However, those that choose to serve, like Jesus or Ghandi, are revered and by in large successful.
who are you following? ie.... what freedom? Basically, each learn so that THEY themselves can be free and not 'follow'. a slave to a belief, not jesus. Jesus wasnt the Christ and he even shared true wisdom to be 'free'. Mark 10:17 And as he is going forth into the way, one having run and having kneeled to him, was questioning him, `Good teacher, what may I do, that life age-during I may inherit?' 18 And Jesus said to him, `Why me dost thou call good? no one [is] good except One -- God; 19 the commands thou hast known: Thou mayest not commit adultery, Thou mayest do no murder, Thou mayest not steal, Thou mayest not bear false witness, Thou mayest not defraud, Honour thy father and mother.' And to simplify, jesus' words (per se): 'how can i live longer?', ............... why look at me, you know the rules? I love it. Jesus shared some cool stuff but idiots dont like to be responsible for themselves. Who is confined and who are free? ghandi didnt have people write stories after him, to make him a 'god' I like jesus, but i hate what liars do with his name
I still don't see where the funnels enters the equation. Is it just a complex way of telling the difference between "a lot" and "not so much"? Serving is good experience for those who want to lead well. That's why military tactics isn't taught at normal universities. You don't have to be the saviour of mankind to figure that out. However, I don't agree that that "brings" freedom/power. Gandhi didn't become powerful because he served, he became powerful when he stopped serving and started to be obnoxious. He was "brought to ruin", assassinated, whereas Stalin grabbed for power and ended up dying peacefully in his sleep. Now, I don't argue the opposite, that only the violent can become great, but I think your conclusion is hasted and based on cherry-picked examples. And includes one funnel to much to make sense.
did you note the source of the concept? Do you really think that either montra or that preacher actually thought about it?
Interesting analogy with its own merit, but used in a very black or white way... not surprising as you heard it from a Pastor. I see much grey area in the analogy though. My own life started at the narrow end, because I did not dare defy my overbearing father (a Christian, not like he has ever acted very Christian though), but once I moved out from under his rule I explored the wide end of the funnel for a few years... nearly to my ruin. I learned at 22 y/o that a life of drugs was a life of hell on Earth, so I cleaned up my act and for the last 20 years have been near the middle of the funnel. I obey all applicable laws but thumb my nose at many of the moral majority laws like men must have short hair and women must wear bras... I just see judgment of the superficial as shallow and stereotypical. We all have our stories and many will be much different than the homogenized analogy of the Pastor.
