The Freedom Trap: Reclaiming Liberty and Wellbeing

In many ways we have never been more ’free’. Those of us living in the western world are free of slavery. Legalised racial segregation such as was practised in South Africa’s apartheid era is a thing of the past. Women have the right to vote. We usually have some choice in the career path we would like to follow. We have the right to an education. We are free to follow our dreams, set goals and live the life we choose. Yet, mental health issues are sky-rocketing. Anxiety and depression are rife. We are all stressed out and overwhelmed. This is a world that increasingly seems to breed discontent. So, is all our so-called freedom nothing more than a trap of our own making? Has society’s pursuit of material gain come at the cost of genuine happiness? What can we do to change the status quo? In this challenging, confronting and eye-opening look at what freedom actually is - examined from philosophical, psychological, political, social, legal, ethical, scientific, historical and neurological perspectives - mindfulness expert Craig Hassed explores how we can alleviate our burdens (our worries, regrets and material desires) and find a life of peace, happiness and harmony - true freedom.