July is a time that we celebrate our freedom and independence as a nation. As Americans, we are proud of the fact that our constitution protects our rights for free speech and religious tolerance. Slowly but surely we are helping to pass laws to protect the freedom and equal rights of women, minorities and gays. Also, our culture encourages us to move away from home when we are adults and to follow our own bliss and whims.

We may have all this freedom on the outside, but how free are we on the inside? In our own minds, few of us are truly free. If we honestly look at ourselves, our repetitive thoughts and our chronic actions, we see that we are in bondage. We are slaves on a mental level. This explains why we think the same negative thoughts over and over again — and why we wanted to be 10 pounds thinner for last year’s July 4th picnic, yet have continued the same habits and still have those extra pounds this year and also why we continue to snap at our spouses and children even though our best intentions are to change these hurtful behaviors.

Basically, we are all chained up by our subconscious minds. How free can we truly be when we are subject to the puppet strings of our subconscious programming? This is a programming that defies logic, reason or our best intentions. The subconscious can be good, of course. For instance, we need it to “remind” us to breathe while we are sleeping or to help us automatically continue to drive a car while we speak to our passenger. But the subconscious can work against us when we perform actions “under its influence” that make us feel crummy later. Everybody is in some degree of subconscious bondage — it isn’t that you’re weak-willed or stupid!

Meditation to the rescue! Meditation provides a fool-proof way of freeing yourself. Just a few minutes each day of quiet reflection can work to release you from the hypnotic power of the subconscious.

Let’s take the example of overeating. Maybe you eat tons of junk food one weekend. You promise yourself Monday morning do go on a healthy diet plan and to go to the gym three days that week. You made a choice freely with your conscious mind. But as you go through the day, you move into “auto pilot.” You’re at your job and your boss is pushing your buttons. Pretty soon you’re not free anymore because your habits make you a victim to your subconscious mind.

Eventually someone asks if you want a donut. In your stressed out state of mind you say, “Yes!” and scarf down half the box. You get angry and disappointed with yourself and don’t go to the gym since you feel sick from all the sugar. Hmmm... how free were you in that situation?

However, if you combine the gentle strength of meditation with the force of your will power, you’ve got a sure-fire formula for success. By having a few minutes of quiet time in the morning, you have an invisible assistant at your side. You won’t go into an automatic mode so easily. You will be aware of your thoughts and actions and how they are causing you to feel and behave.

When your boss acts like a jerk, you’ll notice it doesn’t get to you. You will be able to brush it off or you’ll get up and walk around the block to release the negativity. You’ll stay centered and remain true to yourself. Now when someone offers you the donut, you have a moment of calm before you blurt out an instinctual answer. You will remember your intentions for the week — and how lousy you’ll feel if you eat a donut (or six). You’ll surprise yourself when “No thanks” comes out of your mouth. And you’ll have dignity, not only because you stuck to your plan for the day, but also because you are free.

Small victories such as this will encourage you to meditate more often. And the more you meditate, the more you’ll see “hopeless” life situations resolving themselves almost effortlessly. Congratulations! You will be on your way to being a truly independent person. You’ll be free to make choices and stick with behaviors that are in your best interest and make your life happy and fulfilling.

Aluna Michaels is a second-generation astrologer and soul evolutionist practitioner. She also holds a Masters in Spiritual Counseling and has been teaching and consulting for more than two decades. Aluna is available for appointments in her home or by phone. Call (248) 583-1663 or visit www.alunamichaels.com.