The Value of the Person and of Individual Freedom in the Natural and the Spiritual
By Christina Margeti
In the world that surrounds us, there are various theories claiming that “we are all one”, that our individual existence ought to dissolve, to be nullified within a supposedly collective unity. There is, of course, a truth in this: life does connect beings—at least occasionally—through bonds of interaction (depending on circumstances, individuals and personal choices), and sometimes through a degree of interdependence. However, an exclusive focus on “we are all one” tends to overlook the deeper mystery of the natural and spiritual world: the person, the unique and unrepeatable individuality.
Nature itself teaches us the value of uniqueness. Every tree, every flower, every animal bears its own distinct and singular imprint. The sun and the rain may touch all plants alike, yet each responds in its own way, with its own identity and rhythm of growth. Likewise, each individual has their own will, their own destiny and their own path to walk, their own way of living and creating.
Individual freedom is not merely a fundamental right; it is the expression of the natural and spiritual order of things. The suppression of individuality, even in the name of collective unity, violates the organic harmony we observe throughout nature and has given rise to societies of unhappy and oppressed beings. Moreover, when “we are all one” is turned into an automatic system of collective rules, individual responsibility is lost; the person ceases to bear the weight of their choices, and personal ethics are replaced by social conformity.
In the spiritual realm, the value of the person becomes even more evident. Every soul is unique, with its own light and its own shadows, with its capacities to create and to love whatever it desires and freely chooses to love. Every existence and every soul has its own path and its own mission. Genuine spirituality does not require the eradication of individuality, but rather its understanding, evolution and cultivation.
When we follow our own inner voice and discover our personal truth, we are able to contribute to the world not as impersonal members of a mass, but as unique creators and bearers of meaning. The value of the person, on the other hand, does not signify unrestrained egoism, nor does it imply a lack of empathy; just as freedom is not, and does not mean, licence. On the contrary, it allows for authentic cooperation and connection with other beings, because only that which is done consciously and freely possesses true meaning, value and depth.
Individual freedom and the value of the person do not, in themselves, stand in opposition to any form of cooperation or connection; rather, they strengthen them. Only when each individual walks their own path and expresses their own will does collectivity acquire value and depth. Without freedom, unity becomes hypocritical or, worse still, a coercive demand and a fascist imposition.
The person is the beauty and the fundamental cell of human existence; individual freedom is its oxygen and its supreme value. The will and personal journey of every individual and every being are not merely choices; they are the very expression of life itself. Free will is, moreover, our birthright. Whoever denies the person and the right to free will in the name of a vague and often illusory unity denies the very miracle of life.
Spiritual and natural reality teach us that unity flourishes not through uniformity, but through uniqueness, diversity and freedom, which allow each person to shine with their own light, fulfilling their own personal vision, their desires and the purpose of their own existence—the purpose of their soul.
