We believe that we’re living in a free society with infinite choice and a large measure of control over our existence. But despite all of our rights, privileges, and opportunities, most of us are probably not as free or empowered as we could be.

Our notion of freedom is somewhat naïve, given that in many ways, we remain ignorant, misinformed and gullible. Corporations, politicians, institutions and dishonest individuals take advantage of our tendency toward passivity, denial, and lazy thinking. Many of us are lied to, cheated, manipulated, and exploited more often than we realize.

Too many of us have become emotionally ignorant and apathetic, and in doing so we’ve inadvertently given up our autonomy.

We’ll need to change the way we operate if we no longer want greedy or corrupt people and institutions to have undue influence over our lives. Fortunately, we can develop specific psychological skills as easily as we become physically fit, but with even greater benefits.

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