A movie that was playing recently had the dialogue “this is a prison without bars”.
And it immediately reminded me of Hotel California, where “you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave…”!
But such prisons are not uncommon.
Maybe our daily workplaces are one such example. We might despise the boss and the colleagues and can easily walk out, except for the monthly salary which acts like a drug.
Social media platforms can also feel like a prison without bars. We scroll endlessly, craving connection and validation, yet often feel more isolated and trapped in the cycle of comparison and competition.
Our own minds can become a similar prison too, especially for those battling anxiety or depression. Thoughts become a maze we can’t escape, despite the absence of physical restraints.
The real escape? Satsang and scriptures, with the guidance of a Guru.