Modern times have seen a surge in New Age and New Thought philosophies, which encourage limitless individualism and the belief that we are our own gods through ideas such as pantheism. These ideas are appealing as they cater to our desire for independence. However, they might be guiding us down a risky path.

Life is not just about unrestricted freedom or considering ourselves as divine entities. It's about a special kind of limited freedom that recognizes the existence of a higher power and a universal structure that guides us. This structure helps us achieve real freedom.

Consider the freedom of children. They explore, learn, and make mistakes under their parents' care, protected and safe. Even though their actions are regulated, they are focused on their overall good - their growth and development. They are guided by a will larger than their own.

Contrast this with a scenario where every chaotic or contradictory thought materializes. If New Age ideas about manifesting our desires were allowed to run wild, the world would become a chaotic mess, reflecting our disordered thoughts. Our desires change, and what we want today may not be what we want tomorrow. Fulfilling every whim could lead to our own downfall.

New Age teachings often urge us to see ourselves as the most powerful force in our lives. But in seeking such power, we risk missing out on the divine. Seeing ourselves as godlike could lead to spiritual arrogance and isolation, which could result in a permanent separation from a higher power, as we no longer are able to recognize any power outside ourselves, thereby becoming unlimited, chaotic, lost.

In seeing ourselves as gods, we shut ourselves off from divine interactions and mistake our own actions for divine intervention. This is a key issue with New Age self-worship; in the pursuit of ultimate power, we might lose touch with the divine reality we seek.

Thinking of ourselves as all-powerful can be a dangerous belief. Real divinity might involve recognizing and respecting a higher power, understanding that true freedom only exists within limits.

Limits don't restrict us if they are properly implemented, such as is the case with a loving parents guidance; they give us a structure to use our freedom in a meaningful way. They remind us of our place in the vast and complex universe.

Accepting a higher power doesn't take away our individuality. It helps us use our energy in a positive way, understanding our limits and working within them to reach our potential. The power of a river is not in its uncontrolled state but in its ability to shape landscapes within its boundaries.

As we go through life, we should remember the importance of personal will, but also recognize a higher power. Balancing personal and higher will might be the key to understanding freedom and finding our place in the universe.

This could also help us see that the New Age idea of absolute freedom is an illusion that might lead us off course.