Hi Stefanie and fellows,
First, regard about who is or not actually free people, any people can claim anything.
Freedom of speech.
Hence, I agree with you: no point to argue about this flogged issue.
We are in the same game, living in the same physical world, right?
Therefore, we need only to ask three questions: anyone who claim to be actual free or (1) are living in massive ASC, or (2) are lying or (3) are announcing a fact.
That´s enough.
The crux is peace - not Dharma - overground

One other word. Because human condition is your problem and no one else’s, you are in the best position to find solutions and strategies to freed yourself from this bondage.
A mentor like Richard or someone else can assist, but you are actually in your own hands. Period. And it would be important for you to realize that and take command of your own situation/state/condition/mode.
I don’t recommend that anybody hand themselves over to an "expert" that made frivolous claims and come fresh from some Altered State of Conscience (ASC), and especially someone like you who has specific problems that only you understand the parameters of.
All we need is commom sense.
Regards,
Luciano