What Does Liberation Really Mean? Freedom from Ego, Not from Rebirth

Question:

If one becomes established in Self-knowledge, will that bring liberation from the cycle of birth and death?
Will we be freed from coming and going?
Why should we even stay in Self-knowledge?
Why are we moving toward spirituality at all?

Answer:

We are not turning toward spirituality in order to be freed from the cycle of birth and death. The purpose of recognizing our true nature and walking the spiritual path is not to avoid rebirth. Because if we stop taking birth altogether—if we no longer have a body—then what benefit would this knowledge bring? When we aren’t even here, how will we use it?

The real benefit of Self-knowledge, of recognizing and remaining in our true Self, is while we are living—in our present life. Today, we face difficulties, pain, and changing circumstances. Sometimes life is pleasant, sometimes it’s full of suffering. Pleasant situations are fine—we remain steady then. But when unpleasant or painful circumstances come, we get disturbed.

Why do these difficult situations keep coming?
Because all the actions—good and bad—that we’ve performed over many lifetimes are stored within us. They haven’t disappeared. According to the law of karma, the results of our past actions must be experienced by us, not by anyone else. If I’ve done wrong, I must bear the result myself. That result can bring happiness or sorrow. And when sorrow comes, I feel troubled.

So why do we walk this path of Self-knowledge? Not to escape circumstances, but to learn how to face them easily and peacefully in this very life. Spirituality is not for some future birth—it is for today. The purpose of Self-awareness is to help us deal with whatever situations arise in the present—pleasant or unpleasant—without losing peace.

The Ramayana gives a simple way to understand this. It begins by showing that Rama (the Self) has already come—but sorrow still exists. Even after realization, challenges remain. Rama immediately goes to the forest—that means: once we awaken to the Self, we must still face and remove the inner demons we ourselves have created. Only by becoming “Rama”—living as the Self—can we destroy them.

When we live in Self-awareness, two things happen:

1. We recognize our inner virtues.
   The sages’ ashrams in the Ramayana represent our good qualities. When we live in the Self, the mind becomes our friend. The mind that once caused trouble now helps us. Our own mind creates both bondage and freedom.
   
   Liberation (mukti) does not mean freedom from birth and death. It means freedom from our own inner vices—lust, anger, greed, attachment, jealousy, pride, competition, gossip—and above all, ego. These are what truly bind us, and only Self-knowledge can release us from them.
   
   

2. We realize our own creative power.
   When I know who I am, I understand that I am a conscious being. I am the one who creates my thoughts. The body is inert; the mind itself is inert. Only when consciousness flows through the mind does it become active.
   Once I realize this, I stop blaming others.
   If someone insults me, I can choose to react angrily or remain peaceful. The choice is mine because I am the creator of my own thoughts. That’s the power that comes with Self-awareness.
   
   

Then comes another realization: I already have great inner wealth.
Every soul has its own treasures — peace, purity, knowledge, love, joy, bliss, and happiness. These seven qualities are my natural inheritance. But because I didn’t know that I am the soul, I never used them. I kept thinking that my money, property, or possessions were my wealth — but my real wealth is inner.

It’s like having a million dollars in the bank but never knowing it’s there. If I don’t know, I can’t use it. Similarly, all these divine qualities are stored in the “bank of the soul.” The moment I realize “I am the soul,” I start using this wealth.

If someone becomes angry with me, I remember — peace is my nature. If someone hurts me or takes away my possessions, I remind myself — happiness is within me, not dependent on outside things. The pain immediately lessens when I recall my true nature.

Then a question arises: if all these qualities are already within, why don’t I experience them naturally?
The scriptures say that we experience them only when the mind is pure and calm.
Just like a mirror: if it’s clean, it reflects clearly; if it’s dusty, the reflection is dull. The soul’s qualities are reflected in the mirror of the mind. If the mind is impure, the reflection is unclear. But when we purify our mind—by keeping good feelings toward all—those qualities begin to appear in experience.

And how do we purify the mind?
By staying aware of the Self. When I know “I am a soul,” I also recognize that everyone else is a soul—equal and alike. This brings a feeling of oneness and equality. When I think I am the body, I see difference and separation; when I know I am the soul, I feel unity. That unity itself purifies the mind.

When the mind is pure, the mirror becomes clear, and the inner peace, love, and joy naturally reflect within us.

That’s why the scriptures say: reflect, contemplate, and meditate again and again.
Through constant reflection and remembrance, these truths begin to sink into life and become real.

So, why do we pursue Self-knowledge?
Not to escape the cycle of rebirth, but to make this very life peaceful, beautiful, and joyful.
Spirituality is meant for today, not for the next birth.
Whoever wishes to make their present life free from sorrow and full of contentment — this is their path.
The one whose eyes are fixed only on the next life cannot walk it.
But whoever wants to live this life well, no matter how many years are left, will find that this is the only way.

So the answer is this:
Liberation doesn’t mean freedom from birth and death — it means freedom from our own vices and ego.