24. The Nature of Freedom or Liberation

Some say that being bereft of feeling and movement, like a stone, is liberation. Some think that being one with the ocean as the drop, is liberation. Others say that flame uniting with flame is liberation. Some believe that one who ascends high is liberated. But none of these is true. Mental attachment is bondage, and detachment is liberation. It is also called sacrifice or renunciation. Renunciation and detachment can also be called liberation. The following is the difference between these two which is also found in a saint, and in one who has renounced every thing. Those who see attachment in detachment and detachment in attach­ment are called saints. Such is their liberation. Their system goes beyond the levels of non-attachment and attachment i.e. the levels of attachment and detach­ment, and reaches pure existence. This is the positive way. He who renounces everything is a detached person. He goes beyond the levels of total detachment towards attachment and this is the way of 'Not this, Not this' — Neti, Neti. The desired goal and ideal of both is one and the same. One is quite clear about it whereas the other is devoid of clear vision. But even that is not total negation. How can there be the negation of negation? It appears to be mere jugglery of meaningless words. Internally he also aims at attach­ment, and there is no other go but to accept this attach­ment. Negation or Renunciation is the way of pure knowledge, and attachment is the way of love and devo­tion, which is purely positive.