If realisation of our true Brahman nature is the goal of all life, then liberation must be the process or act which gives us this realisation.
On the one hand, yogas chitta vritti nirodha. This saadhana of yoga is supposed to take us to liberation. On the other hand, liberation itself, being an act or process, is a vritti in the chitta.
It is said that liberation is the way to escape the cycle of birth and death, the cycle of sorrow (dukkha, as the Buddha calls it). I have come to the point where I do not know anything beyond this cycle of birth and death, anything beyond Ma. We are all in Ma’s lap. I feel that liberation is the realisation which allows us to remain endlessly and happily in this cycle of birth and death, allows us to be in this universe of joys and sorrows, just be.
There is a clear feeling that I have nowhere to go, no one to be, and nothing to do. At this time, the only rules which seem to make sense are the rules of yama and niyama from the Yogasutras. Those were supposed to be the most basic measures for a sensible life. My master helped me distil them to a small set: (a) be humble , (b) be kind, and (c) be honest. It now seems to me that these are necessary and sufficient.
I have absolutely no idea if I am liberated or self-realised. It does not appear to matter. And I wouldn’t know how to go about finding out anyway.
There is a sparrow on the window-sill.