Obstinacy hinders Liberation (Gujarati Dadavani March-2000)

Why is it that in spite of doing so much of penance, sacrifice, meditation & prayers we are still unable to attain liberation? It is nothing else but our obstinacy that hinders our liberation. A snake cannot enter his hole if he is is all twisted & curled up. He has to become straight to enter his hole. Similarly, even we humans have to become straight & simple to attain liberation. Only after all obstinacy ends, we can attain the stage of an enlightened being. Obstinacy sprouts from ego. Once we attain Knowledge of Self, spiritual awareness arises & we start realizing our obstinacy. If one stays in spiritual awareness & follows directives of a Gnani Purush then one can see his/her obstinacy & empty it by repenting for it & asking for forgiveness.