How to Stay Loving in a Loveless World
Questioner: You already signed my book at ESIC Hospital. I usually generally don't like human beings. I have no idea. So, is it a reflection of my state?
Acharya Prashant: That might also be a reflection of what humanity has become. But when you do not like human beings, you must also remember that they do carry the potential to be lovable. Not just the potential to be loved, but the potential to be lovable. Beyond likable, lovable. So, along with not liking humanity, also comes the responsibility to maybe help them become lovable, to whatever extent one can.
Questioner: I just wanted to ask one more thing. Is it possible for you to interact with young adults at regular intervals? Like, I'm talking as a mother.
Acharya Prashant: How young?
Questioner: Between 17 to 22.
Acharya Prashant: Very regularly.
Questioner:I know that in sessions you do, but what about people who don't attend the sessions, who are not in the regular Gita classes but have some questions?
Acharya Prashant: Institute questions, open sessions every month, visiting various kinds of institutions. Almost every month there are open sessions. Even if I visit institutions, most of those visits remain open to everybody who can come and attend.
Questioner: I was just wondering how to make them, other than watching videos, ask some personal questions.
Acharya Prashant: Yes, they can. I try to make myself available face to face. Sessions are already there 15 days a month. The remaining 15 days, 5 to 7 times, I am out for the general public. In that sense, I think that availability is there. The schedule is there on the website, so fairly accessible.
Questioner: Just one last question. After knowing, like you always emphasize on knowing and understanding, is knowing and realization the same?
Acharya Prashant: If one were to split hairs, one could say this is this, this is this, this ends here, and then that happens, but much the same.
Questioner: After hearing *Śūnyatā Saptati, Ashtavakra Gītā, it felt like, oh my God, this is like.
Acharya Prashant: Too many terms are not needed, and if there are many terms, they'll all mean the same.
Questioner: Yes, absolutely. I also wonder how the same truth you take is in different ways, and the examples are never repeated. I sometimes wonder, how come you have such clarity? It's amazing, and I am so grateful.
Acharya Prashant: Do you know what clarity means? Nothing of one's own. That's what is meant by being clear. Just as when we say that the table is clear, this means the table has nothing. That means there is complete freedom for anything to flow, which means examples or insights can come from anywhere and anytime. So that is clarity. Clarity basically means being empty.
Questioner: But how come we don't? I mean what's the difference?
Acharya Prashant: I enjoy traveling light. I don't carry that.
Questioner: I think that's the thing.
Acharya Prashant: You too will enjoy it. It's a matter of taste. Once you taste it a bit, you relish it.
Questioner: Thank you so much.
