Acharya Prashant explains that the Rajasik (passionate/active) mind is better than the Tamasik (ignorant/inert) mind because it acknowledges its own state of being unwell. The Rajasik mind says, "I'm not alright. I need to do something to become better." It feels inferior and incomplete, and therefore has a drive to rise and achieve. The Rajasik mind at least admits that it is not alright and needs to change and improve, even if it tries to do so in an unwise and foolish way. The admission itself is a positive step. In contrast, the Tamasik mind is a tough nut to crack because it insists, "I'm alright." When confronted with its unhappiness, it will claim to be joyful. It derives a perverse pleasure from its own suffering, saying things like, "In that is my pleasure." This mindset will rationalize its misery, claiming to love wailing, yelling, and crying, asserting that tears give it a high. In its own eyes, the Tamasik person becomes a philosopher, especially when intoxicated, justifying their condition by saying, "I'm alright as I am." For the Tamasik mind, it is a matter of survival to not care about or inquire into the results of its actions. The day it starts inquiring into the results, it will be forced to change. The ultimate fantasy of the Tamasik mind is to do whatever it wants and not have to bear the consequences. Therefore, the speaker deeply opposes the neo-pop spiritual culture of "living in the present." He clarifies that not caring for results is only appropriate for a Satvik (pure/harmonious) mind or for one who has transcended the ego. For a Rajasik or Tamasik person, which constitutes the vast majority of people, it is necessary to be very conscious of the future and the results of one's actions. The speaker points out that the saints constantly reminded us to think of the results of our actions and to think of death. Since death is in the future, this contradicts the pop-spirituality trend of ignoring the future. The saints knew they were speaking to Rajasik and Tamasik minds, which need to be cautioned that the bill for their actions will eventually need to be paid with due interest.
