Acharya Prashant explains that the fundamental function of consciousness is the ability to choose. He distinguishes between spiritual choicelessness, where the wrong option disappears for a realized being like a Buddha, and the mechanical choicelessness of a machine. He argues that most people live as slaves to their programming, reacting to situations without real choice, much like water molecules reacting to heat. He emphasizes that only the truth is definite and certain; everything else, including social institutions, economic logic, and religious rituals, should be subject to questioning and choice. He observes that humanity often avoids making significant choices in fundamental matters of life, such as marriage or career, and instead compensates by becoming overly choosy about trivial things like food or clothing. Regarding religion, Acharya Prashant advises separating the core essence from the rituals, traditions, and organized institutions. He suggests that true Hinduism is found in the teachings of Shri Krishna, Ashtavakra, the Upanishads, and Kabir Saheb, rather than in the rubbish of social rituals. He encourages individuals to practice real meditation by questioning whether their daily actions are routine and mechanical or born of real choice. For those who find themselves living like machines, he advises against pretending to be okay. He suggests acknowledging the inherent discomfort and pain of living mechanically, urging individuals to be sensitive to themselves and to allow their dissatisfaction to come to the surface rather than adjusting to the pain.
