A questioner shares her experience of feeling disconnected from her family and friends after being introduced to Acharya Prashant's teachings. While she has changed, her loved ones remain engrossed in daily frustrations, and she finds it difficult to have deeper conversations with them. She feels pity that they are missing the opportunity to elevate their consciousness. Acharya Prashant responds by explaining that an individual has no control over the era, circumstances of birth, or environment they are born into. We are born into a world where falsehood, darkness, and impurities are prevalent, and we cannot complain about it. He states that when one's inner lamp begins to flicker amidst this darkness, a feeling of loneliness is natural. Just as darkness finds harmony with more darkness, a single lamp feels desolate. This may seem like an injustice, but it is the reality of the situation. To counter this loneliness and to keep one's own lamp lit, Acharya Prashant emphasizes the importance of creating a community (Sangha). A lone lamp is more susceptible to being extinguished by its own weaknesses or the surrounding darkness. He points out that this is why a Buddha has to create a Sangha, and taking refuge in the Sangha is as crucial as taking refuge in the Buddha. Without a community, the path to enlightenment itself faces obstacles, as loneliness is a great affliction that can make even the light surrender to darkness. Sharing the light is described as an act of both compassion for others and love for oneself, as it strengthens one's own flame. However, people are often afraid to share the truth because it is considered dangerous. He notes that many of his followers hide the fact that they listen to him, treating it like a secret. He clarifies that truth is not anyone's personal property; light is light, and understanding is understanding. It is impersonal. He concludes that if one does not share the truth, they will continue to be surrounded by people who only speak of falsehoods. The responsibility to light new lamps rests with those who have found the light. If they do not, a few lone lamps cannot achieve much. Sharing the truth is not about promoting a person but about doing what is right, what is Dharma, and what is rooted in love.
