Acharya Prashant responds to a question about how to connect the ego with higher things and avoid falling back into old, harmful patterns. He explains that the way forward is by being honest with one's own experience. We often do not know what to connect with, and in our initial attempts, we are likely to attach to something worthless. The sign that we have attached to something worthless is that the state of suffering we were trying to escape from only becomes worse. He illustrates this with the example of a thirsty person who, not knowing what quenches thirst, drinks salt water. It might feel good for a moment, but soon the thirst intensifies. This experience is the only guide needed. One must remember their actions and their consequences. No external knowledge is required beyond being honest with one's own experiences. A sage or guru does not impart new knowledge; they simply remove the extra, unnecessary knowledge that clouds what we already know through our own life. The spiritual journey itself begins with the ordinary experience of suffering. Acharya Prashant states that the ego, while seemingly self-centered, is its own greatest enemy. It hates itself, which is why it fails to learn from its experiences and repeatedly makes the same mistakes. A person who truly loves themselves would not repeat actions that bring them pain. The fundamental issue is not the complexity of life but the lack of a genuine desire or will to change. If the intention to change is sincere, a way will be found. The right thing must be done, regardless of circumstances or excuses. One must not wait for an opportunity to shirk responsibility.