Acharya Prashant explains that human desires, whether directed toward worldly objects or spiritual liberation, originate from the same source: the 'I' or the ego. He interprets Lao Tzu's teachings to show that the attraction toward the 'manifested' (nature/world) and the 'mystery' (the unknown/soul) are two sides of the same coin. The ego constantly seeks fulfillment and an end to its inherent tension. However, seeking peace in worldly objects is futile because these objects are temporary, and the fear of losing them creates even greater anxiety. He uses the analogy of sleeping pills to illustrate how the very thing meant to remove stress becomes a new source of stress.
