Acharya Prashant explains that self-help books generally aim to help the self without investigating its true nature. These books often treat the self as a sacred, unchangeable entity and focus on removing obstacles to its gratification. They rarely question the origin of desires or the identity of the one who desires. Because people prefer false security and comfort over the unsettling exploration of truth, they gravitate toward these books. The speaker clarifies that the 'self' in self-help refers to the ego, which is inherently helpless and seeks support. While self-help books often inflate the ego to become bestsellers, true help for the ego lies in its dissolution through the recognition of its own falseness. In contrast, Vedanta and spirituality involve a rigorous inquiry into the 'I' to dissolve it. Spirituality questions the validity of one's desires and identity, whereas self-help focuses on fulfilling desires to alleviate sadness. Acharya Prashant argues that self-help should more accurately be called self-gratification, similar to seeking pleasure through money, power, or entertainment. He concludes that while self-help is attractive and pleasing, it is not beneficial because it does not address the root of suffering. Vedanta is presented as the path to freedom from the sufferings of the self through deep self-inquiry.