Acharya Prashant addresses the question of why the ego doesn't drop its suffering. He begins by questioning who is actually suffering, explaining that it is the ego itself. The ego is the problem, so it cannot drop itself. He uses the analogy of holding a burning piece of coal in one's hand. A person drops it not out of any great benevolence for the world, but because their own hand is burning. The reason for letting go of suffering is the personal pain it causes. He points out that people are holding onto this burning coal and are getting burned, yet they persist. This isn't due to a lack of information but a lack of deep understanding. Everyone knows what their personal 'burning coal' is, and yet they hold onto it. This is the story of everyone; they carry the instruments of their own destruction. The speaker states that the solution lies in changing the mind's disposition (bhāv). The mind has a deeply ingrained feeling that life is inherently suffering and that it's impossible to drop the coal. This belief in the impossibility of a life free from suffering prevents one from seizing opportunities for freedom. When moments of peace or clarity arise, people dismiss them as temporary or unreal, believing that suffering is the only true reality. He criticizes the sentiment that spiritual retreats are like a "four-day moonlit night, followed by a dark night," which implies that suffering is the permanent state. This mindset shows that one has already accepted defeat, believing that suffering is essential. The speaker concludes that the mind has already decided that suffering is essential, and excuses like responsibilities are just that—excuses. The real issue is the deeply held belief that one is defeated and that suffering is an unavoidable part of life.