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What is meant by human nature? || Acharya Prashant, on Zen (2016)
Acharya Prashant
881 views
9 years ago
Atman
Prakriti
Compassion
Conditioning
Self-preservation
Immortality
Sankhya Yoga
Bhagavad Gita
Description

Acharya Prashant uses the story of a monk and a scorpion to distinguish between two different meanings of the word 'nature'. The first usage refers to physical conditioning and biological tendencies, such as a scorpion's instinct to sting for self-preservation. This type of nature is rooted in the body and genes, focusing on survival and the fear of death. The second usage refers to the essential core of the mind, which is characterized by concept-less compassion and truth. Unlike biological instincts, this real nature is not something one is born with or educated into; it is indestructible and untouched by the world.