Acharya Prashant addresses the pervasive influence of society on individual actions, noting that almost every human activity is stamped with the influence of others. He explains that the 'other'âwhether in the form of people, places, or thoughtsâwill always be present, and the central question is one's relationship to this presence. Currently, most people live as puppets or slaves to others, deriving their sense of self from external validation. This creates a cycle where everyone is both a slave and a master, attempting to dominate and exploit one another in a mutual pact of oppression. This dynamic is evident in relationships between spouses, parents and children, and even students and their books, where actions are driven by fear or the desire for external rewards like marks and reputation. Acharya Prashant proposes that the only alternative to this cycle of exploitation is a relationship based on love. Love is not possible between two slaves; it requires being fully present and absorbed in an activity for its own sake, rather than for external approval. He highlights that parents often inadvertently enslave their children by teaching them that their worth depends on reputation and obedience, which only the parents or society can grant. While parents may have good intentions, Acharya Prashant emphasizes that intentions without awareness can lead to harm. He concludes that to truly help others or improve society, one must first become aware and 'wake up' individually, as a sleeping person cannot wake others.
