Acharya Prashant explains that humans often strive to prove themselves not just to the world, but to their own egos. He asserts that the 'I' or the self that seeks validation through achievements is external and not the true self. The true self, or the Soul, is neither a doer nor an enjoyer and does not require any success or external validation. He critiques the common notion of doing things 'for oneself,' stating that the true self needs nothing, and those who claim to act for themselves are often more deluded than those acting for the world. He emphasizes that any action rooted in a sense of inner emptiness or a desire to reach a destination is bound to fail because the beginning and the end of any journey are the same. Addressing a question about feeling disconnected from one's work, Acharya Prashant points out that the issue lies in the state of mind before the work begins. He uses the example of a child painting freely to illustrate that when one acts out of inner joy rather than a need to fill a void, the result is naturally complete. He warns against spiritual practices or advice that suggest one must 'reach' a state of perfection, as the very attempt to reach somewhere implies an acceptance of being distant from the truth. He concludes by urging individuals to focus on the 'source' and the 'state of mind' behind their actions rather than the actions themselves. He quotes Shri Ramakrishna to illustrate that even high-reaching actions are worthless if the mind remains fixated on lowly, worldly desires.
