Acharya Prashant explains that the perceived lack of concentration is actually a problem of having too many masters. He uses the analogy of a servant in a large family who is constantly interrupted by different orders, preventing him from completing any task. Similarly, individuals have thousands of external masters—people, expectations, and influences—that scatter their energy. He asserts that excellence comes from personal mastery and enjoyment, and it is impossible to excel in something that is not done out of free will or is not enjoyed. He further discusses that depression and sorrow are not natural states but are earned through the hard work of trying to be extraordinary and living according to others' expectations. He points out that animals do not suffer from such psychological issues because they do not live in the past or future. Humans, however, often spend years in a state of waiting—such as waiting for a degree or a job—which leads to deep-seated frustration and a lack of joy in the present moment. To be truly alive, according to Acharya Prashant, is to be intelligent, and intelligence is found in total attention to the present moment. He defines slavery as being influenced or disturbed by others. When someone else can disturb your peace, they become your master. True mastery involves being fully present and acting from one's own understanding rather than being driven by external conditioning or the desire for future results. He concludes that the absence of joy is the essence of sorrow, which stems from living a life dictated by others.