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Awakening begins with suffering || Acharya Prashant, with youth (2013)
Acharya Prashant
5.7K views
13 years ago
Suffering
Consciousness
Sensitivity
Buddha
Kabir Saheb
Emotion
Thought
Intelligence
Description

Acharya Prashant addresses the common perception that good people suffer more than others. He explains that human existence occurs in three states: the lowest state of deep insensitivity, similar to a stone; an intermediate state of awakening where one begins to feel pain; and the highest state of an awakened, intelligent human being. He argues that most people are so deeply unconscious that they do not even realize they are suffering, comparing their state to a limb that has gone numb under anesthesia. Therefore, what is perceived as the suffering of a 'good' or intelligent person is actually a sign of their growing sensitivity and vitality. He references the Buddha's first Noble Truth—that the world is full of suffering—and Kabir Saheb's observation that while the world sleeps in ignorance, the awakened one cries because they have become conscious of the reality of suffering. He further explains that emotions are merely the physical effects of thoughts on the body and are triggered by external stimuli. Because thoughts and emotions are borrowed from external sources like society, religion, and media, they become tools for exploitation. He asserts that a person becomes a slave to others when their self-esteem and identity depend on external recognition. To avoid being hurt or exploited, one must recognize that others can only take away what they have given. Acharya Prashant advises that instead of reacting to those who try to cause harm, one should maintain a distance and observe the situation with intelligence. By not allowing oneself to be provoked or dependent on external validation, one can live freely and potentially help others who are acting out of ignorance or 'madness'.