Acharya Prashant explains that old tendencies and habits are stubborn and difficult to eliminate, often likened to a chronic disease. He notes that while a change of environment can help, it can also delude a person into believing they have achieved total transformation, only for familiar reactions to return when old situations resurface. He advises that one must constantly apply themselves with unshakeable faith, which manifests as both avoiding environments that exacerbate weaknesses and praying when such situations are unavoidable. He warns that the ego often fattens itself by imagining it has conquered itself, leading to hurt when one realizes the old tendencies are still present. Because the enemy resides within and is more powerful than the individual, Acharya Prashant emphasizes the necessity of continuous vigilance, constant awareness, and remaining suspicious of one's own victories. He concludes that when one is inevitably deceived or beaten by these tendencies despite alertness, the only recourse is to remain humble, bow one's head, and pray.
