Acharya Prashant emphasizes that the common understanding of nature is superficial and often used as an escape rather than a means for genuine transformation. He argues that simply visiting hill stations or jungles does not lead to liberation, as evidenced by the high levels of superstition and animal slaughter in those regions. He points out the hypocrisy of tourists who seek peace in nature while simultaneously destroying it through pollution and consumption. True nature, he explains, is not limited to non-human environments; cities, buildings, and even human interactions are part of nature. He suggests that instead of seeking geographical changes, one must understand their own internal nature and the center from which their actions arise. Without self-knowledge, human contact with the world inevitably leads to destruction and violence. Addressing the role of education, Acharya Prashant suggests that children should be initiated into inquiry about their immediate surroundings, such as the source of their food or the impact of their lifestyle on local ecosystems, rather than just being taken on fancy trips. He explains that human beings are unique because they possess a deep psychological or spiritual need for fulfillment that cannot be satisfied by material accumulation alone. While material security is necessary to a point, exceeding that threshold often leads to decreased internal welfare and environmental crises like climate change. He concludes that humanity must find a higher plane of happiness and contentment that does not rely on wrecking the planet, advocating for a life centered on meaningful work, learning, and conscious inquiry.
