Acharya Prashant explains that tendencies can only be understood when they manifest as actions. These tendencies are deeply hidden within the mind's recesses and only become visible through one's behavior from morning to evening. A significant conflict often arises between a person's conscious intention, which is usually moralistic and seeks peace, and their underlying tendencies, which may cause disturbance. Because facing these tendencies can feel humiliating and make one feel like a hypocrite, people often fail to see them even when they are obvious. He notes that intentions are conscious and thought-based, whereas tendencies do not follow morality. For instance, someone might claim their intention is to listen, yet their physical state—such as feeling sleepy or resistant—reveals a deeper tendency that opposes that intention. He emphasizes that intentions are often false or merely verbal claims. Once a tendency is recognized and acknowledged without the cover of lies, its momentum naturally decreases. While superficial actions may stem from thoughts, larger patterns of behavior are driven by these deep-seated tendencies. Acharya Prashant highlights that in the majority of cases, thoughts and tendencies appear contradictory. People often maintain a good person image to avoid seeing their darker impulses. He asserts that actions speak louder than words; what a person actually does is a true reflection of their desire, regardless of what they claim to want. To truly understand oneself, one must stop trying to maintain a positive self-image and instead honestly observe their actual conduct. True change begins when one catches themselves red-handed and accepts the reality of their nature.
