Acharya Prashant explains the fundamental difference between being in a 'relationship' and the act of 'relating'. He compares the mind to a mirror that should ideally reflect reality as it is. However, when the mind holds onto past experiences, injuries, or prejudices, it becomes like a cracked or dirty mirror, or even a static painting. This 'past' prevents us from truly seeing the person or situation in front of us. Consequently, our subsequent meetings with people are not new encounters but merely extensions or versions of the first meeting, clouded by accumulated memories and tendencies. This state of being filled with the past and mental images is what he defines as being in a 'relationship', which lacks freshness and truth. In contrast, 'relating' is a state of being like a clean mirrorтАФempty, light, and fearless. A mirror does not prepare for what is coming; it simply reflects whatever appears, whether it is a lion or a mouse. Acharya Prashant emphasizes that while physical wounds may take time to heal, mental wounds only persist because the ego chooses to hold onto them for identity or pleasure. He points out that people often find a perverse joy in grievances, criticism, and being a 'victim', which prevents healthy connections. To truly relate, one must have a healthy mind that refuses to store injuries or seek 'juice' from past pain. A healthy relationship is only possible when the mind is free from the burden of the past and remains silent and equanimous, whether in solitude or in a crowd.
