Acharya Prashant explains that the very existence of the urge for self-inquiry proves that we are not merely machines driven by external conditioning. While much of the human psyche is formed through external influences, the realization of this fact is the beginning of freedom. He suggests that by being watchful and conscious of how everyday events—like compliments or a sports team's loss—affect our mood, we can see the external layers of our identity. This simple act of observation reveals that our strings are being pulled by the world, and the resulting discomfort with being controlled is what leads to liberation. He clarifies that while psychological freedom is instantaneous upon realization, physical or material changes may take time to manifest. Because physical circumstances are the result of long-standing associations and past actions, they have a residue that does not disappear overnight. For instance, realizing a relationship is controlling does not mean the person will immediately vanish from one's life. However, once the internal realization occurs, the process of material expression and cleaning away the past inevitably begins.