Acharya Prashant explains that seriousness is not a natural state but a burden imposed by internalizing the opinions of the world. He suggests practicing a "loving neglect" toward the world, treating its demands with the gentle dismissal one might give a child. When the mind is in chaos and cannot distinguish between the voice of the soul and external influences, it is best to ignore internal voices and seek guidance from an external source that represents the truth. He emphasizes that one should not waste intellectual effort trying to define the "Truth" or the "Self," as these are beyond the grasp of the mind. Instead, one should focus entirely on identifying and discarding everything that is false, fake, or borrowed. He further clarifies that an identity crisis occurs not because the truth is unknown, but because some false identities are still being held. In the internal journey, perfection is the default state, unlike the external world where one starts from zero. Spiritual progress is characterized by a heightened awareness of one's own lies and weaknesses. Even if a person continues to make mistakes, the realization that they are mistakes, rather than successes, signifies growth. Acharya Prashant concludes by advising disciples to honor their own words and the high states of consciousness they experience in the presence of the Guru. One must maintain the same level of integrity and awareness in the Guru's physical absence as they do in his presence, treating the Guru's teachings as a continuous, unbroken flow.
