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Spirituality is the ability to live without escaping || Acharya Prashant (2016)
Acharya Prashant
5.8K views
8 years ago
Meditation
Spirituality
Maya
Shri Krishna
Shri Shiva
Life Situations
Social Order
Ignorance
Description

Acharya Prashant explains that meditation is not about escaping life or sitting in seclusion for years. He criticizes the idea of saints who meditate in caves or ashrams while being unable to handle basic life situations, such as changing a flat tire or earning a living. He asserts that true spirituality is the ability to live in the world without escaping it, and that symbols like Shri Shiva and Kailash represent inner realities rather than physical entities. He emphasizes that there is no point in meditation if one does not know how to respond to life's practical challenges, such as money, jobs, and relationships. The discussion shifts to the nature of ignorance and capability, where Acharya Prashant suggests that admitting one does not know how to live is a sign of having already figured something out. He defines stupidity as being capable yet acting as if one is ignorant. He also addresses the concept of Maya, stating that it is not just a word but is present in one's daily actions, decisions, and livelihood. He challenges the notion of a 'natural' death or life, noting that modern industrial setups both provide the means to prolong life artificially and create the very illnesses that necessitate such measures. Finally, Acharya Prashant discusses Shri Krishna as an example of how to live. He describes Shri Krishna as a man of the world who was deeply involved in worldly matters—loving, fighting, and playing the flute—yet remained free from social patterns and orders. He highlights that Shri Krishna did not run away to meditate but faced life with certainty and calmness, even in the middle of a battle. He encourages emulating this fullness of life rather than seeking to escape through secluded meditation.