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The one thing women (especially) should avoid || Acharya Prashant, at St. Xavier's, Mumbai (2022)
Acharya Prashant
14.8K views
2 years ago
Emotionality
Reactiveness
Communication
Ego
Suppression
Wisdom Literature
Detachment
Prakriti
Description

Acharya Prashant addresses the dilemma of a student who feels hurt by her parents' scolding but fears that talking back will cause further pain or lead to emotional suppression. He explains that while one must engage in conversation and not remain silent, this engagement should not stem from an emotional or reactive center. He notes that the traditional Indian culture of authority and silence often leads to a lack of mutual engagement, which eventually results in disrespectful behavior or emotional explosions. He advises that reacting in the heat of the moment is counterproductive because the mind, driven by ego, tends to magnify hurtful words and ignore years of positive relationships. Acharya Prashant emphasizes the importance of choosing the right time and place to respond, drawing an analogy to military strategy where one does not engage the enemy when weak or under ambush. He suggests that a true teacher or communicator waits for the right conditions and for the listener to be receptive before speaking. He highlights that during heated arguments, neither party is truly listening, and internal filters often distort the message. He further explains that emotionality and reactiveness can be significant handicaps, particularly for women due to biological and social conditioning. He encourages understanding emotions through detachment rather than suppression, warning that internal forces like insecurity and fear can be as damaging as external societal pressures. Ultimately, he advocates for a centered mind through the study of wisdom literature to navigate life's conflicts without falling into emotional trauma.