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काम अच्छी नीयत से करता हूं, पर अंजाम बुरा आता है (आपके साथ भी ऐसा होता है?) || आचार्य प्रशांत (2024)
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1 year ago
Good Intentions
Awareness
Self-Knowledge
Emotions
Witness Consciousness
Family Relationships
Love
Hitler
Description

Acharya Prashant explains that in their own eyes, every person is right in some way or another. He cites the example of Hitler, who killed 6 million Jews but believed he was serving the German nation. In his own view, he was not just a good man but a great man. This illustrates that intentions are not what truly matter. He states that people who die from quarrels and stress with neighbors and strangers are very few compared to those who die from the stress and conflicts received from their own homes and families. Responding to a question about a quote from Jurassic Park, "Some of the worst things imaginable would be done with the best of intentions," Acharya Prashant provides the classical version: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." He argues that intentions don't mean a thing; what matters is awareness, knowledge, consciousness, and understanding. Everyone wants to be well-meaning in their own eyes and will justify their actions by claiming their intentions were not bad. We only think to the extent that it doesn't cause us discomfort; if someone asks us to think further, we say, "Don't confuse my mind." He points out the contradiction that while the mother-child relationship is considered the most sacred and filled with good intentions, children worldwide are often ruined under this influence. This is because love, without awareness, is often expressed through harmful actions, like serving unhealthy, oily food. He humorously notes that when someone feels a lot of love, they serve oily jackfruit pickle, and when they are very happy, they make fried bread (puri), both of which are harmful. He mentions that India is the "heart attack capital of the world," not because of fights with neighbors, but because of the stress and unhealthy food given by loved ones. Acharya Prashant concludes by explaining that emotions are not a virtue; they are the lowest level of being. Above emotion is thought, and above thought is the witness (sakshi). One must become a witness to their emotions, which are like waves that rise and fall. He warns against being swayed by emotions and good intentions, emphasizing that the only thing of real value is self-knowledge (atmagyan).