Acharya Prashant explains that angst and suffering are unique to the human condition of semi-consciousness. He contrasts this with a stone, which is entirely unconscious and thus experiences no pain, and a Buddha, who is fully awake and beyond suffering. Suffering exists only in the intermediate state where one is neither dead to their surroundings nor fully enlightened. This in-between state represents a failure to realize one's full potential for intelligence and awareness. He notes that while most people live in a state of numbness or ignorance, they are often unaware of their own suffering. Citing Kabir Saheb, Acharya Prashant points out that the world appears to be peacefully sleeping and consuming, while the one who begins to wake up starts to weep. He highlights that the Buddha's first noble truth—that the world is full of suffering—was necessary because many people are too numb to recognize their own pain. Therefore, the experience of angst is actually an auspicious sign of awakening and sensitivity. To resolve this angst, one has two choices: to regress into the numbness of a stone or to move upward toward full consciousness. He encourages choosing the path of increased consciousness, advising that while waking up is a necessary stage, one must eventually reach the state of being completely awake.