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The simple, continuous, ubiquitous call of Truth is easy to miss|| Acharya Prashant on Khalil Gibran
Acharya Prashant
670 views
6 years ago
Truth
Maya
Kabir Saheb
Lust
Attention
Images
Expectations
Choicelessness
Description

Acharya Prashant addresses the misconception that the call of truth is something distant or mystical that one is failing to hear. He explains that people often fail to recognize the truth because they are blinded by fantastic images and expectations of how it should manifest. These images—such as visions, physical sensations, or the sudden disappearance of natural human desires like hunger and lust—are merely mental constructs. When life does not align with these idealized fantasies, individuals conclude that they are not being called or that they are spiritually inferior. He emphasizes that there is nothing in this world that is not the call of truth; it is always present and shouting from within, but it is misinterpreted due to preconceived notions. He further clarifies that the disappointment people feel arises from their own fantasies and the desire for truth to behave according to their demands. He points out the absurdity of comparing one's life to artistic depictions of saints or unrealistic stories of asceticism. The body follows its own laws, and natural physical responses do not indicate a lack of spiritual progress. Acharya Prashant advises that instead of rejecting life or feeling like a sinner when one fails to meet an image of a 'good disciple,' one should simply pay attention to whatever is happening. Whether it is listening to a teacher or experiencing waywardness and lust, the key is to come close to the experience and observe its mechanism without judgment. Ultimately, he explains that life is total and does not respect the boundaries or distinctions created by the human mind. One does not have the power to simply abstain from natural impulses through will alone, as these forces invite the individual rather than being invited. The practice of truth lies in choiceless awareness and paying attention to the reality of one's current state. By observing the 'invitation' of impulses like lust and seeing how the game operates, one hears the same call of truth that is present in moments of silence or teaching. The magic lies in not rejecting any part of life but in paying close attention to the entirety of the happening.