Acharya Prashant explains that loneliness is a misnomer because a lonely person is never truly alone; they are always in the company of their own thoughts, self-image, and consciousness. This state is characterized by a mind crowded with fears, desires, and a dualistic perception of the world in relation to the 'I'. The lonely person is acutely bound to their ego, viewing everything through the lens of self-interest and personal concern. In contrast, being 'alone' means being free from the self-image and becoming available to reality as it is. The one who is alone is not self-centered and thus becomes available to the absolute, which Acharya Prashant identifies as God or a vast nothingness. This state of aloneness allows for true presence and enjoyment, as the individual is no longer driven by the need to protect a limited and fearful identity. The discourse further explores the relationship between the absolute and completeness. Acharya Prashant asserts that God is the only complete entity, and living without this absolute leads to a life of constant change, contradiction, and insecurity. He emphasizes that true devotion is the surrender of the right to withdraw that devotion, a quality missing in the lonely person who trusts only their own ego. He also discusses the nature of relationships, suggesting that instead of exploiting others to fulfill personal needs, one should act as a 'parent' to help the other grow and become free. This parental role is described as a godly act of helping the truth express itself in another. Ultimately, he concludes that rituals and ceremonies are hollow unless they lead to genuine growth and a godly life, as the absolute desires for the individual to become one with it.
