Acharya Prashant explains that a person can never be ego-free because the very definition of a person is a mind occupied and dominated by the influences of others. The word personality is derived from this state of being a person, which is essentially a mind filled with concepts and identities supplied by external sources like family, society, and education. In contrast, the individual represents a different way of being where the mind retains its independence and intelligence. While the individual receives information from the world, they do not allow it to dominate them or become a source of identification. This radiant intelligence is self-sufficient and does not become a slave to ideologies or theories. He further clarifies that being ego-free is possible through attention and watchfulness. In a state of total presence and stillness, the ego cannot exist because intelligence is active. However, the ego resists this transition to individuality because individuality signifies the death of the person and its inherent stupidity. The ego thrives on strife, misery, and the constant effort to become something else, whereas individuality brings peace, love, and joy. The ego will use various arguments, such as the need for protection or the fear of suffering, to prevent a person from seeking freedom and intelligence. Finally, Acharya Prashant addresses why the world places so much importance on personality. He asserts that personality is a mask used by those who are inattentive and blind to the essence of others. Because most people cannot see a person's true essence, they rely on external markers like clothing, language, background, and wealth to judge them. An intelligent person, however, possesses the eyes to penetrate these masks and look directly at the essence, remaining unimpressed by the trivialities of appearance and social status.
