Acharya Prashant explains that looking at clouds can create the illusion of seeing a shape, but this illusion is only possible because the sun is behind them. He states that if someone is deluded, under an illusion, or confused, it means that somewhere, truth and consciousness are definitely present. If there were complete darkness, one would not even be able to see a false shape. He likens the cloud to the mind, in which various things arise, and all these things are false and useless, just like the various shapes one might see in the clouds. Therefore, when something false arises in the mind, one should know that it arises only because the truth is present. If the sun were not behind the cloud, there would be no falsehood in the shapes. He further elaborates that the wise have said that behind falsehood, there is always truth. He cites Shri Krishna, who said that even this Maya (illusion) is His. If there were no light, there would be no false shape. Therefore, one should not look at their mistakes and illusions as a great sin. Instead, they should be seen as an indication that the light is nearby. He refers to the English proverb, "Every cloud has a silver lining," explaining that even though a cloud has covered the light, if you look at its edges, you will see a silver lining. This means that behind the falsehood, truth is hidden somewhere, and truth can be found by entering into the falsehood. Just as if you enter the cloud, the sun will start shining, one should not turn away from the falsehoods of life or feel ashamed. One should not consider themselves a sinner or a criminal for making a mistake or living in illusion. Acharya Prashant advises to fearlessly enter into the mistake you have made, get close to it, and ask what it is within you that makes you do such things. The way out of darkness will emerge if you can fearlessly make your way into the darkness. He encourages one to penetrate all their failures, as that is where success lies. He concludes by saying that one learns from nature—the clouds, the moon, the mountains—and from our entire life. To reach the formless (Nirgun), one has to learn from the form (Sagun). Life and nature exist to teach us, and this game continues until we learn.
