Acharya Prashant explains that the role or character ('kirdar') one plays is an inevitable part of life. The Self ('Atma'), or the state of emptiness ('shunyata'), has no questions. It is only within the characters we play that conflicts, suffering, and entanglement arise. Even to listen to an answer, one must be in a character. Therefore, the goal is not to escape from playing a role but to choose the right one. At any given moment, a person can embody many different characters, such as an inattentive listener, a frivolous questioner, or a person full of doubt. The art of living lies in consciously choosing the character that leads towards peace for every moment and every opportunity. Using the analogy of a play, Acharya Prashant describes life as a stage with many characters, each representing different tendencies. We, as the audience, have the freedom to choose which character to identify with. Spirituality is not about leaving the theater of life; being born means the ticket is bought, and one must watch the play. Instead, spirituality is about choosing the best character to emulate. One can identify with despicable characters, exciting ones, or even a small, quiet character who brings peace. This principle of choice applies to all roles, such as being a husband, an employee, or a father. Being a husband, for instance, is a mentality, a choice made by the mind, and one can be a hundred different types of husbands. The mind will always choose, so the focus must be on making the right choice. The state of being unconscious upon waking is merely a function of the brain, not a spiritual state. One must live in the world, which entails having relationships. The freedom lies in choosing the kind of relationships to have and the character to be within them. Even renunciation ('tyaag') is a strategic choice made for a higher purpose, not an end in itself, much like a skilled batsman might renounce a single run to retain the strike for a bigger hit later. One cannot escape playing the game of life, but by playing it correctly, one can attain liberation from it. Those who refuse to play at all will remain in the bondage they were born into. The advice is to play the game, but to play it correctly and with awareness.
