Acharya Prashant addresses the tension between the desire for greatness and the ego's wish to be special. He explains that the feeling of wanting to be special, to pursue greatness, success, or a conspicuous height, is a conscious pursuit. This is different from the tendency to remain small, general, and average, which is an unconscious, default state. One is born and raised small, and this is the preset mode of operation. Because this state is unconscious, it is not seen or criticized; it feels normal. Conversely, the pursuit of greatness is a conscious, thought-out maneuver that can be criticized. However, this pursuit is often a blind reaction to the adversities faced due to one's inherent smallness and does not lead to real greatness, but rather another form of smallness masquerading as greatness. Acharya Prashant cautions against the school of thought that suggests everything is alright as it is. He argues this is a dangerous and false assumption because if everything were truly alright for a person, they would feel no need to change or seek guidance. The problem lies within the 'I' that seeks a problem; this 'I' and its world are synchronized, so neither will complain against the other. The 'I' that wants to locate the problem might itself be the problem. The only way out of this loop is through companionship and comparison with the 'exalted I'—the great ones—which can be found in books or with a living teacher. This comparison should be an objective, healthy one, not one driven by psychological complexes of superiority or inferiority. The spiritual path is not a clear, pre-laid blueprint. It is an arduous journey of trial and error, and one must be prepared for the apparent wastage of time and the frustration that comes with it. The quest for liberation or truth is an ambitious project that requires a shameless desire to break away, raw power, and unwavering commitment. One must be available to the greats, even with skepticism, to see that an alternative to one's current state is possible. The journey involves semi-blindly moving in a direction, knowing that while the correct choice is not immediately apparent, one can proceed by eliminating what does not work. This entire pursuit belongs to the one who is hard-nosed, thick-skinned, and relentlessly committed.