A questioner explains that after watching Acharya Prashant's videos, he practiced celibacy (Brahmacharya), which he defines as not masturbating. He felt a 'high' from learning about the Upanishads and Advaita, believing there was nothing more to know. However, after getting bored, he started masturbating again. He feels he only has an interest (ruchi) in spirituality, not a true longing for liberation (mumukshu), and asks what he should do. Acharya Prashant responds by using an analogy. He says if a blindfolded person in a jungle has their blindfold removed and can see the sun, they would not ask, 'What should I do now?' This, he explains, is what the process of 'Neti Neti' (not this, not this) doesâit removes the blindfolds. Once one can see, asking what to do is an insult to the newfound sight. Vedanta, he states, is for strong, real people who do not like to be told what to do. He uses the term 'real men' but clarifies it refers to 'Purush' (pure consciousness), which is potentially present in both men and women. Addressing the issue of masturbation, Acharya Prashant states it is not a big deal. The focus on such 'cheap thrills' arises from the absence of the 'big thing,' which is love. The question should not be about the presence of the small but the absence of the big. He defines love as the fight against the things that keep one away from the ultimate. This fight is worthwhile, and when one is fully engaged in it, small things stop mattering. He clarifies that this doesn't mean biological urges will cease entirely, as one has a 'monkey's body,' but one will stop caring so much about them. When masturbation is no longer considered important, one often stops caring to do it. He warns, however, that his words should not be taken as a license for sexual excess. For someone who lacks love, Acharya Prashant suggests they should suffer. He advises them to go to people who know love and 'burn in jealousy' to see what they are missing. He acknowledges this answer sounds ridiculous but presents it as the path for someone in the questioner's position.
