Acharya Prashant responds to a question about dealing with bipolar disorder. He begins by suggesting that the symptoms described by the questioner—such as having bifurcated views, losing the will to do things, or feeling on top of the world—are not unique but are fundamentally present in almost everybody, although the degree might vary. He explains that this inconsistency of views, instability of opinions, fluctuating identities, and swinging perceptions of the self constitute the basic nature of the mind. He elaborates that the mind inherently lives in and knows only dualities, which he refers to as "poles." When one is at one pole, they are naturally attracted to the other. There is always something else beckoning, an alternative to pursue, an error to correct, or a constant need to change and become something or someone else. This is the fundamental constitution of the mind. He questions if there can be an end to this bipolarity without going into the "One," which is not polar at all. Acharya Prashant states that while this dualistic existence is an almost necessary part of being alive, it is not compulsory, making it possible to be free from this polarity. The path to this freedom requires a determination to understand the mind itself—its workings, urges, motives, and processes. He emphasizes the need for a resolve to take the "right medication," clarifying that this medication might not be a physical pill. He suggests the issue is not a problem with the physical brain, like a cell or tissue gone wrong, but something else. The solution lies in understanding the root of the mind's duality and venturing into the non-dual.
