Acharya Prashant explains that to break oneself means to resolve to go against one's own emotions. He states that emotion does not come like a small wave but like a tsunami, making it difficult to stand against it, whether it's the emotion of anger, attraction, attachment, jealousy, lust, or fear. When these emotions come, they sweep you away, and you don't even realize where you've been thrown. The speaker advises learning to stand firm against these emotions. When emotion is not present, then love manifests. He clarifies that while no external labor is needed, all the effort must be directed inwards. This internal labor is introspection, which involves observing one's thoughts, emotions, and actions. These are the very things that need to be broken. The speaker emphasizes that the biggest obstacle is emotion, which he also refers to as feeling. He distinguishes between thought and emotion, explaining that while thoughts have some light of consciousness, emotions are completely devoid of it, arising from the dark cellars of the mind. He warns that one who cannot break their emotions should abandon talk of self-knowledge or freedom from the self. This is what makes one human, as even animals act on their emotions. Heroism lies in the ability to do what is right, even if it does not feel right. The speaker asserts that what is right will seldom feel right. He advises that even if it feels terrible and tears are flowing, if you know something is right, you must do it. The value of your emotion is worthless; it is poisonous because it comes from the unconscious, from your animalistic nature. The center of emotion is the same in humans and animals. Acharya Prashant further clarifies that being human comes from consciousness, not emotion. The thing that animals do not have is understanding and realization. He contrasts emotion with love, stating that they are opposites. An emotional person cannot be a loving person. He laments that our upbringing and culture have failed to teach the difference between emotion and love, leading most people to mistake emotion for love. Love is related to the height of consciousness. When there is love, the mind moves towards understanding. Love means loving liberation, understanding, and discretion. In contrast, emotion means wanting what keeps the animal within you an animal. Therefore, emotion is the enemy of love. The speaker concludes by reiterating that one must do what is right, even with a heavy heart, as this is what it means to go against oneself.
