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Consume with dispassion || Acharya Prashant, on Ishavasya Upanishad (2017)
Scriptures and Saints
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2 years ago
Yog
Bhog
Gratification
Consumption
Desire
Spirituality
Isavasya Upanishad
Fear
Description

Acharya Prashant explains that true enjoyment of the world, or 'bhog', is impossible without 'yog', which he defines as having a unified core, a heart that is not shattered, and a mind that is not fragmented. He argues that most people live in fear and stress, which prevents them from truly experiencing simple delights like food, happiness, or even sadness. Without a solid inner foundation, people are too afraid to leave their jobs or explore the world, leading to barren lives characterized by routine rather than genuine gratification. He points out that even in activities like eating or sexual gratification, people are often too distracted by trivia and mental occupations to truly experience the moment. He further discusses the paradox of modern consumption, where people consume excessively yet remain ungratified. This lack of inner fullness and gratitude leads to a cycle of increasing consumption in a futile search for quality through quantity. Acharya Prashant highlights the ecological consequences of this greed, noting that the planet is being destroyed because mankind's lives are devoid of spirituality. He asserts that consumption born out of desire is actually desire consuming the individual. True consumption, as taught in the Upanishads, should be done with dispassion and inner faith. He concludes that when people seek total contentment from material objects or relationships as a substitute for God, they are inevitably disappointed, as only a godly life can provide true fulfillment.