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On Idols, Goals, Hardwork and Fulfillment || Acharya Prashant, with youth (2013)
Acharya Prashant
2.6K views
12 years ago
Hard work
Resistance
Success
Happiness
Idols
Willpower
Skill
Fulfillment
Description

Acharya Prashant explains that hard work is not defined by physical action or the number of hours spent on a task, but rather by the resistance the mind puts up against an activity. When the mind is not in a state of flow or is unsupportive, it creates friction, and this internal resistance is what is experienced as hard work. Conversely, when the mind is supportive and in a smooth flow, even a great deal of activity does not feel like hard work. Regarding idols and role models, he cautions that having an image to follow leads to constant comparison, the creation of complexes, and a loss of freedom to find one's own path. He emphasizes that one must live their own life independently of society's influence, as personal suffering and existence are individual experiences. On the topic of choosing a path, Acharya Prashant distinguishes between skills and love, noting that while skills can be acquired, love cannot. He suggests that fulfillment is self-evident, much like knowing when one's thirst is quenched. While some situations may require willpower and pushing oneself—such as the logistical hurdles needed to reach a joyful goal—these should remain at the periphery of life rather than becoming its center. Finally, he addresses the relationship between success and happiness, asserting that they are not separate entities. He defines success as living the present moment joyfully; therefore, one cannot compromise happiness to achieve success, as the absence of happiness precludes the possibility of being truly successful.