Acharya Prashant explains that there are four or five levels of forming a relationship with anything in life, be it a person, an object, or a scene. He states that every relationship is formed by the ego, and the level of the relationship is indicative of a level of the ego. The lowest level of relating to something is that of imagination or story. Using the moon as an example, he explains that since ancient times, when humanity lacked scientific facts, people would create myths and stories about it. Primitive man, amazed by the moon, did not inquire into its reality but instead wove tales, like the Indian nursery rhyme that calls the moon a maternal uncle. This is the most initial level of forming a relationship, where one knows neither the object nor the subject (the self) and instead relies on imagination. A step above imagination is the level of emotion. Here, the relationship becomes personal. Poets and lovers, for instance, see their beloved's face in the moon. The speaker cites song lyrics like, "I asked the moon, have you seen someone as beautiful as my friend?" This relationship, while still imaginary, is private and marks a progression for the ego from a scattered, public belief system to a more centered, personal one. The third level is that of facts, which is the realm of science. At this level, the relationship is based on factual inquiry, such as space missions like Chandrayaan studying the moon's composition. One no longer relies on imagination but on evidence. However, Acharya Prashant points out that even this level is driven by the ego's self-interest, such as the desire to exploit resources or establish dominance. Science maintains a duality between the subject (the scientist) and the object of study, and is often motivated by self-interest. The highest level is that of the witness, which is the realm of spirituality. Quoting Sant Kabir, "The moon rises, and the whole world sees it; I see the illusion dispelled," the speaker explains that at this level, one does not see the moon as an object but becomes like the moon itselfтАФa detached, impartial witness to the entire spectacle of life. The relationship of 'I' and 'mine' dissolves. The saint is not interested in the moon for personal gain, emotion, or story; he sees it as a symbol of witness-consciousness. This is the ultimate state where all illusions, including the primary illusion of the ego, are dispelled. The true Guru is one who removes all illusions, especially the core illusion of the ego, which is the belief 'I am'.
