Acharya Prashant explains that the essence of the self is consciousness, asserting that one truly exists only when in a state of awareness or wakefulness. He clarifies that physical activities like eating or walking are not signs of true existence; rather, knowing and being conscious are the only valid indicators of being. He distinguishes between three levels of knowing: imagination, facts, and truth. While imagination is illusory and facts involve a duality between the knower and the known, truth is a state of being that transcends external objects and subjects. Truth is not something to be reached or realized as an external entity; it is a state of consciousness where the sense of 'I' or 'mine' dissolves. He further elaborates that facts are situational and dependent on duality, such as the relationship between a person and a door. In contrast, truth is non-dual and represents a state of complete wakefulness. Acharya Prashant emphasizes that while facts are necessary for navigating the world, they should not be mistaken for truth. He notes that moving from imagination to facts requires the 'washing away' of illusions, and moving from facts to truth requires the dissolution of deep-seated beliefs in those facts. He warns that accumulating facts can actually become a bondage if it strengthens the ego, as every fact reinforces the 'I' that claims to know it. Finally, the speaker discusses the role of a teacher in invoking truth rather than just delivering facts. He explains that truth cannot be shared as a possession because it only exists when the 'me' is absent. Using the example of Shri Krishna and Arjun, he illustrates that those without consciousness or deep awareness are essentially 'dead' even while physically active. True life is defined by deep attention and consciousness. He concludes that while facts are useful, they are ultimately part of the same illusory framework as imagination when viewed from the highest level of truth, where only pure consciousness remains.
