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False masters and false teachings || Acharya Prashant (2018)
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5 years ago
Truth
False Teachings
Upanishads
Kabir Saheb
Buddha
Timelessness
Essence (Saar)
Falsehood (Asaar)
Description

Acharya Prashant responds to a question about the fear of one's beliefs being shattered, especially when emotionally invested in a teacher. He advises to "get shattered," explaining that one should not like things that can be shattered. The Truth is described as that which is unbreakable, indivisible, and without components. If any teaching, regardless of the teacher, can be broken or proven false, it should be let go. One should not hold on to false teachings. The speaker emphasizes that a key characteristic of Truth is its timelessness, citing the Upanishads as an example of scriptures that remain relevant because they have not been proven false. He encourages the questioner to dismiss anything that can be proven false and to keep moving until they find something that cannot be shattered. One should not be fixated on any particular person, as the core of a human being is in love with that which time cannot change, which is why man fears death. The ultimate goal is to find something that can never be outdated, improved upon, or surpassed, which is the Truth itself. He references Kabir Saheb's Sakhi Granth, which distinguishes between a "Saar-grahi" (one who grasps the essence or Truth) and an "Asaar-grahi" (one who grasps the non-essential or falsehood). An "Asaar-grahi" is attracted to the periphery, the personality, and the cultivated aura of a teacher, which requires a lot of effort and resources to maintain. In contrast, a "Saar-grahi" seeks only the Truth. He gives the example of the Buddha, whose following grew because learned men, upon realizing the depth of his wisdom in discussions, would humbly become his disciples, demonstrating an internal honesty and eagerness to learn. The speaker concludes by stating that if his own teachings are ever found to be flawed, he, as a fellow seeker, would want to be informed so he too can abandon the falsehood and move closer to the real thing.