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सारा जहाँ मस्त, मैं अकेला त्रस्त || आचार्य प्रशांत (2020)
55.5K views
5 years ago
Right Action
Illusion
Thermometer Analogy
Conditioning
Peace and Joy
Comparison
Honesty
Value System
Description

Acharya Prashant addresses a question about whether doing the right thing necessarily brings peace, lightness, and joy. He explains that while this is true, one must first understand their current state. He uses the analogy of a faulty thermometer, which has been deliberately broken by society and conditioning. This thermometer is stuck at 98.4 degrees, making a person believe they are normal even when they are spiritually sick with a high fever, say 104 degrees. Because everyone around them has the same faulty thermometer, this agitated state is considered normal. People might even be encouraged to seek more 'heat' or excitement, believing they are 'cold' if they are not agitated enough. The spiritual path or a teacher's role is to fix this thermometer. When the thermometer is corrected, it suddenly reveals the true temperature, for instance, 103 degrees. This revelation can be shocking. Whether one experiences peace or suffering at this point depends on their comparison. If they compare their new state of 103 degrees to the previously believed normal of 98.4, they will feel that spirituality has made them sick and will resent it. This is the reaction of a dishonest person. However, an honest person will compare the 103 degrees to their actual previous state of 104 degrees and realize their fever has reduced, leading to a feeling of peace, lightness, and gratitude. Acharya Prashant clarifies that the common definitions of peace, joy, and lightness are often born from a restless, heavy, and unconscious mind. The 'peace' felt from revenge, the 'joy' from indulging in desires like eating a mutton pizza, or the 'lightness' from intoxication are all false. The spiritual path does not provide these old, false experiences; it shatters these very definitions. The teacher's work is to change one's value system and standards of evaluation. Real lightness and peace will come, but only after one acknowledges the heavy burden they were carrying before. The ego resists admitting it has lived a foolish life, but without this honest acceptance, any improvement will be perceived as a new burden, leading to opposition against the path of truth.