Acharya Prashant addresses the concern of how to find one's identity when most of our psyche is formed through external conditioning. He explains that the very existence of the urge for self-inquiry proves that we are not merely machines, as a machine never feels uncomfortable about not knowing its true identity. While much of our psyche is indeed composed of external influences assimilated consciously or subconsciously, the realization of this fact is what leads to freedom. By observing how simple everyday events, like compliments or a sports team's loss, control our moods, we begin to see the external layers for what they are. This simple, watchful consciousness allows one to see that their strings are being pulled by the world, and this realization itself constitutes liberation. He further clarifies that while psychological freedom is instant upon realization, physical or material freedom may take time to manifest. Our physical lives are often governed by long-standing associations and routines that have a residue from the past. For instance, realizing that a long-term companion has been dominating you does not mean they will immediately disappear from your life, as physical processes extend over time. However, once the internal realization occurs, the process of material expression and cleaning away the past begins. The discomfort felt when realizing one is being controlled is actually the beginning of freedom, as the strings of control are ultimately mental and rooted in ignorance.
