Acharya Prashant addresses the question of how to understand "simple living and high thinking." He begins by acknowledging that these are well-known ideals, often accepted as a proven truth. However, he immediately pivots to question the source of our definitions for such concepts. He points out that no one would willingly admit to having low or lowly thinking; in one's own opinion, everyone's thoughts are right. This raises the fundamental question of where our definitions and the confidence in our thoughts come from. The speaker explains that the Upanishads challenge these very notions. They compel us to investigate the definitions of the words that are central to our lives, such as simplicity, life, career, money, love, and work. The entire structure of our life is built upon these basic concepts, yet we rarely question if we truly understand them. The Upanishads ask us to go back to the basics and challenge our fundamental notions. They ask, "From where do our definitions come?" Acharya Prashant elaborates that the Upanishads probe even deeper, asking about the origin of our self-concept. They question whether the self we take ourselves to be is real at all, or merely a composition of various influences. The ultimate inquiries are, "Who are you?" and "Are you genuine?" He clarifies that the Upanishads are not religious scriptures in the traditional sense; they do not teach or offer a new reality. Their purpose is not to provide answers but to ask very sharp questions. He concludes that the Upanishads are not there to show us anything but to help us get rid of the mental chains and bondages we carry. Once these are dropped, one is free to live as an authentic individual. This is why he considers the counsel of the Upanishads extremely important, especially for young people, so they can assess their minds and decisions before their life choices become irreversible. They are fascinating documents that help one question the very concept of reality that one carries.