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सर, आप बाबा क्यों बने? || आचार्य प्रशांत, आई.आई.टी दिल्ली वेदांत सत्र (2022)
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3 years ago
Vedant
Inquiry
Power
Rebellion
Ideology
Spirituality
Freedom from Ego
Upanishads
Description

Acharya Prashant begins by defining Vedant as curiosity and a rebellion against internal ignorance, explaining that the two go hand in hand. He describes Vedant's perspective as very clear, straightforward, and strict, which can be understood as scientific, although Vedant is far beyond science. Whether Vedant becomes the religion of the future depends on the kind of future humanity wants for itself. If we choose not to be destroyed by climate change, population explosion, or extreme consumerism, then we must adopt the path of Vedant. He explains that Vedant reveals we are not powerless or helpless; in fact, we possess so much power that we have used it to ruin our own lives. Our miserable state is a result of misusing our own power. Therefore, the future depends on the direction in which we channel this power. If our power is directed towards self-destruction, Vedant will remain on the periphery as it has been. However, if we choose to survive, the path of Vedant must be embraced. Responding to a question about the renewed interest in Vedant, Acharya Prashant expresses cautious optimism. He says that while the signs are good, he does not want to become too hopeful too quickly. He notes that it is easy for students to be idealistic, but it remains to be seen if they can maintain their passion for truth and Vedant when they face the realities of jobs, money, and relationships. The possibility of everyone understanding Vedant is so beautiful that its failure would be very painful. He advises working quietly without expectations, stating that if a good result comes, it's great, but one must continue the work regardless. When asked why he chose the path of spirituality over a lucrative career, Acharya Prashant explains that most people operate within a framework of seeking personal benefit, money, or power. However, there is a third, more urgent thing called "mustness." Good decisions arise from this sense of necessity, not from calculating personal gain. He clarifies that roles like a manager or a bureaucrat are ultimately subservient to public demand, making them slaves to the very people they are supposed to change. To bring about real change in the world, one must change the public's consciousness directly. This is the work he is doing, which can lead to tangible changes that no company or government can enforce. Addressing a question about left-wing and right-wing ideologies, Acharya Prashant states that being ready to die for a cause does not prove that one is right, as both noble and misguided individuals can show such conviction. Being right is a matter of deep inquiry. He argues that both left and right ideologies are based on fixed ideals, which makes true inquiry impossible. The commitment should always be to inquiry, not to any ideology. True religion, or core spirituality, is this ruthless inquiry, which is the essence of Vedant. He observes that in India, this core spirituality, found in texts like the Upanishads, has been sidelined in favor of traditions, beliefs, and stories, which people mistake for religion. Consequently, the common religious person often lacks a questioning spirit, giving some basis to the left's accusation of blind belief against the right.