Acharya Prashant explains a quote by Ramana Maharishi which states that the path of inquiry is only for 'ripe souls', while others require practices like praise (stuti), chanting (japa), meditation (dhyan), and yoga. Acharya Prashant clarifies that all these methods are forms of 'abhyas' or practice. He explains that the path of self-inquiry is for ripe souls, and for those who are not yet ripe, the various methods mentioned are ways to practice self-inquiry. The difference is that ripe souls succeed with fewer attempts, whereas beginners need much more repetition. However, there is no other way but to practice. Addressing a question about feeling pleasure from praise despite observing it, Acharya Prashant states that this indicates a need for more practice of watching. He connects this to the teachings of Shri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, which encapsulates spirituality in two words: 'vairagya' (detachment) and 'abhyas' (practice). He defines 'vairagya' as distancing oneself from the object being observed, and 'abhyas' as the repeated practice of this distancing. Since practice is often done imperfectly, it must be repeated again and again. Acharya Prashant presents a paradox: one needs spiritual practice as long as one feels resistance to it. When the practice becomes easy, the need for it diminishes. However, the more one is in bondage, the more one requires practice, and simultaneously, the more one abhors it. He advises being harsh with oneself, like a no-nonsense taskmaster, rather than being lenient. This holy war against oneself is liberation. This disrespect for the conditioned self is the deepest love one can offer oneself. The intensity of one's resistance to practice is an indicator of how desperately one needs it.
