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Cracking the Public Speaking Code || Acharya Prashant, with NIT-Jamshedpur (2023)
Breaking Free
2.8K views
2 years ago
Public Speaking
Intention
Truth
Communication
Ego
Audience Engagement
Simplicity
Upliftment
Description

Acharya Prashant explains that public speaking should not be viewed as a vocation or an art designed to impress, but rather as an expression of truth and love. He emphasizes that the speaker's intention is supreme; the goal must be to communicate effectively and benefit the audience rather than seeking to leave them speechless or mesmerized. He argues that trying to impress an audience is a form of violence and self-centeredness, as it aims to leave an impression of the speaker's superiority rather than helping the listeners. True speaking involves giving a voice to the audience and pulling them out of the mental spells they are already trapped in. He advises against using jargon, complex vocabulary, or archaic terms just to sound sophisticated, noting that such habits often stem from a desire to feed the ego. In the Indian context, he observes a tendency to surrender to speakers who use incomprehensible Sanskrit or English, which he describes as a toxic engagement that reinforces the audience's sense of inferiority. Instead, a speaker should prioritize internal comprehension over linguistic accuracy, even if it means simplifying content or compromising on pronunciation. He suggests that speakers should gauge their pace and language based on the audience's limitations, much like walking with a child. Regarding criticism, Acharya Prashant views it as a form of engagement that can uncover deeper dimensions of truth. He encourages welcoming any input that challenges one to explore their content more deeply. However, if a critic is merely being egoistic or trying to score points, he suggests simply letting them be. Ultimately, the right to feel satisfied as a speaker comes only when the audience has been genuinely uplifted and helped to understand something better.