On YouTube
Secret name of your best friend || Acharya Prashant, with DU (2022)
5.6K views
3 years ago
Anxiety
Spirituality
Self-knowledge
Wisdom Literature
Mind
Worry
Loneliness
Subtle Object
Description

Acharya Prashant responds to a young woman suffering from long-term anxiety and an inability to express her feelings. He begins by observing that he does not see much amiss with her; she appears to be a normal human being with the normal attendant problems. He notes that her ability to speak out to him already places her above a high threshold. He advises her to immediately get rid of any sources that convince her she is sick, because she is not. Or, if she is sick, she is only as sick as everyone else. He recommends that she get into books that tell her about herself, which she will immediately like because she is interested in knowing about her own situation. The speaker explains that there is a difference between worry and anxiety. Worry has a visible, gross object, whereas anxiety has a subtle object. Worldly means can take care of worries, but only spirituality can take care of anxiety because it deals with the subtle. He states that anxiety is nothing but an ignorance of what one is really anxious about. Once you start knowing what you are anxious about, the anxiety reduces. He humorously remarks that he has had no friends for 32 years, suggesting that her situation is not unique or as dire as she perceives it. He concludes by encouraging her to delve into wisdom literature. He explains that the question she is asking is answered in great detail and perfection by the great sages who came before him. He suggests that anyone interested in learning about themselves is bound to love those books. He advises her to contact the foundation to get recommendations for specific texts to begin with. He also tells her not to give authority to teachers who pressure her to be more social, as they are the ones who are sick and need counseling. He emphasizes that nobody can hurt her without her allowance.