On YouTube
Why do we need liberation at all? || Acharya Prashant, with IIT Kharagpur (2021)
10.3K views
3 years ago
Liberation
Consciousness
Nature (Prakriti)
Suffering
Bondage
Freedom
Duality
Illusion (Maya)
Description

Acharya Prashant addresses the question of whether mass liberation of consciousness is possible, given that all individuals are different. He begins by stating that liberation is an imperative for everyone, regardless of how easy or difficult it may be for a particular individual. It is something that has to happen for one and all, as one cannot find peace, relaxation, or contentment without it. Even if someone is averse to liberation, they are inviting suffering, and that suffering itself will eventually push them toward liberation. The speaker explains that while individuals may have different predispositions, paths, and levels of consciousness, the destination of liberation is the same for all. He uses the analogy of a simple pendulum, where the time period of oscillation is independent of the weight of the bob; similarly, despite the different "weights" of individuals (their tendencies), their ultimate destination is shared. This is because all human beings have a central, common identity: a consciousness that demands wholeness, completion, and fulfillment. This universal thirst for realization is what makes liberation a common destiny. Acharya Prashant elaborates on the internal conflict within each person between two forces. One is the consciousness that seeks liberation, knowledge, and peace. The other is the body, or nature (Prakriti), with its inherent physical and biological tendencies that are indifferent to liberation and are instead pleasure-seeking and work-avoiding. These two forces are in a constant state of inner strife, yet they are inseparable. The only possible harmony between them is when the body surrenders to and follows the direction of consciousness, and consciousness, in turn, follows the path of Truth or liberation. The force that opposes liberation, classically called Maya or Prakriti, is the entire universe. It exists because we exist and experience bondage; if one is liberated, this force does not exist for them. This force is deceptive, often presenting what is harmful as a remedy, thus deepening one's sickness. The more one postpones the spiritual process, the more life's circumstances will batter them, forcing them to move towards liberation. Ultimately, every human has the freedom to choose their path, but not the freedom to indefinitely postpone the inevitable journey toward liberation, which is the very nature of consciousness.