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Why does man feel so lonely? || Acharya Prashant (2017)
Acharya Prashant
10.6K views
7 years ago
Loneliness
Absolute
Body Identification
Separation
Unborn
Suffering
Bhagavad Gita
Yoga Vashist
Description

Acharya Prashant addresses the apparent contradiction between man being born lonely and the absolute nature of the self being blissful. He explains that the absolute state is never born and does not perish; loneliness arises only when one identifies with the 'born' self, specifically the body. The moment of birth marks the beginning of identification with a physical form, parents, and society, which inherently creates a sense of 'otherness.' This perception of others leads to the feeling of being stranded or left behind, which is the essence of loneliness. The absolute does not admit otherness, but the physical world is built upon it, making loneliness inevitable for anyone who takes themselves to be a body in an alien world. To overcome loneliness, Acharya Prashant suggests living as the 'unborn' one. This means not taking the consequences of physical birth—such as gender, religion, or social status—too seriously. He emphasizes that the body is fundamentally lonely; physical pain or death are experiences that cannot be shared, even in the closest of relationships. Separation is the root of loneliness and suffering, and as long as one identifies as a separate entity, even physical proximity or sensory pleasures like food cannot provide true fulfillment. These are merely temporary substitutes that promise satisfaction but leave the individual elusive and distant from the truth. Acharya Prashant further explains that many people settle for 'little' pleasures and mediocre compromises to escape the depth of their loneliness. While some may successfully suppress their inner void through worldly distractions and live out their lives without seeking higher truth, spiritual realization is only for those who refuse to be comforted by anything less than the total or the absolute. He notes that ancient wisdom suggests not disturbing those who are satisfied with the 'little' with profound spiritual knowledge. Ultimately, one must decide whether they are content with temporary worldly escapes or if they seek the infinite and immense nature of the unborn self.