Acharya Prashant explains that the human brain is fundamentally material in nature and possesses no inherent identity of its own. Because it lacks a self-defined essence, it identifies with whatever external objects, people, or environments it remains in contact with over time. He compares this process to the physical diffusion of molecules between two metal plates or the seizing of nuts and bolts; when material entities occupy the same space for a long duration, they become inseparable. This attachment is a dead, mechanical property of matter and does not involve consciousness, understanding, or sentience. He emphasizes that attachment is often mistaken for love, but the two are diametrically opposed. Attachment arises from a lack of understanding and a sense of dependency, where the ego latches onto an object to define itself. This leads to a desire for possession and the restriction of the other's freedom, which ultimately causes harm. In contrast, love is characterized by freedom. Acharya Prashant asserts that these observations are not mere opinions but are as scientifically accurate as physics, supported by extensive psychological and neurological research. To be free from the stranglehold of attachment, one must realize its mechanical nature; through this realization, its power over the mind weakens.
