Acharya Prashant explains that our consciousness is an impure consciousness, and its goal is Truth. In the state of a living being, consciousness and Truth are not at all synonymous. Truth is non-dual and complete, while consciousness constantly operates in duality and is always incomplete. Truth is desireless, whereas consciousness is always filled with desires. Consciousness, however, wants to reach Truth. The impurities and disorders within it cause suffering, which can then motivate it to move towards Truth. Consciousness and Truth should not be considered the same, although pure consciousness and Truth are one. It would be arrogant to claim that our current consciousness is Truth. Consciousness is the feeling of 'I am, and the world is,' with the ego at its center, making it impure. This ego is the experiencer of the world, constantly engaged in worldly play within consciousness. Consciousness is a dynamic ocean of subjects and experiences, with constant movement and vibration, while Truth is still and immovable. The dynamism of consciousness ultimately seeks rest, which is Truth. Discretion (Vivek) is an alternative power available to consciousness. The ego, at the center of consciousness, can choose to use this power or not. Using it makes one discerning (Viveki); not using it makes one undiscerning (Aviveki). The ego must reach Truth, but it can choose a direct path or a crooked one, often choosing the latter out of a false sense of cleverness. The growth of discretion is measured by the intensity and frequency of choosing Truth in daily life. A lack of intensity means giving up easily when faced with obstacles. A lack of frequency means choosing Truth only occasionally for formality's sake. Both are insufficient. True action is its own reason; it is baseless and has no ulterior motive. The ego, which is part of nature, uses resources like intellect and logic, and it is up to the ego to use them to choose the path to liberation.
