Acharya Prashant explains that if fear and restrictions are present and given importance, one cannot act. This inability to act leads to the belief that one needs willpower. Willpower is only needed when you feel fear or restrictions; in order to overcome them, you feel the need for willpower. He suggests that instead of asking how to enhance willpower, a better question would be, "How not to be afraid?" or "How not to be restricted?" He posits that willpower may not actually be needed and that we might be fighting imaginary demons. To illustrate this, he uses an analogy: if you believe a room contains ghosts and demons, you will require a lot of willpower, motivation, and courage to enter. However, if you come to see that there are no ghosts or demons, you would not need any willpower. The action of entering would become simple and natural, arising from clarity, much like shaking one's head, which requires no willpower. The need for willpower arises because we have created our own obstacles. These obstacles exist only as long as we believe in them. When these self-imposed beliefs are seen through, one does not need willpower; wisdom is enough. Similarly, one does not need courage; clarity is sufficient. Instead of asking for willpower, one should ask for wisdom. Willpower is only an antidote to fear; where there is no fear, there is no need for willpower. The more afraid or restricted you feel, the more willpower you think you need. The solution is to open your eyes and see that there are no restrictions except those that you subscribe to and willingly self-impose.
