Acharya Prashant clarifies that 'living in the present' is a widely misunderstood concept, often incorrectly equated with 'living in the now.' He explains that the present is not a point in time but is synonymous with the eternal, unchangeable truth that exists independent of time. While the 'now' is merely a point in the stream of time—inextricably linked to the past and future—the present is the vast, unchanging sky that encompasses the entire flow of time. He argues that focusing solely on the 'now' can lead to consumerism and ego-fulfillment, as the ego uses the 'now' as a site for fulfilling desires and seeking power. True presence, therefore, is not about being physically located in a specific moment, but about being free from the entire stream of time, where the distinctions between past, future, and now no longer cause restlessness. Addressing the nature of problems and fear, Acharya Prashant asserts that fear is the core of every problem; without fear, a situation is merely a situation. He points out that the mind does not actually wander to the past or future; rather, it invites them into the 'now,' making the 'now' the very place where all misery and suffering are experienced. Consequently, spiritual freedom is not found by focusing on the 'now,' but by attaining freedom from it. He describes two types of patience: one based on deprivation, where one waits for a future event to bring fulfillment, and a second, wiser patience based on fullness. This second type of patience is a form of surrender and humility, where one acknowledges the inherent limitations of the mind and body while recognizing that the truth is already present, even if the mind cannot yet fully identify it.
