Acharya Prashant explains the fundamental distinction between intellect and intelligence. Intellect is described as a quality gathered from the outside, closely tied to knowledge, memory, and academic or worldly scholarship. It is something that can be cultivated through external sources like libraries and schools. In contrast, intelligence is an inherent quality that does not depend on memory or external knowledge. It cannot be cultivated; one can only create an environment where it shines forth. While intellect operates through the past and memory, intelligence is a free state of mind that is independent of such conditioning. He further discusses the concept of choicelessness, asserting that the mind operates in only two states: as a conditioned machine or as a free, intelligent entity. In neither state does a real choice exist. A conditioned mind acts according to its programming, much like a machine, while an intelligent mind simply knows the right action to take without the need for deliberation or decision-making. Because there is no actual choice in either state, Acharya Prashant argues that guilt and repentance are merely products of the ego. The ego creates the illusion of doership and ownership, leading one to believe they could have acted differently. He concludes that understanding one's choicelessness eliminates the basis for guilt, as actions are the inevitable result of one's current state of mind.
