Acharya Prashant explains the futility of external motivation, comparing it to pushing a car from behind rather than relying on its own engine. He observes that people often mistake his talks for motivation, which is temporary and dependent on the speaker, whereas real energy and action must come from one's own understanding. Understanding is not a difficult art, but it becomes impossible when one is not present or is distracted by miscellaneous thoughts and occupations. To understand, one must simply make the mind available and empty it of distractions, rather than just being physically present.