Acharya Prashant begins by explaining that the meaning of understanding ('samajh') depends on one's current state. He first defines the lack of understanding ('na-samajhi'). In this state, no real thought or inquiry arises. A person living in 'na-samajhi' does not question their own condition and lives in a state of thoughtlessness ('avichar'). They feel no need for curiosity ('jigyasa') and possess a blind self-confidence that they are fine as they are, believing there is no need to think or contemplate. Increasing understanding, therefore, means to begin the process of thinking ('vichar'). It is the awakening of one's contemplation ('vicharana'), making the mind active. This leads to the realization that issues once considered settled are actually complex and entangled. These entanglements are often hidden in darkness, and one lives under the illusion that they don't exist. The primary tool to resolve these entanglements is thought. For someone who doesn't think, increasing understanding means to start thinking more and more. As thought matures and reaches its peak, it becomes refined. Useless parts of thought fall away, and it transitions from gross to subtle. A matter that once required a long time and circular thinking, leading only to a headache, can now be understood with greater clarity in much less time. This is the growth of understanding in the realm of thought. The culmination of this process is a state of minimal thinking, which some call 'nirvicharita' (thoughtlessness). This is an understanding that is beyond thought itself. Acharya Prashant advises seekers not to speculate about the final state but to focus on moving forward from their current position. This is done by strengthening the faculty of contemplation. One must challenge the boundaries of their thought, which are often defined by fear and old conditioning ('sanskars'). The belief that some things are "already decided" and beyond questioning leads to narrow-mindedness ('sankirna mana'). One must fearlessly think about everything, even concepts said to be beyond thought. The greatest power of the mind is thought, and the state of 'nirvicharita' is only attained by those who have first mastered the art of thinking. The growth of understanding is the growth of one's capacity to think; the deeper your thought, the more understanding you are.