Acharya Prashant clarifies the concept of collective liberation, explaining that while it is true that an individual cannot be liberated in isolation, this should not be used as a selfish motivation for helping others. He emphasizes that liberation is fundamentally the mind's freedom from time, which includes the past (memories) and the future (hope and imagination). If one helps others with the expectation that it will facilitate their own liberation, they are still trapped in the cycle of hope and self-centeredness. True liberation lies in desireless action and selfless love, where one works for the benefit of others without any concern for personal gain or even the success of the outcome. He further explains that the intent behind one's actions is what matters most. If the intent is personal, it reinforces the ego rather than liberating it. Using the analogy of the squirrel helping Shri Ram build a bridge, Acharya Prashant suggests that while an individual's efforts may seem materially inconsequential, they are spiritually significant when done with total dedication. He notes that the Bodhisattva ideal includes every blade of grass and every living being, including chimpanzees, in the journey toward liberation. The mark of a liberated person is the commitment to stay truthful and dedicated to the mission of liberation until their last breath, regardless of the magnitude of the task or the limitations of their capacity.
