Acharya Prashant explains that a basic tenet of wisdom is to be careful and pay attention the moment you find feelings surging in your mind and body. He states that this is the moment you can lose the game, as a shift of center takes place. However, this process is not immediate; you have some time to respond. He compares it to the rise of water during a high tide, which is swift but not instantaneous. This provides a window to watch, adjust, and recognize that the same old forces are attempting to overpower you again. The speaker elaborates that if you identify with these feelings, you will end up supporting them. The initial surge of energy from a feeling is beyond conscious control and its origin is often unknown. It is an automatic reaction, like a button being pushed or a raw nerve being touched, which can manifest as happiness, jealousy, sadness, or fear. This reaction stems from a deeply embedded tendency that is difficult to trace. The speaker refers to this initial reaction as an "enemy" from an unknown direction. Once this "enemy" fires its first shot, you have located it. You can detect the physical sensations, such as a lump in your throat, a rush of blood, or trembling hands. This is the crucial moment for attention, care, and composure. The key is not to yield to the feeling or add conscious energy to this unconscious uprising. While most people feel helpless against this initial reaction, the reaction itself becomes a mark on the radar of your consciousness, allowing for observation. The speaker refutes the common misperception that emotions make us human. He asserts that what is truly precious in life is not an emotion or a feeling. In states like deep love or meditation, daily troubles and the sense of separation vanish. This state is not a feeling because the "feeler" itself dissolves, much like a bird lost in flight does not feel anything. Therefore, real love cannot be felt.
