Chapter 1: The Nature of Control

Everything unfolds spontaneously. You don’t consciously wake yourself in the morning; it simply happens. This raises the question: who or what truly exerts control over our actions?

Control is rooted in our initial awareness. If "control" is the right term, it exists inherently within your true essence. Genuine control manifests as Understanding. You observe and comprehend, perhaps driven by a desire to delve deeper into your experiences. However, at the level of action, control is merely an illusion.

Our culture thrives on providing and receiving advice, turning it into a favorite pastime. A compelling game is often one that mirrors reality.

Consider your most pressing challenge. You may feel powerless to change it. Yet, what’s needed is an awakening, leading to actions that occur naturally without force.

The Question of Action

As I ponder this, I question how one can become entangled in internal conflict when the notion of "doing" is fundamentally flawed.

To grasp this, introspection may be necessary, possibly with the help of a skilled meditation teacher. You might discover that your perception of a distinct 'self'—the sensation of an "I" that supposedly governs your decisions—dissolves upon scrutiny.

Intellectual Discourse and Self-Conflict

Sophisticated thinkers often discuss the importance of holding two opposing ideas simultaneously. However, the idea of “simultaneously” is misleading. Awareness is singular and indivisible; therefore, two conflicting thoughts cannot coexist. Instead, self-conflict arises when one idea is rapidly succeeded by its opposite, creating a cycle of expectation and disappointment that recurs daily.

Psychologists label this phenomenon “cognitive dissonance,” while intellectuals might mock the human desire to alleviate it.

The Dangers of Prescriptions

What transpires when you adhere to prescriptions? You erect barriers. You generate a “should,” nourished by the belief that what emerges in your Awareness is somehow untrustworthy. This initiates the cycle of internal conflict.

An impulse arises, followed by doubt regarding that impulse, leading to a quest for guidance. Prescriptions breed further prescriptions, as they thrive on the self-doubt they incite.

You might fulfill the initial prescription and then approach the source, seeking validation: “Look at what I accomplished. Was that right?” The cycle continues with every correction sought.

Understanding Through Creativity

You might stumble upon the “right” prescription, but remember: your mind operates as a continuous fountain of creativity. Nothing is straightforward.

All must be interpreted creatively, as you need imagination to contextualize how a prescription should be enacted. Karl Popper once noted, “It is impossible to communicate in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood.”

Yet, a prescription typically begins with a directive: “How to become a successful writer…” or “How to make X amount of money in 30 days through stock trading…” The phrase “how to” suggests a linear process—interpretation devoid of creativity, which is fundamentally misleading.

A crucial point: with each word you encounter in this discussion, the “meaning” emerges in your mind autonomously, without any effort from “you” to impose it.

The video titled "Kapil Gupta MD - METH-OD Dealers" delves into Gupta's insights on mental performance and offers a deeper understanding of why he opposes traditional prescriptions in personal development.