Real objectivity is disappearance of the subject, hence freedom from the object || (2015)

Acharya Prashant: Sushmita asks, “What does it mean to look at anything, or anyone, afresh? Memories, inkling, or a very basic thought, always persists”.

Dhirendra says, “Sir, you said that look at everything and everybody as if it is for the first time. How is it possible? How can one erase the memories?”

See, whenever something is said in words, try to pay attention to that, which cannot really be expressed in language, but which is the whole target of communication. So, because of deficiency of words, because of the necessities of communication, one will have to use words like ‘first time’, ‘afresh’ and such words.

When I say, “Whenever you look at somebody, or something, look as if you are looking the first time”, do not take this word ‘first’ too seriously. Because where there is ‘first’, there is also the second, the third, the fourth, and so on.

All that is meant by saying, “Look at the person as if looking for the first time”, is that you look from a point where you are not a slave of your own changing perceptions. You are listening to me. All your listening will get modified if, at this moment, somebody tells you a few statements about me.

He may come and say a few things, and you will find that your listening has changed, because the ‘person’ that you are, and the ears of that ‘person’ are composed of a thousand external effects. As soon as those effects change, that ‘person’ changes, and the ‘person’s’ listening changes. Now you will listen to what your mood will tell you to listen. You will listen to what your opinions will tell you to listen.