Latest news with #AcharyaPrashant
India Today
16-07-2025
- General
- India Today
True compassion begins on your plate: Acharya Prashant
In spiritual circles, we often hear about personal growth, stress relief, and calming of thoughts. Rarely does anyone bring up our daily treatment of animals. But one spiritual teacher has made it a key part of his work: Acharya Prashant. Acharya Prashant says that any path that ignores the pain of animals cannot be a real spiritual compassion and non-violence are often spoken of in a moralistic sense, he ties them directly to our daily actions: what we eat, how we act, how we treat others. He believes our treatment of animals shows a mirror to how much we truly understand ourselves. When that understanding becomes real, we won't feel the need to hurt others, including animals. True compassion begins on your plate: Acharya Prashant advertisementHe doesn't always say things that will please the listener. His way of speaking is simple, clear, and often even uncomfortable. But it comes from the center of honesty. For him, concern for animals isn't something additional to be done. It comes on its own when one begins to see things as they are. He brings to the center the rights of the voiceless who can't speak for AND ON-GROUND WORKPETA recently gave Acharya Prashant the 'Most Influential Vegan' award. In 2025, his foundation got an award for being the Best Animal Welfare Organisation for helping people live a more compassionate life and reducing the suffering of is the only Indian spiritual teacher shown in the popular award-winning documentary Cowspiracy directed by Kip Andersen. He has also been featured in many other documentaries and conversations about animal cruelty and living with had a widely seen discussion with Maneka Gandhi, a well-known animal rights figure in India. Before the 2023 Gadhimai festival, where lakhs of animals are slaughtered, he went to Bihar and met officials and media to support steps to reduce the killing of has spoken at more than 200 universities and colleges, including premier institutions like IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, BITS, and the University of California. In these sessions, he frequently asks students to look at not just the environmental impact of their food and lifestyle choices, but also the effect that they have on their own inner talks and videos about the dairy and meat industries, and practices that involve animal cruelty, have reached over 80 million of his online followers and 2024, over 50,000 families chose to go vegetarian after engaging with his work. That shift helped save more than one million animals in that year HE STANDS OUTAcharya Prashant's words come from deep Vedantic clarity. He doesn't promote superficial causes or trends. He says that when we stop acting from habit or inner confusion, caring for animals comes explains that seeing animals as objects of consumption is often a result of strong body-centeredness. As that tendency loosens, our actions also become more compassionate on their own, without explicit has often mentioned that spirituality is not just about some quiet time or ritualistic worship. It should be visible in our daily choices, we eat, what we support, and how we behave, these are all a part of it. One cannot claim to live in truth while turning away from the suffering of fellow isn't asking for small changes. He's asking people to look at themselves honestly and make choices from that honest after influencing millions of people towards more compassionate living via his talks and writings, he frequently shows up on ground if the situation so the Gadhimai event, he didn't just speak, he travelled, met officials, and took concrete steps. All of this shows his deep sense of harm is often accepted without much thought. It is seen as normal, often even Prashant asks people to stop and question all pre-existing notions and traditions. He doesn't ask them to follow anyone or oppose anything for the sake of it. He just asks them to feel pain. That's a fact. Ignoring that is avoiding truth. Through both inner clarity and outer effort, Acharya Prashant is helping more people see this. He's not just talking, he's helping change the way we think and live.- Ends
Hans India
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
‘Insightful experience': People praise Acharya Prashant for revealing Yoga's true meaning
New Delhi: On the occasion of International Day of Yoga, spiritual teacher and philosopher Acharya Prashant received widespread acclaim across the country for his transformative discourse titled "Yoga in the Light of the Bhagavad Gita." Delivered live from Goa and broadcast across more than 40 cinema halls in India, the event marked a unique spiritual milestone, turning theatres into arenas of introspection, reflection, and philosophical engagement. Citizens from cities including Raipur, Kolkata, Jodhpur, Goa, and Bilaspur expressed deep appreciation for the talk, saying it changed their understanding of yoga. IANS spoke to several audience members across the country, and a common sentiment emerged: Acharya Prashant has redefined the way millions perceive yoga, shifting the focus from physical postures to inner clarity and spiritual strength. "Yoga is not yoga, it's Yog," says a young seeker from Goa Nutan, a 24-year-old from Goa who attended the live session, said: 'I liked it. I am 24, and today, for the first time, I discovered the real meaning of yoga. Yoga is not about flexibility or posture; it is about achieving our highest potential. 'Yog' is the right word, it is not an exercise but a way to evolve.' Hitesh, another attendee in Goa, added, 'Today I realised that Yoga is about knowing who you truly are. I understood so many new things that were never clear before.' Raipur residents also experienced a spiritual shift A resident of Raipur told IANS: 'Earlier, I thought Yoga was simply about physical fitness. But after listening to Acharya Prashant, I now understand that yoga is about gaining inner clarity. To end sorrow, that is Yoga. Today gave me a whole new perspective.' Another viewer from Raipur said, 'Acharya Prashant speaks with such depth. He wants to cleanse the soul. He emphasised that a true Yogi is someone who knows themselves. It was a powerful message.' The Kolkata audience also finds a new purpose in Yoga. Attendees in Kolkata also echoed similar sentiments. 'Until today, I thought yoga was just about stretching and breathing exercises. But now I understand that Yoga is about identifying the root cause of our sorrow and eradicating it from within. That is what true yoga is.' Jodhpur audiences connect deeply with the Gita's message From Jodhpur, a viewer who was present there said, 'He explained the real meaning of Yoga. I used to think it was only about physical routines, but now I realise it's about becoming fearless, letting go, and reaching your best version.' Another local attendee noted, 'Acharya Prashant explained Yoga in such detail. It's not about bending the body, but transforming the self from within.' Bilaspur also sees spiritual awakening. A resident from Bilaspur said, 'Yoga is about reaching our highest potential. As Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, 'Yoga is disconnection from sorrow.' That truth hit hard today.' Another attendee remarked, 'Yoga is much more than physical fitness. It's about discovering the reason behind our sadness and overcoming it. Acharya Prashant gave us a deeper understanding of the Gita's teachings. It was a truly insightful experience.' The event, jointly organised by the PrashantAdvait Foundation and PVR-INOX, marked the first time the Bhagavad Gita was discussed in cinema halls — venues traditionally reserved for entertainment. Cities like Mumbai, Pune, Gurugram, Patna, Indore, and Bhopal witnessed audiences purchasing tickets not for a blockbuster movie but for a spiritual discourse rooted in ancient wisdom. Acharya Prashant's message offered a direct challenge to the commodification of yoga in the modern world. 'The Yoga of the Gita is not about physical flexibility. It is about inner invincibility,' he declared. "Arjuna was asked to rise, not to stretch. The ancient Yogis were not posing for social media likes,' Acharya Prashant said in his talk. 'They were warriors of truth. In the Gita, Arjuna was not told to meditate or do breathing exercises. He was stirred to act wisely in the midst of war. Yoga is your battle against inner inertia, against doubt, against fear.' A bestselling author of over 160 books, Acharya Prashant is the founder of PrashantAdvait Foundation. His interdisciplinary teachings fuse Vedanta, Buddhism, existential philosophy, and modern psychology, making the wisdom of Indian scriptures accessible and applicable in everyday life. He currently leads one of the world's largest Bhagavad Gita teaching programmes, with over one lakh active participants globally. His recent initiative — the world's largest Gita-based online spiritual examination — has drawn seekers from across continents.
India Gazette
05-06-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
"What happened was wrong, shouldn't have happened": Acharya Prashant on Bengaluru stampede
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): Renowned philosopher and author, Acharya Prashant, on Thursday, condoled the loss of lives in the Bengaluru stampede and said that the incident should not have happened. Speaking with ANI, Acharya Prashant also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured in the incident. 'I express my condolences. 11 youngsters lost their lives when they came to express their happiness. I hope the injured people recover soon. What happened was wrong, this should not have happened,' he said. Speaking on the cause of the incident, Acharya Prashant said that when a person lacks meaning in his life, they are drawn towards these kinds of entertainment. 'The reason is that we do not want to face the realities of life. And in such a situation, whenever we find any kind of distraction, glamour, or excitement, we are drawn toward it. There are millions of people whose lives currently lack meaning, and it is these people who need entertainment the most,' he said. Further, he clarified that he is not against cricket itself, but rather the form of cricket that is designed primarily to provide momentary sensual excitement. 'I am a great admirer of Test cricket because it genuinely tests your patience, skill, and character. However, this version of cricket offers nothing more than seasonal entertainment, especially to the youth. During that time, young people immerse themselves in it, forgetting the harsh truths of life. A person who has something meaningful in life will be less attracted to such flashy forms of entertainment,' Acharya Prashant said. Eleven people died and more than 30 were injured in a stampede outside Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy stadium as a huge crowd of nearly 3 lakh people had gathered to witness the victory celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru for winning the Indian Premier League (IPL). (ANI)
India Gazette
05-06-2025
- General
- India Gazette
Acharya Prashant honoured with 'Most Impactful Environmentalist' award on World Environment Day, calls for inner revolution to tackle climate collapse
Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 5 (ANI): On World Environment Day, June 5, the Green Society of India honoured world-renowned philosopher and author Acharya Prashant with the prestigious 'Most Impactful Environmentalist ' award. Acharya Prashant has been leading a nationwide movement instrumental in integrating spiritual clarity with environmental awareness. The society bestowed him with an award for guiding millions of individuals towards sustainable living. Accepting the honour, Acharya Prashant delivered a powerful address, 'The climate crisis is not just outside, it's inside. The glaciers are melting because our minds are burning with greed. Oceans are rising because our desires know no bounds. Before we can act responsibly, we must first think clearly. And that is where true environmentalism begins, not in policy, but in consciousness.' 'When we talk about the environment, we usually refer to forests, rivers, air, and wildlife. But do we ever ask what kind of people we are that we end up polluting rivers or depleting forests?' he questioned. 'Until we address the pollution within the inner chaos, violence, and apathy, how can any external action truly succeed?' Highlighting the anthropogenic roots of the climate crisis, Acharya Prashant critiqued the tendency to treat environmental issues as isolated, data-driven challenges. 'We talk about the Air Quality Index but never the 'Human Quality.' As if the fault lies in the air and not in us,' he remarked. He further underscored that much of the environmental concern expressed today stems from self-interest rather than genuine reverence for nature. 'If we were handed a new planet after destroying this one, most of us would forget about the environment instantly,' he said, drawing attention to the utilitarian mindset that dominates environmental action. In response to the growing climate emergency, Acharya Prashant has launched 'Operation 2030', a nationwide initiative to awaken and educate India's youth. The initiative is aligned with the IPCC-supported UN climate target of keeping the temperature rise to 1.5C over pre-industrial levels by 2030. It aims to create a new type of leader based on ecological awareness, inner courage, and a profound sense of collective responsibility. Acharya Prashant shines because he can bridge the timeless Vedantic message to the most pressing ecological crisis of our times. Central to his ecological outreach is his Bhagavad Gita Teaching Program, which has now engaged over 100,000 participants and recently conducted what is regarded as the world's largest online Gita-based spiritual examination. Acharya Prashant's teachings integrate orthodox Vedantic traditions with Buddhism, existentialism, and Western philosophical thought, influencing thinkers and students at top global institutions such as UC Berkeley, Bard College, IITs, IIMs, IISc, and AIIMS. Concluding his address, Acharya Prashant offered a stern but inspiring call: 'We are not running out of time, we've already run out. 2030 is no longer a policy target; it is a planetary lifeline. To win this race against time, we need a million mutinies in favour of the planet, mutinies in how we think, consume, and live. In homes, classrooms, offices, and within ourselves, change must erupt. The only hope now is an inner revolution led by aware, courageous individuals who refuse to be part of the problem. Nobody is going to come to save the planet. It starts with you.' As the world celebrates another Environment Day, Acharya Prashant's voice cuts through the rhetoric, reminding us that the path to ecological healing begins with inner awakening, and the time to walk it is now. (ANI)
India Gazette
25-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Climate crisis results from mankind's primitive tendency to consume": Acharya Prashant pushes for solutions
New Delhi [India], May 25 (ANI): Acharya Prashant, a philosopher and spiritual teacher, explores the problem of human consumption amid the ongoing global climate crisis in his new feature piece published by The Sunday Guardian, where he argues that humanity faces an unprecedented crisis, which he labels as 'the sixth mass extinction', driven by human actions and 'mankind's primitive tendency to consume.' He explains that Operation 2030 is an emergency call to raise awareness about the climate crisis and the urgent need to address it. His central argument is that true climate transformation can only begin when material excess is replaced with inner wisdom. In his column with Sunday Guardian, Acharya Prashant wrote that the PrashantAdvait Foundation has initiated a campaign by the name of 'Operation 2030', where the understanding is that the climate crisis wasn't merely a political or technological problem, but stems from a deeper psychological tendency toward excessive consumption and a flawed philosophy of happiness based on material excess. 'We at the Foundation have been of the realised view that the Climate crisis cannot have a purely political or technological solution. The Climate crisis is a situation resulting from mankind's primitive tendency to consume, which reflects in population explosion, per capita consumption, and the global pop philosophy of maximising happiness through consumption. The crisis is therefore firstly inside us,' Acharya Prashant writes in his feature published by the Sunday Guardian. He explains that Operation 2030 remains an emergency call to raise awareness about the climate crisis and the need to address it. Acharya Prashant's main argument remains that true climate transformation begins when we replace material excess with inner wisdom. In his Sunday Guardian column, the author states that Operation 2030 urges inner transformation, climate accountability, and citizen-led change to combat ecological collapse. Focusing on the motives of Operation 2030, Acharya Prashant argues that the campaign is a call to address the long-standing urgency of the climate crisis. 'It was a collective promise made during the Paris Agreement at COP21 in 2015, to protect the future. But now, in 2025, that promise lies broken. The 1.5C threshold we aimed to avoid until 2030 has already been breached -- with global temperatures now already exceeding 1.5C above normal. The alarm rang -- but we were too distracted to hear,' he writes in his feature published by the English daily, The Sunday Guardian. Calling this a 'premature breach', Acharya Prashant advocates the need to have such an operation in order to address the climate crisis. He advocates calling out elites, who he says are the 'real culprits', for leaving high carbon footprints. Operation 2030 supports public declarations of carbon emissions and collaboration with data-driven organisations for accountability, the author states in his column at The Sunday Guardian. In democratic societies, meaningful climate action requires citizen pressure, Acharya Prashant writes in his article, adding that Operation 2030 aims to make climate a political issue by empowering individuals, especially youth, since 'they are not just future victims but present agents of change.' (ANI)
