This is a talk from a 2025 Australian tour.

In this talk Acharya das explores the concept of the soul and the journey of self-realization from a Vedic perspective. He explains that according to Vedic understanding, we don't "have" souls - we ARE souls, eternal spiritual beings temporarily residing in physical bodies. He emphasizes that identifying with our temporary physical bodies leads to suffering, while understanding our true spiritual nature is the foundation of genuine spirituality and happiness.

Acharya das defines materialism not as the hunger for material things, but as the idea that "I am material" i.e. I am my body, and contrasts materialism with spirituality (understanding oneself as an eternal spiritual being having a temporary material experience). He discusses how self-centeredness, which has become increasingly normalized in modern society, leads to unhappiness, while acts of kindness align with our true spiritual nature. He criticizes how technology, particularly smartphones and social media, has exacerbated self-centeredness and contributed to rising mental health issues.

The talk concludes by advocating for meditation as immersion in transcendental sound, which can help purify the heart and mind, bringing clarity and helping us break free from material illusions. He presents the journey of self-realization and God-realization as the true purpose of human life.