To unfold the mystery of the universe it is necessary to realize what this 'I' suppose to be in reality. +

The seeker has to make sure what is this ‘I’ supposed to be? The seeker has to make sure the unreal nature of the ‘I’ which comes and goes to realize the truth, which is hidden by the illusory form, time, and space.

To unfold the mystery of the universe it is necessary to realize what this 'I' suppose to be in reality.

That is why Bhagavad Gita says: ~ “The permanent is always there, only the transient ‘I’ comes and goes. (2.18)

The ‘I’ hides the Soul, the Self, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Where there is ‘I’ there is ignorance.

Where there is ignorance there is separation.

Where there is a separation there is duality.

Where there is duality there is an illusion.

Where there is an illusion there is the mind.

Where there is a mind there is the universe.

Where there is the universe there is waking or dream.

Where there is the universe there is waking or dream there is form, time, and space.

But remember:~

If there is no ‘I’ then there is no ignorance.

If there is no ignorance then there is no separation.

If there is no separation then there is no duality.

If there is no duality then there is no illusion.

If there is no illusion then there is no mind.

If there is no mind then there is no universe.

If there is no universe then there is no waking or dream.

If there is no waking or dream then there is no form, time, and space.

If there are no divisions of form, time, and space then it is the Advaitic reality.

Perfect understanding of ‘what is what leads to the realization of Advaitic truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space.:~ Santthosh Kumaar

If the inquiry does not include the universe then it is incomplete.+

Sage Sankara: ~ VC~63- "Without knowing and examining the universe, one can’t know the Truth, as the idea that the external world exists, won't go. It can go only by an inquiry into the nature of the external world.

If the inquiry does not include the universe, then it is incomplete. The universe itself is what God is all about. The totality of the universe is what God is all about.

You just study the nature of the universe with all the seriousness and sincerity to unfold the mystery of the universe. That is all you have to do.

Until the mystery of the universe is solved, the Self hidden by the illusory universe will not be realized.

Consciousness is the one single reality or Brahman. The individual self is a reality within the illusory universe or Maya.

Manduka:~ Those who want the ultimate truth, Brahman, will not practice control of the mind. (p.231)

Mundaka Upanishad: ~ “The study of the Vedas, linguistics, Rituals, astronomy, and all the arts can be called lower knowledge. The higher is that which leads to Self-realization.

Manduka Upanishad has no assumptions whatever. It is an honest and bold inquiry into truth. The world is believed to be a superimposition on consciousness, which is Brahman. Superimposition cannot be true.

Manduka Upanishad:~ Reality and illusion together make Brahman: nothing can be left out.

Manduka Upanishad:~ Atman is the highest Reality.

Manduka Upanishad:~ Only a few will be able to understand and assimilate it

Manduka Upanishad is not meant for all, as it is based entirely on reasoning.

Sage Goudapad:~ Duality is for the unwise, non-duality and undifferentiated Reality is for the wise and difficult to grasp.

Remember:~

The world is believed to be a superimposition on consciousness, which is Brahman. Superimposition cannot be true.

On the other hand, Sage Sankara claims that the world is not false. It appears false only when compared to Brahman (Consciousness).

In the pragmatic state, the world is completely true, which occurs as long as we are under the influence of Maya. The world cannot be both true and false at the same time; hence, Sage Sankara has classified the world as indescribable. The following points suggest that, according to Sage Sankara, the world is not false (Sage Sankara himself gave most of the arguments)

Remember:~

There is no need to study Advaita Vedanta. The seeker has to find out: - ‘What is mind or ‘I’?’, ‘What is the substance of the mind (I)?’ And what is the source of the mind? (I), to realize the nature of the mind (I).

The non-duality has to be grasped in the midst of the duality (waking experience).

When one is Soul-centric then he will realize ‘what is truth’ and ‘what is untruth’ and ‘what is reality and what is unreality’ and be able to establish himself in the truth and able to view and judge, the three states, on the base of the invisible Soul, the Self.

The Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is the ultimate truth, or Brahman or God in truth.

Unfortunately, people are stuck with their accumulated ideas based on the false self, and imagine nonduality and say nothing exists other than the source. But a Gnani says everything exists (illusion), but everything is created out of a single stuff, and that single stuff is consciousness.

Everything arises from consciousness and subsides as consciousness. Thus, the whole diversity (three states) has no relevance, from the standpoint of the Soul, the Self, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Everything (illusion) is nothingness (consciousness), realizing the three states are created out of nothingness (Consciousness).

Nothingness is the nature of consciousness because there is no second thing that exists other than consciousness.

Religion, mysticism, and yoga are meant for the mass mindset, which is incapable of investigating and verifying their inherited beliefs.

The path of wisdom or truth is to get the pure essence of non-duality or Advaita.

The ultimate truth is based on the invisible Soul, the Self. Soul-centric reasoning leads one to non-dual Self-awareness.

There is a need to rectify the reasoning base from ego base to Soul base to understand, assimilate, and realize the Non-dualistic or Advaitic truth. :~Santthosh Kumaar 

Sage Sankara:-All names and forms are real when seen with the Brahman (Soul) but are false when seen independent of Brahman.+

Yoga Vasistha: ~ “Even as particles of sand floating in water settle down when the water is absolutely steady, the mind of the man who has gained the knowledge of truth settles down in total peace.

Yoga Vasistha: ~ “The sun and the worlds become non-objects of perception, to those who have gone beyond the realm of objective perception and knowledge, even as lamps lose their luminosity while the mid-day sun shines.

From the standpoint of the invisible Soul, the Self, the effect is non-different from the cause. However, in the realm of duality cause is different from the effect. The non-difference of the effect from the cause has to be grasped perfectly to realize, from the ultimate standpoint, that there is neither the cause nor the effect because the cause and effect are one, in essence. That essence is consciousness.

Sage Sankara says:~ If the cause is destroyed, the effect will no longer exist. For example, if from the effect, cotton cloth, the cause, threads, are removed, there will be no cloth, i.e., the cloth is destroyed. Similarly, if in the effect, the thread, the cause, cotton, is removed, there will be no thread, i.e., the thread is destroyed. (Brahmasūtra Bhashya, commentary on the Brahma-sutra- (9) 2.1.9)

Despite the non-difference between cause and effect, the effect has its Self in the cause but not the cause in the effect. The effect is of the nature of the cause and not the cause, the nature of the effect. Therefore, the qualities of the effect cannot touch the cause because the cause and effect are present only when the duality is present.

The duality is present only when there is an illusion. The illusion is there only when there is ignorance. When there is no ignorance, then there is no illusion. When there is no illusion, then there is no duality.

When there is no duality, then there is no cause and effect. When there is no cause and effect, then there is a non-dualistic reality.

Sage Sankara says:~ During the time of its existence, one can easily grasp that the effect is not different from the cause. However that the cause is different from the effect, which is not readily understood. As to this, it is not possible to separate cause from effect. But this is possible by imagining so. For example, the reflection of the gold ornament seen in the mirror is only the form of the ornament but is not the ornament itself, as it (the reflection) has no gold in it at all. All names and forms are real when seen with the Brahman, but are false when seen independent of Brahman (Soul). This was the seeker of truth establishes the non-difference of the effect from the cause.

In the context of Advaita Vedanta: ~ Jagat (the world) is not different from Brahman (Soul); however, Brahman (Soul) is different from Jagat.

It has not been possible to preach Advaitic Truth entirely free from the settings of dualistic weakness; it has not been more operative and useful to mankind at large because only a few will be able to grasp and realize it.

'To realize the Advaitic truth, a freer and fuller scope, the seeker has to realize that form, time, and space are one in essence. That essence is consciousness. The invisible Soul, the Self, is present in the form of consciousness.

To realize the Advaitic truth, the seeker has to be free from all superstitions and orthodox contaminations. The seeker has to be dedicated to acquiring Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana alone.'

A Gnani will easily appreciate that the high flights of Sage Sankara’s Advaitic wisdom are one of the most majestic structures and valuable products of the Genius of man in his search for Truth.

The Self is not the ‘I’. The Self is not within the body. The Self is the invisible Soul hidden by the ‘I’. The ‘I’ is ignorance. The ‘I’ is an illusion.

Remember:~

Bhagavad Gita: ~ “You must first see the ‘I’ as illusory before you see others as illusory. ~ CH.2 v.16

The seeker has to make sure what this ‘I’ is supposed to be. The seeker has to make sure the unreal nature of the ‘I’, which comes and goes, to realize the truth, which is hidden by the illusory form, time, and space.

That is why Bhagavad Gita: ~ The permanent is always there, only the transient ‘I’ comes and goes. (2.18)

The ‘I’ hides the invisible Soul, the Self, which is Brahman or God in truth.

People think the ‘I’ without the body is the Self. The seeker has to understand that ‘I’ is not the Self, but the witness of the ‘I’ is the true Self, which is eternal.

That is why Ashtavakra Gita 16:10:~ If you desire liberation, but you still say 'I', if you feel the Self is the ‘I’, you are not a wise man or a seeker. You are simply a man who suffers.

People are stuck with the reality of the ‘I’, which they take 'I' as real because some Gurus have propagated that the Self is the ‘I’. There is no need to convince such a mindset. The seeker of truth accepts only the truth, nothing but the truth.

That is why Sage Sankara says: - VC-65- As a treasure hidden underground requires (for its extraction) competent instruction, excavation, the removal of stones and other such things lying above it, and (finally) grasping, but never comes out by being (merely) called out by name, so the transparent Truth of the Self, which is hidden by Maya and its effects, is to be attained through the instructions of a knower of Brahman.

People refuse to accept anything other than their Guru's words. For them, their Guru's words are the ultimate truth. They do not accept anything other than their accepted truth. There is no need to convince such a mindset.

Such a mindset is not fit to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana, or Atma Gnana. The seekers of truth accept only the truth, nothing but the uncontradictable truth. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Sage Sankara :~ Yoga is not the means to Self-realization.+

Self-realization is not just a matter of literal or intellectual understanding, but something that is to be grasped and realized by the individual in his/her own personal realization.

Yogic practices will not help in acquiring Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana, or Atma Gnana.

Yogic practices help only in the repertory stages to be calm, to have patience and humility, and keep away unwanted thoughts.

Yoga is not the means to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana because yoga is based on the chakras. The chakras are within the body, whereas the invisible Soul, the Self, has no chakras because it is an ever-formless, timeless, and spaceless existence.

Sage Sankara said:~ Neither by the practice of yoga nor philosophy, nor by good works nor by learning, does liberation come, but only through the realization that Atman and Brahman are one in no other way.(1) Vivekachoodamani v 56, pg. 25

The practice of yoga is not recommended for seekers by the Sages of truth.

Sage Sankara in the commentary to "Brahma Sutras: ~ " "The highest beatitude is not to be attained by Yoga." (Sacred Books of the East Series page 298 Vol.1.) And he also says Samadhi is the same as sleep (p.312)- this indicates that yoga is not the means to Self-realization. And yogic Samadhi is not Advaitic Self-awareness.

Sage Sankara says: - Yoga is not the means of liberation (page 132-133 - Commentary on Brihadaranyakopanishad.

Yoga can yield only the duality because everything that one can do or practice becomes a vanishing 'known.' It yields relative truth based on imagination, which is true from the physical viewpoint of view, not the Advaitic truth, which is the ultimate reality.

The essence of Mundaka is: Do not be satisfied with rituals, yoga, etc., which are good in their own way, but inquire. Into what?

Brahman and Atman are things you can never see. So do not inquire into them. Inquire into the world around you, which you can see. Science tells you it is passing away every second. Everything is dying repeatedly. Where is it going?

Thus, you follow up your inquiry into what you can lay your hands on. How can you inquire into Atma, which you cannot see? So, first we deal with the known and seen; this inquiry leads up to the unknown in the end.

Belief in Yoga is a self-hypnotic condition out of which it is extremely difficult to escape.

The yogis say that only yoga leads to Self-realization.

The seeker has to investigate “Why Yoga is right and other paths can't give the truth?" Or how is one to know that Yoga leads to the final truth?"

Lord Krishna confesses that the oldest wisdom of India (Advaitic wisdom) has been lost: people misinterpret and falsify it today as they did then. It is not yoga but the philosophic truth. But nobody knows it. The teachers of philosophy and leaders of mysticism or religion do not want to inquire into truth and have no time for it. (Gita –Chap- IV-v.2)

In the Gita Chapter.IV, where Lord Krishna says::~ This yoga has been lost for ages." The word yoga refers to Gnana yoga, not other yogas: the force of the word is to point this out.

Lord Krishna describes some of the other yogas, but devotes this chapter separately to Gnana Yoga. So, one sees even in those ancient days, people did not care for Advaita; they wanted religion; hence, Gnana got lost. That is why Krishna calls it "the supreme secret." Krishna points out that yoga must see "Brahman in action."

Gita Chap.IV: "He who achieves perfection in Yoga finds the Self in time." This means that after his yoga is finished, he begins the inquiry into the ultimate truth, and in due course, this inquiry produces the realization of the universal Spirit or Soul as the result.

It is important to remember that Moksha is not a result of the yogic ritualistic practice.

The seeker has to be equipped with requisite qualities such as patience, humility, the ability to focus one's concentration in an intense manner, the ability to discriminate between the Real and the non-Real, and an intense urge for liberation.

First, realize the Self is not you, but the Self is the invisible Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. Mentally hold on to the invisible Soul and mentally reduce the world in which you exist as consciousness by realizing the world in which you exist is nothing but an illusion created out of consciousness.

Swami Vivekananda: ~ Jñāna Yoga is divided into three parts. First: hearing the truth--that the Atman is the only reality and that everything else is Maya. Second: reasoning upon this philosophy from all points of view. Third: giving up all further argumentation and realizing the truth. This realization comes from being certain that Brahman is real and everything else is unreal. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Bhagavad Gita says: ~ Among thousands of men, scarcely one strives for perfection; and of those who strive and succeed, scarcely one knows the ‘Self’ in truth.+

Bhagavad Gita says: ~ Among thousands of men, scarcely one strives for perfection; and of those who strive and succeed, scarcely one knows the ‘Self’ in truth.

The path of wisdom attracts only those who are in search of truth, and they appreciate it greatly. Ignorance is not spiritually mature to receive Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana, or Atma Gnana.

Ignorants indulge in argument and provocation, and personal attack, which hinders their own realization of the ultimate truth or Brahman.

That is why Jesus said: ~ - Do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. (Matthew 7:6)

~ Jesus meant knowledge of the Spirit, or Self-knowledge, or Brahma Gnana, or Atma Gnana.

Bhagavad Gita says: ~ “Don't unsettle the minds of the ignorant by revealing the esoteric truth."

As the conviction of the invisible Soul, the Self becomes firm, all the inherited religious conditioning false on its own.

First, realize the Self is not you, but the Self is the invisible Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Mentally hold on to the invisible Soul and mentally reduce the world in which you exist as consciousness by realizing the world in which you exist is nothing but an illusion created out of consciousness.

Swami Vivekananda: ~Jñāna Yoga is divided into three parts. First: hearing the truth--that the Atman is the only reality and that everything else is Maya. Second: reasoning upon this philosophy from all points of view. Third: giving up all further argumentation and realizing the truth. This realization comes from being certain that Brahman is real and everything else is unreal.

Katha Upanishad says: ~ This Atman is attained by him alone whom It chooses. (II -23-P-20)

Thus, those who have taken the path of wisdom are chosen ones. The chosen one will get the grace of the Soul, the inner Guru. The path of wisdom is the soulcentric path, whereas all other paths are egocentric. All egocentric paths lead to hallucination.

The Soul, the Self, reveals ‘what is real’ and ‘what is unreal” when the seeker is receptive and ready.

Until you hold the Self as you, you will remain ignorant. Those Gurus who propagate the ‘Self’ as ‘you’ are propagating ignorance. Following such Gurus is following the path of ignorance.

You have nothing to do with the Soul, the Self, because your existence is a reality within the illusory form, time, and space. Without the illusory form, time, and space, you cease to exist.

You are the birth entity bound by death, whereas the Soul is birthless and deathless because the Soul is an ever-formless, timeless, and spaceless existence.

That is why Sage Sankara says: ~ V C-65- As a treasure hidden underground requires (for its extraction) competent instruction, excavation, the removal of stones and other such things lying above it and (finally) grasping, but never comes out by being (merely) called out by name, so the transparent Truth of the Self, which is hidden by Maya and its effects, is to be attained through the instructions of a knower of Brahman.

Remember: ~

There is only one Reality to be known, the same for all seekers, but the ways to it are hidden by religion. Self-discovery is the only way toward the non-dualistic absolute without any religious doctrines, which will help the seekers to unfold the mystery of the illusion in which we all are searching for the truth of our true existence.

There is no higher or lower Self. There is only one Self, which is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. The world in which we exist is merely an illusion created out of the invisible Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Thus, the Soul alone is real, and all else is an illusion. Mentally hold on to the Soul and drop the illusion. And rest in the invisible Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Realizing the Self is not you, but the Self is the invisible and unborn Soul, as the Self is Self-realization. :~Santthosh Kumaar

You appeared along with the universe and you will disappear along with the universe. It is no use in knowing who you are? - instead, inquire into the nature of the universe.+

Sage Sankara: ~ “VC~ All this universe, which through ignorance appears as of diverse forms, is nothing else but Brahman (Consciousness) which is absolutely free from all the limitations of Maya.

You appeared along with the universe, and you will disappear along with the universe. No use to know who you are? - Instead, inquire into the nature of the universe.

Self-realization arises only when you realize the Self is not you, but the Self is the invisible Soul hidden by the illusory universe.

The experience of birth and death is a reality within the illusory universe or Maya. The illusory universe is created out of consciousness.

You are born along with the universe, and you are going to die along with the universe.

Prior to birth, there was only consciousness, and after death, consciousness alone prevails as eternal existence.

The illusory universe, along with you, seems to be real until ignorance dominates and its unreality is exposed.

The invisible Soul is not limited to an individual. The individuals are many, but the invisible Soul is one. The individual exists within the universe. The invisible Soul is the cause of the universe, and it, itself is uncaused.

The Soul is not within the human body. The universe is created out of a single stuff. That single stuff is the invisible Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Thus, whatever the universe contains is bound to be the invisible Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

In the dream world, the dream people appeared together and disappeared together and disappeared together. Similarly, the waking world and waking people appeared together and disappeared together.

Thus, the dream is created out of single stuff, and that stuff is the invisible Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. In the same way, the waking experience is also created out of single stuff. And that single stuff is consciousness.

The invisible Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is the cause of the three states, and it itself is uncaused.

The many soul theories are religious and yogic fables based on the false self(ego) and false experience (waking).

Knowledge of the single stuff is Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Like an ornament made from gold is Gold, that which is born out of consciousness is consciousness. Like gold is a permanent thing, in ornaments made of gold, similarly, the mind, which is in the form of the universe, is born out of consciousness, is consciousness in its essence:~ Santthosh Kumaar

There is no need to discuss and argue, and exchange opinions in the Atmic path.+

The seeker has to make sure his views and judgment based on the ego will not yield truth hidden by the ‘I’, which is the dualistic illusion.

The seeker has to learn to view and judge the worldview from the standpoint of the Soul, the ‘Self’, then only he will be able to unfold the mystery hidden by the dualistic illusion(universe).

There is no need to discuss and argue, and exchange opinions in the Atmic path.,

If one is seeking truth there is no need to discuss no need to argue but read and think and reason deeply, the truth will start revealing on its own. Be an independent thinker.

Do not accept anything without verification. The seeker should not argue and waste his time. The argument will not yield truth.

Only the intellectuals argue to exhibit their intellectual wealth. The intellectual argument is based on ego. Egocentric intellectuality is limited to form, time, and space. The truth you are seeking is based on the Soul.

The Soul is hidden by the illusory form, time, and space. Thus, what is the use of the egocentric argument in the soulcentric discussion?

That is why Buddha said: ~ Believe nothing because a wise man said it, Believe nothing because it is generally held. Believe nothing because it is written. Believe nothing because it is said to be divine. Believe nothing because someone else said it. But believe only what you, yourself, judge to be true

Advaitic Wisdom consists in knowing the truth that everything (mind or physical existence) is consciousness. The freedom (ultimate truth) is always there, yet one does not know it. But to those whose reason is turned away from physicality and who have attained the serenity of the Soul or the consciousness, the Self, are quite near to realizing the ultimate truth or Brahman.

Ashtavakra: ~ Diamonds are not many; only pebbles and rocks are so common. A single diamond is enough.

Intellectuals argue, if everything is consciousness, how can one give up anything? Can you give up anything? These types of questions are speculation based on the waking entity (ego), which is the false self within the false experience.

Without knowing that the ‘Self is not the form but the Self is formless, it is impossible to realize the truth, which is beyond form, time, and space.

All their speculation is limited to the domain of form, time, and space, whereas the truth is beyond form, time, and space. They are incapable of understanding and assimilating truth, which is the ever-formless, timeless, and spaceless existence. They refuse to verify, and they want the truth on their own terms. :  ~ Santthosh Kumaar