It takes time for the egocentric subconscious to accept the Soulcentric Advaitic truth.+

If you hold on to the teachings of the physical Gurus, you are holding on to ignorance. The real Guru is not physical but the invisible Soul, the Self.

Come ye slow, or come ye fast; it is but the Soul, the Advaita that reveals itself at last.

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

Your urge is at the seed level. As you go on reading the words of wisdom, it will start growing.

It takes time for the egocentric subconscious to accept the Soulcentric Advaitic truth.

The Advaitic Truth is very simple, but it is very difficult to grasp because of ignorance.

There is no need to search for the truth because the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is the ultimate truth.

Only when the conviction of the invisible Soul becomes firm then only you will be able to accept the world in which you exist is nothing but consciousness.

You have to realize that the world in which you exist is created out of a single clay. And that single clay is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Thus, you and your body and the world in which you exist are nothing but consciousness. They cease to exist without consciousness.

You have to think and reason deeply. Thus, you and your body and the world in which you exist are nothing but consciousness because they are merely an illusion created out of consciousness. A perfect understanding of ‘what is what’ is needed.

Perfect understanding and assimilation of ‘what is what’ leads to a perfect conviction of ‘What is the truth?' and ‘What is the untruth?. Perfect conviction of the truth leads to Advaitic awareness.

Sage Sankara says - VC-162- There is no liberation for a person of mere book-knowledge, howsoever well-read in the philosophy of Vedanta, so long as one does not give up the false identification with the body, sense organs, etc., which are unreal.

Yoga Vasistha says:~ Self-knowledge or knowledge of truth is not had by resorting to a Guru (preceptor) nor by the study of scripture, nor by good works: it is attained only using inquiry inspired by the company of wise (Gnani). One’s inner light alone is the means, naught else. When this inner light is kept alive, it is not affected by the darkness of inertia.

Everyone thinks of himself as a Guru, and he is competent because ~

He has mastered the scriptures.

or

He has studied under a famous Guru

or

He has performed all religious rituals and led an orthodox-oriented life, and he has accumulated good karma.

or

He has a Ph.D. in world philosophy from a famous university

or

He is a scientist, but he is well-versed in the Vedas.

or

He is the disciple of the famous Guru

or

He has done penance in the Himalayas.

or

He has gone without food for years

or

He has renounced worldly life and takes sanyasa

or

He has done lots of charity

or

He is well-versed in tantra, and he got enlightenment through sex

or

His Guru gave him the power to transmit enlightenment to others

or

He is a hata yogi.

None of the above qualifies to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana, or Atma Gnana. From the Advaitic perspective, all these things have no value. :~Santthosh Kumaar

Brahman alone pervades everything above and below; this universe is that Supreme Brahman alone.+

The presence of the universe is no obstacle to Gnani‘s realization; he does not need yogic Samadhi, but yogi has imagined Brahman as blankness or thoughtlessness, thus, he is still in the grip of the dualistic illusion. Thus, Yogic Brahman is but a thought.

The ultimate truth is not a thought, but the ultimate truth is prior to the form, time, and space. The thought arises only in the domain of form, time, and space.

Thus, the ultimate truth is beyond the form, time, and space. One has to realize the invisible Soul, the Self, is prior to the form, time, and space.

The invisible Soul, the Self, is the fullness of consciousness without the division of form, time, and space. The fullness of consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman.

The yogi who wrongly thinks there is Brahman to be got may attempt to do so, and may think he sees it, but all the time he is under the delusion of the duality because he holds Self as himself, thinking Brahman to be something different from the invisible Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Limiting the mind (I) to the physical entity is the cause of all confusion. Therefore, there is A need to know ‘what is the mind? and ‘What is the substance of the mind?’, and ‘What is the source of the mind?’ to overcome all the confusion.

Deeper self-search reveals that man and the world exist within the mind, and the mind itself is the universe.

By limiting the mind to the physical entity (ego or waking entity or you) and viewing and judging the worldview, makes one thinks that he is apart from the world, which is the cause of experiencing the dualistic illusion as a reality.

There is neither a projector nor a projection when one becomes aware of the formless witness of the three states.

The invisible Soul, the Self, is the witness; the Soul is present in the form of consciousness. Consciousness pervades everything and everywhere in all three states as their formless clay. Thus, no second thing exists other than consciousness in all three states.

The mind (world) is non-existent from the standpoint of the invisible Soul, the Self, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Consciousness is the invisible cause and source of the three states. And the cause and the source of the three states are one, in essence.

Thus, no second thing exists other than consciousness. Consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman, or God in truth.

To realize this simple truth one need not go to any Guru, one need not lose oneself in the labyrinth of philosophy; one need not spend his lifetime indulging in glorifying the Guru and God, one need not search truth in the books, one need not renounce his family life. One has to be in the world but not of this world.

It is because of our inherited samskara or conditioning that we are carrying the baggage of mental junk. We have to burn all the junk that is blocking our realization of the ultimate truth or Brahman.

If one is seeking truth, nothing but truth, one has to drop worshiping and glorifying the physical Gurus. Glorifying Guru and Gods is for those ignorant who are not seeking the truth.  :~ Santthosh Kumaar

Sage Gaudapada: - The non-dual Atman is realized when the individual self (jiva) is awakened from its ignorance.+

Sage Gaudapada: - The non-dual Atman is realized when the individual self (jiva) is awakened from its ignorance. Atman is unborn, dreamless, sleepless, and motionless; and is beyond duality. It is cognition at its purest. It is Brahman- Ayam Atma Brahma, this Atma is that Brahma; Thus epitomizing the core of Upanishad teachings.

Sage Gaudapada expands further on these states of consciousness. The Self is AUM. It represents manifest and un-manifest aspects of Brahman. It is the single syllable that symbolizes and embodies Brahman, the Absolute Reality. It is the Pranava that pervades all existence and is our very life-breath.

Vaisvanara in waking state is A the first part of AUM, One, who realizes this, attains his desires.

Teijasa in the dream state is U the second part of AUM. One, who realizes this, attains knowledge.

Prajna in deep sleep is M the third part of AUM, concluding the sounds of the earlier two parts. One, who realizes this, attains a compressive understanding of all.

The Syllable AUM in its entirety stands for the fourth state, Turiya the one beyond the phenomenal existence, supremely blissful and non-dual.

AUM in its integral whole stands for the fourth state which is transcendental, devoid of phenomenal existence; and is the source of all existence. AUM represents the ultimate reality. AUM is thus verily the Self itself. One who realizes this merges into that Self. Meditate on AUM as the Self.:~Santthosh Kumaar

Manduka Karika:- Sage Gaudapada wrote or compiled the Manduka Karika, also known as the Sage Gaudapada Karika.+

Manduka Karika:- Sage Gaudapada wrote or compiled the Manduka Karika, also known as the Sage  Gaudapada Karika and as the Agama Śāstra. 

The Manduka Karika is a commentary in verse form on the Manduka Upanishad, one of the shortest but most profound Upanishads, or mystical Vedas, consisting of just 13 prose sentences. 

In Sage Sankara’s time, it was considered to be a Sruti, but not particularly important. In later periods it acquired a higher status, and eventually, it was regarded as expressing the essence of the Upanishad philosophy.

The Manduka Karika is the earliest extant systematic treatise on Advaita Vedanta, though it is not the oldest work to present Advaita views, nor the only pre-Sankara work with the same type of teachings.

Sage Gaudapada took over the Buddhist doctrines that "that the nature of the world is the four-cornered negation”. Sage Gaudapada "wove [both doctrines] into a philosophy of the Manduka Upanishad, which was further developed by Sage Sankara.":~Santthosh Kumaar

It is true that some of Buddha's disciples misunderstood and misinterpreted him.+

Buddha also holds that this world which changes from moment to moment is not real, it is only a reflection, and the thing of which it is the reflection alone is real. 

Buddha was not an atheist. He never denied reality. There is nothing in his words or teaching to show that he considered truth to be non-existent, like the horns of a hare. He could not have held the foolish view that something came out of nothing. It is true that some of Buddha's disciples misunderstood and misinterpreted him. His idea was that the truth which cannot be designated by a name or described is words, and of which one cannot even say whether it exists or non-extent, is like non-existent. The idea is quietly in agreement with the view of the Upanishads.

An object which cannot even be talked about, is, for all practical purposes, as good as non-extent. But it is not non-existent in the sense that the son of a barren woman is non-existent. This subtle idea, Buddha's contemporaries, and even his disciples fail to catch. In one passage the Buddha says clearly: Srmana Gautama was an atheist. It is the annihilation of the non-existence of truth that he teaches. So will people attribute to my atheism, which is not mine? So will they ascribe me to the theory of non-existence, which again is not mine?

From these similar statements of Buddha, it is clear that he was not an atheist. All philosophers old and new, arrive at the same point. 

 

Orthodox Advaita (monosim) is inevitable; the people of thoughtful temperament cannot find peace and quietude until they do so. Moksha (liberation) is in the realization of oneness with God. 

They speak of God Goddesses, devotion, and devotees, only in an inaccurate way only from the standpoint of dvaithi. After realizing oneness with God, there is no distinction between God and devotee, and the word "devotion" has no meaning. :~Santthosh Kumaar

Every householder irrespective of any caste or religion is qualified to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.+

Yoga Vasistha says: ~ Self-knowledge or knowledge of truth is not had by resorting to a Guru (preceptor) nor by the study of scripture, nor by good works: it is attained only through inquiry inspired by the company of wise (Gnani). One’s inner light alone is the means, naught else. When this inner light is kept alive, it is not affected by the darkness of inertia.

Only an intense urge and sharpness to grasp seriousness and humility are the qualifications to acquire Self-knowledge, or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Every householder, irrespective of any caste or religion, is qualified to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

The caste ~ does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

The religion ~ does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Yoga ~ does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Tantra~ does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Mantra~ does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Singing devotional songs ~ does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Belief and worship of mythical Gods ~ do not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Belief in superstition or dogmas ~ does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Rituals ~ do not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Customs or tradition ~ do qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Wearing the Religious robe or symbol ~ does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Meditations~ do not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Hearing sermons ~ does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Bathing in the holy river~ does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.m

Visiting Ashrams and retreats ~ does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Walking up the mountain in search of truth ~ does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Worship of personal Gods and Goddesses ~does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Having a Guru ~ does qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Following any tradition or parampara ~ does qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Serving the Guru ~ does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Studying the scriptures and philosophy ~ does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Learning Sanskrit ~ does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Initiation of any sort~ does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Spending money in order to realize the truth ~ does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Taking vows to start the journey. ~ does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

The grace of physical Guru ~ does not qualify you to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Drop all that is not needed for Self-realization.

Remember:~

Every human being is qualified to acquire the knowledge of Braham Gnana or Atma Gnana.

That is why Sage Sankara said:~ Talk as much philosophy as you like, worship as many Gods as you please, observe ceremonies, and sing devotional hymns, but liberation will never come, even after a hundred aeons, without realizing the Oneness.

If you are a truth seeker, then it is better to spend time discovering the facts about your own existence than waste precious time attending Satsang, meeting Gurus and yogis, traveling from one place to another by reading book after book, by staying in Ashrams, and by walking in the Himalayas.

Sage Sankara says ~ VC-162- There is no liberation for a person of mere book knowledge, howsoever well-read in the philosophy of Vedanta, so long as one does not give up the false identification with the body, sense organs, etc., which are unreal.

People dwelling in ignorance, but thinking themselves wise and erudite, go round and round by various blind beliefs and tortuous paths and practices, like the blind led by the blind. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar 

Acquiring Advaitic wisdom or Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is the main aim of every seeker of truth. +

Acquiring Advaitic wisdom or Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is the main aim of every seeker of truth.

Since everyone thinks of the waking entity (ego) as the self, their aim is misdirected, and they focus their attention on materiality, which makes one feel the duality (waking state) as reality.

In pursuit of truth, the ultimate truth has to be proved, not assumed. The individual experience of bliss is not Brahmic bliss or Atmic bliss.

Individual truth is not a universal truth. An individual cannot claim that he has experienced the whole.

There is no proof he has seen it because the whole is not an individual experience.

The man and the world are within the whole. Therefore, such claims of experiencing the invisible Soul, the Self, are hallucinations because the whole cannot be experienced because the experience of form, time, and space are merely an illusion created out of the Soul or Consciousness.

All claims of experiencing (anubava) the Self are a falsehood because experience implies duality, and duality is a falsehood from the ultimate standpoint.

Thus, 'Self 'or 'Brahman' cannot be experienced because it is prior to any experience, and there is no second thing that exists other than consciousness.

The Self has to be realized by getting rid of ignorance through Advaitic wisdom.: .:~Santthosh Kumaar