One should not hold a god as the center of the existence without knowing what God really is.+

People make religious God and their master or Guru as the center of their existence. They are hallucinating about their idea of God and Master or Guru. Such people will never be able to overcome the ignorance.

The path of wisdom is not suitable for those who believe in their religion, their idea of God, and their faith in the physical Guru or Master. Such people must tread their own chosen path, which gives them satisfaction.

Mixing up religion and the religious idea of God and trying to impose their religious idea of God will make them permanent prisoners of ignorance.

One should not hold a god as the center of existence without knowing what God really is.

Lord Krishna says: ~ Ch~V .“Those who know the Self in truth." The last two words (tattvataha) are usually ignored by pundits, but they make all the difference between the ordinary concept of God and the truth about God.

Bhagavad Gita: ~ Brahmano hi pratisthaham- Brahman (God) is considered the all-pervading consciousness (Spirit) which is the basis of all the animate and inanimate entities and material (Gita 14.27).

The religious Gods exist within the domain of the dualistic illusion (waking).

The religious Gods exist separately from the world in which man exists. Separation implies duality. The duality always implies a contradiction. From the nondualistic perspective, the duality is merely an illusion.

Thus, the world in which man exists is within the domain of the duality. Thus, the world in which man exists is merely a dualistic illusion.

The dualistic illusion is created out of a single stuff and that single stuff is the invisible Soul, which is present in the form of the Spirit.

Thus, the Spirit (consciousness) alone is real and eternal. The Spirit is the ultimate truth. The ultimate truth is God in truth.

From the standpoint of the invisible Soul, the Self, the religious Gods cease to exist because the invisible Soul, which is the form of the Spirit itself, is God. All the religious Gods are myth-based on blind belief.

Religious Gods are objects; therefore, the invisible Soul, the Self, contradicts such imaginary Gods who depend upon the Spirit for their existence.

Every religion has its own idea of God or Gods. When there are two, then there is contradiction one cannot find non-contradiction in this dualistic world.

A Gnani boldly declares that the religious God does not exist, because Such a God's existence implies that the invisible Soul, the Self different from God.

The Bible says:~ God is a Spirit, and they that worship God must worship God in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)

Yajurveda – chapter- 32:~ God is Supreme Spirit has no ‘Pratima’ (idol) or material shape. God cannot be seen directly by anyone. God pervades all beings and all directions.

Thus, Idolatry does not find any support from the Vedas.

The Vedas exclaim from time immemorial: ~ Rig Veda, 1-164-146. Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti, Existence is One.

Rig Veda: ~ The Atman (Soul) is the cause; Atman is the support of all that exists in this universe. May ye never turn away from the Atman, the Self. May ye never accept another God in place of the Atman nor worship other than the Atman?" (10:48, 5)

The Upanishads say in effect that: ~ if you believe that the invisible Soul is one and God (Brahman) is another, you cannot understand Truth.

If you think there is another entity, whether man or God there is no truth.

God is one and universal. God is the Spirit. The Spirit is the invisible Soul, the Self.

God is the invisible and unborn Soul, the Self. The invisible Soul is the Supreme Being, the One eternal homogeneous essence, indivisible consciousness and intelligence, which is beyond form, time, and space. To which the Sages describe in a variety of ways through diverse words.

Any kind of difference means contradiction. Nothing exists other than the invisible Soul, which is present in the form of the Spirit.

Advaita means the negation of the second thing. "Neti, Neti," not this, not this means ~ Negation of the second thing other than the Spirit, which is God in truth.

Every word we utter we are uttering within the dualistic illusion. The dualistic illusion is not permanent.

The way of negating "It is not this, not that" is also a way of defining, or conveying the meaning of Reality as much as any positive definition. One has to mentally distinguish the real from the unreal.

The seeker has to go on negating the unreal world in which we exist by realizing the invisible Soul, which is present in the form of the Spirit (consciousness), which is real and eternal.

The ‘Spirit’ is the cause of the universe in which we exist, and it, itself, is uncaused.

To find the Advaitic truth, which is beyond form, time, and space, is to eliminate the form, time, and space mentally by realizing that the form, time, and space are merely an illusion created out of the Spirit.

The form, time, and space are Spirit in their essence. Thus, the Spirit alone is real and eternal.

The Spirit is the ultimate truth, and the ultimate truth is God in truth. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

The urge to know the truth cannot be imposed on others. It has to sprout within.+

It is no use arguing with the dualist and intellectuals because they are right from their own standpoint. 

The pursuit of truth interests only a few. The ultimate truth or Advaitic truth is not the product to sell in the spiritual supermarket. One should not ‘throw Advaitic pearls before swine’.

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 the knowledge of the Spirit or Self-knowledge should not be shared with unqualified people.

Jesus said: ~"Those who seek should not stop seeking until they find. When they find, they will be disturbed. When they are disturbed, they will marvel, and will reign over all." (Gospel of Thomas 2)

Jesus said: ~” Know what is in front of your face, and what is hidden from you will be disclosed to you. (The Gospel of  Thomas- Saying 5)

Consciousness (Spirit) is the root element of the universe. From consciousness, the universe comes into existence. In consciousness, the universe resides. And into consciousness, the universe is dissolved.  Consciousness is the parent of all that is there.

The urge to know the truth cannot be imposed on others. It has to sprout within. 

One need not become a holy shepherd because the holy Shepard is hidden within to guide every seeker. 

If one is aiming to be a master, Guru, or teacher, they will never reach their destination. 

One has to share their knowledge with the fellow seeker, not to make them their followers, but only direct them if they are interested in traveling beyond form, time, and space.

It is foolish to impose our ideas on others because everyone is not on the same level of understanding. Everyone's inner work is on. 

When they are ripe enough they will understand, assimilate and realize on their own. If they are ready and sharp enough they will grasp it instantly and they will reach their destination with lesser time and effort. 

Thus, preaching and teaching are not a tool to acquire Advaitic wisdom, but by very careful reasoning, the seeker has to determine the nature of reality. 

Thinking in the right direction alone helps the seeker determine the nature of reality.

The sugar cannot know itself its sweetness. The true Self without ignorance is without the experience of duality or illusion. Thus, one has to base on the sugar, not on its sweetness. Without the sugar, there is no sweetness. Similarly, without the invisible consciousness, the three states cease to exist as a reality.

The urge to know the truth cannot be imposed on others. It has to sprout within. One need not become a Guru because the Guru is hidden within to guide every seeker. 

If one is aiming to be a master, Guru, or teacher, they will never reach their destination. 

One has to share his knowledge with the fellow seeker not to make them his followers, but only direct them if they are interested in mentally traveling beyond form, time, and space. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

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