Sage Sankara is the final authority on Advaitic wisdom. Self-realization is very simple.+

Sage Sankara is the final authority on Advaitic wisdom. Self-realization is very simple. We make it complicated by mixing diverse theories, different teachings of different gurus, different ideologies, religion, and yoga.

All our accumulated knowledge is the greatest hindrance in the pursuit of truth. To realize the truth beyond form, time, and space, one must have the courage of Buddha. Buddha got enlightenment only after dropping the religion, the Vedas, and the concept of God.

To realize the simple truth, there is no need to go from one mountain to another, one Ashram to another, or worship the Godmen or Guru as a God, or convert from one faith to another. The truth is universal. Anyone can realize it if they have an intense urge.

There is no second thing that exists other than consciousness. In the world in which we exist, all our thoughts, words, beliefs, and experiences are nothing but consciousness. Realizing that consciousness is everything, is truth realization, or Self-realization, or God-realization.

Remember:~

Yoga Vasistha:~ "Teachers, interpretations of sacred texts, the force of religious merit--none of these lead to the realization of that Ultimate Truth which is revealed in the clear reflection of the Self, engendered from contact with Gnanis."

Sage Sankara: ~ ‘Reality can be realized only with the eye of understanding, not just by a scholar. What the moon is like must be seen with one's own eyes. How can others do it for you?"~Vivekachoodamani

Remember:~

It is impossible to find and realize the ‘Self’ through ‘I-centric gurus and their teaching.

The seeker has to use his reason (Buddhi) to realize the truth hidden by ignorance. Ignorance is present in the form of the ‘I’.

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

Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana has nothing to do with the ‘I-centric' or You-centric’ Gurus and their teachings.

Remember, the ‘I’ is not an individual because the ‘I’ is the whole universe. Limiting the ‘I’ to individuality is the cause of experiencing the dualistic illusion of reality?

The nature of the ‘I’ is the nature of the mind.

The nature of the mind is the nature of the universe.

The nature of the universe is the nature of the waking state.

The nature of the waking state is the nature of the illusion.

Thus, it is necessary to study the nature of the ‘I’ to unfold the mystery of the universe.

All the teachings limit the ‘I’ to an individual and glorify the ‘I’ without knowing what this ‘I’ is supposed to be in actuality. All ‘I’ based teachings are inadequate and useless for the serious seeker of truth.

If you are seeking truth, nothing but the truth must be discarded without mercy, such teaching to progress in your spiritual quest.

The seeker must know that the ‘I’ is not limited to individuality. The seeker has to see the ‘I’ as the universe, to overcome ignorance. When the Advaitic wisdom dawns, then ignorance vanishes.

When ignorance vanishes and the dualistic illusion (world) you used to think it as reality becomes unreal.  : ~Santthosh Kumaar

WHO AM I? - inquiry and ‘I AM those teachings are based on the individual within the illusory universe.+

If one has realized what this 'I' is in actuality, then he will realize ‘WHO AM I? or ‘I AM THAT'- teachings are inadequate and useless to realize the truth hidden by the 'I'.

WHO AM I? - inquiry and ‘I AM those teachings are based on the individual within the illusory universe.

WHO AM I?’ or ‘I AM THAT’ reveal only half-truths because they are limited to individuality, and individuality is part and parcel of the illusory universe.

The ego is individuality, whereas the invisible Soul, the Self, is not an individual because it is a formless, timeless, and spaceless existence. Thus, the journey is incomplete.

The seeker has to go much deeper to know the nondual truth about the Self, which is hidden by the 'I'.

The form, time, and space together are the 'I'. Without the 'I', the form, time, and space cease to exist.

Why are you saying I AM THAT when the Self is not you, but the Soul is hidden by the ‘I’?

You are saying I AM THAT within the world in which you exist. The world in which you exist is the dualistic illusion or Maya.

What is the use of saying I AM THAT within the dualistic illusion or Maya?

Remember:~

The dualistic illusion or Maya hides the Self. Realize the Self is not you but the invisible Soul, which is present in the form of the consciousness.

The dualistic illusion or Maya is present in the form of the ‘I’. The ‘I’ appears and disappears. The Self is not the ‘I’. The invisible Soul, the Self, is always present, but is hidden by the ‘I’.

Advaita is the treasure hidden by the Dvaita. Advaita is the invisible and unborn Soul, the Self, and the Dvaita is the ‘I’. Advaita is present in the form of consciousness. Dvaita is present in the form of the universe.: : ~ Santthosh Kumaar 

There is no need to read books or here sermons to realize the truth, which is ever nondual.+

There is no need to read books or hear sermons to realize the truth, which is ever nondual.

Astavakra: ~ “My child, you may speak upon various scriptures or hear the sermons on the scriptures. But you cannot establish in the ‘Self’ unless you forget all. 16-1 – p49

Lecture consisting of a shower of ornamental words, the skill in expounding the accumulated bookish knowledge, and likewise erudition - these merely bring on a little personal enjoyment to the scholar, but it is not Gnana or wisdom.

The accumulated scriptural and bookish knowledge is useless so long as the highest Truth is unknown, and it is equally useless when the highest Truth has already been known. Hence, men of wisdom should earnestly set about knowing the true nature of the Self.

To get rid of ignorance, the only remedy is Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana, or Atma Gnana. There is no need to study the scriptures to get rid of ignorance. The scriptures themselves declare this valuable truth.

Without direct realization, one cannot be liberated from experiencing the dualistic illusion as reality.

Remember:~

Swami Vivekananda: ~ “Advaita encompasses everything. Since Advaita requires heavy-duty intellectualism, it had to be progressively simplified. (From 'The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda)

Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is not based on any teaching or teacher. The Pursuit of truth is the pursuit of verification, not the pursuit of argument. Intellectual discussion can be a significant hindrance in the pursuit of truth.

That which is unreal, that is duality, cannot contradict the truth of non-duality. It cannot be counted as an adversary of non-duality. The illusion cannot oppose reality, the substratum. It can at best lead to the mistaking of the substratum. Perfect understanding is the only way to overcome ignorance. : : ~Santthosh Kumaar

By stopping the thoughts through yogic samadhi, ignorance will not vanish.+

By stopping the thoughts through yogic samadhi, ignorance will not vanish.

Thoughtlessness is not wisdom. The thoughts and the thinker and the world in which the thinker exists belong to the dualistic illusion.

Some gurus say Find out to whom these thoughts come?’ But such an inquiry will not help to unfold the mystery of the ‘I’.

The thoughts have nothing to do with the invisible  Soul, the Self, which is an ever-formless, timeless, and spaceless existence.

Without the form, time, and space, the thought will not be formed. The thought rises only to the waking entity or dream entity. Without the waking entity or dream entity, the thoughts will not arise.

Deeper self-search reveals that the Self is neither the waking entity nor the dream entity, but the Self is the invisible Soul or consciousness, which witnesses the coming and going of the three states.

The three states have nothing to do with the invisible Soul, the Self, because the three states are an illusion created out of the invisible Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Thus, the thoughtless is not wisdom. The thought, the thinker, and the world are created out of a single clay, and that clay is consciousness. That essence is consciousness; thus, the thought, the thinker, and the world are part of the illusion. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar 

Ignorance is present in the form of the ‘I'.+

One should not wish for the easy way to search for the truth. In an easy way, there is ignorance. Ignorance is inborn.

Ignorance is present in the form of the ‘I'. Ignorance has been nourished and passed on from one generation to the next.

Without getting rid of this inborn ignorance, it is impossible to realize the ultimate truth or Brahman.

The world in which we exist (waking) is the product of ignorance. The world, in which we exist, ceases to exist without ignorance.

In Self-awareness, there is neither man nor the world because the world in which we exist is an illusion created out of the invisible Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. The invisible Soul is the Self.

From the standpoint of the invisible Soul, the Self, the man+world is merely an illusion.

Ignorance is present in the form of the ‘T’. 'I' is present in the form of the mind. The Mind is present in the form of the universe.

The universe appears in the form of the waking or the dream (duality) and disappears as deep sleep (non-duality)

The ‘I’ is inborn samskara or conditioning; because of this inborn samskara or conditioning, the illusion is experienced as reality.

Remember:~

The invisible Soul without the ‘I’ is God. God is hidden by ‘I’.

Remember, the ‘I’ is not an individual because the ‘I’ is the whole universe.

Limiting the ‘I’ to individuality is the cause of experiencing the dualistic illusion of reality?

The nature of the ‘I’ is the nature of the mind.

The nature of the mind is the nature of the universe.

The nature of the universe is the nature of the waking.

The nature of the waking is the nature of the illusion.

Thus, it is necessary to study the nature of the ‘I’ to unfold the mystery of the universe.

All the teachings limit the ‘I’ to an individual and glorify the ‘I’ without knowing what this ‘I’ is supposed to be in actuality. All ‘I’ based teachings are inadequate and useless for the serious seeker of truth.

If you are seeking truth, nothing but the truth must be discarded without mercy, such teaching to progress in your spiritual quest.

The seeker must know that the ‘I’ is not limited to individuality. The seeker has to see the ‘I’ as the universe, to overcome ignorance. When the Advaitic wisdom dawns, then ignorance vanishes.

When ignorance vanishes and the dualistic illusion (world) you used to think it as reality becomes unreal :~Santthosh Kumaar

When the nondual real nature of the ‘I’ is exposed through Advaitic wisdom, then it is called Moksha.+

Religious orthodox think that through their good karma and performing rituals, they get moksha.

There are two kinds of audiences - the ordinary ones who desire the transitory heaven and other pleasures obtained as a result of ritual sacrifices, and the most advanced seeker who seeks to know the truth beyond form, time, and space. 

The religious orthodoxy is meant for the first audience, to help lead its followers along the way. The Atmic path, with emphasis on Advaitic wisdom, is meant for those who wish to go beyond such transient pleasures.

Although Sage Sankara puts the mystic goal highest in his mystical books, he is careful to say that this goal leads to Brahman, not that it is realization.

That is why Sage Sankara: ~ VC- Let erudite scholars quote all the scripture, let Gods be invoked through sacrifices, let elaborate rituals be performed, let personal Gods be propitiated---yet, without the realization of one‘s identity with the Self, there shall be no liberation for the individual, not even in the lifetimes of a hundred Brahmas put together (verses-6)

In the Advaita perspective, moksha is synonymous with the invisible Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness (Brahman)

Sruti says "brahmavit brahmaiva Bhavati" ~ He who knows Brahman (Soul) becomes Brahman (Soul) Itself.

The real Moksha is freedom from the ‘I’. The ‘I’ is the cause of ignorance. Ignorance is the cause of experiencing the dualistic illusion as reality.

The dualistic illusion is present in the form of the ‘I’.

The ‘I’ is present in the form of the mind.

The mind is present in the form of form, time, and space.

The form, time, and space are present in the form of the universe.

The universe appears as the waking or dream.

The individual experiences of birth, life, death, and the world are happening within the waking experience.

But remember:~

The ‘I’ disappears in deep sleep.

There is no mind without the ‘I’

There is no form, time, and  space without the ‘I’

There is no universe without the ‘I’.

There is waking without the ‘I’

There is only the invisible and unborn   Soul, the witness of the ‘I’.

When the nondual real nature of the ‘I’ is exposed through Advaitic wisdom, then it is called Moksha. : ~Santthosh Kumaar 

Religious Gurus are not Gnanis; they propagate only religion. Religion is not Spirituality or Adyathma.+

Religious Gurus are not Gnanis; they propagate only religion. Religion is not Spirituality or Adyathma.

Religious Gurus do not propagate wisdom; they are meant to guide the ignorant populace in practical life within the practical world.

Many Religious gurus are serving humanity by giving free education and maintaining love and harmony in society, but they have nothing to do with the Atmic path.

The Guru has nothing to do with Advaitic wisdom. A Gnani never identifies himself as a guru.

There are so many in the guise of Gurus and Godmen with criminal records who indulge in cheating, rape, and murder.

The Gurus and Godmen who promise instant enlightenment or Self-realization are not Gnanis. Mixing religion with the Atmic path is like mixing oil in the water.

Seekers from the west mistake whoever calls them gurus are Gnanis; thus, their mission of seeking the truth is misguided by such Gurus.

Those mystics who talk of experiencing the supreme reality do not know that the word experience implies something else, a second to be experienced, i.e., duality, i.e., non-reality, and those who talk of "direct knowledge" of reality again do not perceive that knowledge implies a second thing to be known; i.e., duality exists. i.e., no reality here!

The Guru and disciple, and the world in which Guru and disciple exist, are created out of a single stuff. That single stuff is consciousness. Consciousness is the ultimate truth of Brahman.

By identifying as a Guru or some Guru’s disciple keeps one in the cage of ignorance. A person who identifies himself as a Guru or disciple will never be able to get Advaitic Gnana.

Guru-disciple concept is meant for the religious and yogic path. In the Atmic path, the Guru and disciple concept has no value.

A person who realized the ultimate truth or Brahman will throw off his religious robe and all religious identity and live like a commoner. He never identifies himself as Gnani, nor does he identify himself as superior to others. He only shares his knowledge with fellow seekers.

A Gnani never identifies himself as a Guru or a Yogi, or as some Guru's disciple. The one who accepts himself as a Guru or someone’s disciple is not a Gnani.

Ashtavakra Samhita: ~ "The man of knowledge (Gnani), though living like an ordinary man, is contrary to him, and only those like him understand his state.

A Gnani can point at the sky, but the seeing of the star is the seeker's own work.

The truth-seeker seeks only the truth. The inner Sage will guide you with love. Your sincerity and seriousness lead you to your inner core. The sincere and serious seekers are not excluded.

All the chosen ones will get freedom from experiencing the illusion (duality) as a reality. All the seekers of truth are chosen ones.

Katha Upanishads: ~ This Atman is attained by him alone whom It chooses. To such a one, Atman reveals its own form. (II -23-P-20)

All the chosen ones will get freedom from experiencing the illusion (duality) as a reality. All the seekers of truth are chosen ones.

Sage Sankara: ~ "Though I wear these robes of a Sanyasin, it is only for the sake of bread." (Select Works of Sage Sankara, also his commentary on the Brihad)

Thus, the above passage proves that all those who wear the sanyasin robes are wearing them for the sake of bread and belong to the religion; they have nothing to do with the Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. There is no need to criticize and condemn the Gurus, yogis, and swamis because they are needed for the welfare of the ignorant masses in the dualistic world.

Sage Sankara says the transparent Truth of the Self, which is hidden by the illusion, is to be attained through the instructions of a knower of Brahman (Gnani)

~ Then why are you sticking to a Guru who is not a Gnani?

That is why Swami Vivekananda said: ~ “You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own Soul.”

Yogis and Gurus are not Gods.

This idea of worshiping the guru as God is not a Vedic idea but was adopted from Jainism and Buddhism.

Vedas bars human worship: ~

"They are enveloped in darkness, in other words, are steeped in ignorance and sunk in the greatest depths of misery who worship the uncreated, eternal prakrti -- the material cause of the world -- in place of the All-pervading God, But those who worship visible things born of the prakrti, such as the earth, trees, bodies (human and the like) in place of God are enveloped in still greater darkness, in other words, they are extremely foolish, fall into an awful hell of pain and sorrow, and suffer terribly for a long time.":~ (Yajur Veda 40:9.)

Then why worship and glorify the Gurus and Yogis (human form) in place of God when the Veda bars such activities, and it also warns people who indulge in such activities are enveloped in still greater darkness, in other words, they are extremely foolish, fall into an awful hell of pain and sorrow, and suffer terribly for a long time.

No one has ever seen God by practicing religion or yoga or indulging in glorifying the religious God and Goddesses because God exists prior to form, time, and space. The form, time, and space cease to exist as a reality when Religious Gurus are not Gnanis; they propagate only religion. Religion is not Spirituality or Adyathma: ~Santtosh Kumaar