The word Hindu is used to identify Indians. The right word is Sindu, which means people of Indus valley.+

The word Hindu is used to identify Indians. The right word is Sindu, which means people of the Indus Valley.

The Muslim invaders pronounce Sindus as Hindus to identify the Indian populace, not their religion.

All Indians irrespective of their religion whether they are Christians Muslims or Buddhists or Sikhs are Sindus (Hindus) means Indians.

The word Hinduism was first used by English writers in the 19th century to describe the multiplicity of faiths of the people of India.

Encyclopedia Britannica says: ~ The word Hinduism was first used by British writers in the year 1830 to describe the multiplicity of the faiths of the people of India excluding the converted Christians. (Volume -20, Reference -581)

Swami Vivekananda says: - The word Hindu is a misnomer; the correct word should be a Vedantin, a person who follows the Vedas.

The word Hindu (Sindu) was used initially to describe the people of India; it was never used to describe religion. Thus, Hinduism (Sindhu or Indus Valley culture) is not a religion it is the way of life of Indus Valley people with different castes, creeds, cultures, traditions, and ideologies of the different parts of India under a single roof.

Thus, a uniform civil code is very much necessary to bring universal brotherhood among Indian people which will help to create unity in diversity in the Indian populace.

The ancient peoples of India belong to the Vedic Religion or Santana Dharma, therefore, Sanatana Dharma has nothing to do with present-day Hinduism.

The ancient peoples of the Indus Valley of Undivided India were called Hindus by Muslim invaders.

Hinduism is a name introduced by British Rule in India by introducing Hindu law which is applied to different castes founded by different founders at different times.

All these castes have produced a great many saints, prophets, and Jagad gurus. If they had been born in Hinduism, in all probability they would have been deified in the same way as the founders of several Hindu sects.

Founders of caste-based parmaparas did great harm by projecting their caste as Sanatana Dharma or Vedic religion.

These Laws introduced by British rule to divide and rule policy have not only harmed the Indian populace and great crime on humanity.

Hinduism which is based on the caste system is not ancient Sanatana Dharma or Vedic religion because Rig Veda bars the caste system.

Sanatana Dharma has no founders whereas Hinduism identified with different founders at different times.

Prior to Sage Sankara in the 8th century, there was no Advaita in Santana Dharma. Santana Dharma or Vedic religion has no founders whereas Advaita and qualified Advaita and Dvaita are identified with their founders. All of them have non-Vedic rituals barred by the Vedas.

Dualism came only in the 12th century. The orthodox Advaita and Dvaita are adulterated add-ons. Both Advaita and Dvaita schools claim that they are based on the Vedas and they condemn each other with the Upanishads and Puranic citations and try to prove they are right and others are wrong.

The religion, including orthodox Advaita, has nothing to do with the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth because they worship idols, human worship, and symbol worship and indulge in non-Vedic rituals barred by the Vedas.

Remember:~

All Hindus indulge in non-Vedic practices barred by the Vedas introduced by the different founders of the different sects of Hinduism at different times, whereas the Vedic religion or Santana Dharma is ancient and has no founder.

Hinduism is not Santana Dharma or Vedic religion. Hinduism is not a religion. Rather it is a group of castes found within India that share common beliefs while still remaining very different.

The ancient peoples of India belong to the Vedic Religion or Santana Dharma, therefore, they have nothing to do with present-day Hinduism.

The ancient peoples of the Indus Valley of Undivided India were called Hindus by Muslim invaders.

Hindu idols or deities or temples have nothing to do with the Vedic religion or Santana Dharma. Vedic people ate beef.

The Hindu practices of idol worship, temple worship, and a ban on beef eating were introduced many centuries later.

As one peeps into the annals of religious history he finds that Hinduism which exists today is not a continuation of the Vedic religion, and it has no real historical foundation. Hinduism is of a much later origin.

As per the researchers, the two faiths the Hindu belief system has drifted miles away from the Vedic faith so the two seem to be two distinct faiths.

It is not difficult to discover that there is no noticeable continuity of Hinduism from the Vedic religion or Santana Dharma. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

In the Samkhya tradition, there is Purusha and there is Prakriti is based on the dualistic perspective. And these two are as separate as the clockmaker and the clock.+

Sage Sankara: ~ Neither by Yoga, nor by Sankhya, nor by good work, nor by learning Self-realization is possible.

Advaita is the nature of the Soul. Advaita is second to none. Advaita is universal wisdom revealed on its own to all the serious and sincere seekers of truth.

The real Advaitic wisdom of Sage Sankara is soulcentric knowledge.  Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is soulcentric knowledge that destroys ignorance.

In the Samkhya tradition, there is Purusha and there is Prakriti is based on the dualistic perspective. And these two are as separate as the clockmaker and the clock.

Sage  Sankara says:  VC- How can the talk of diversity, dvaita, apply to the Supreme Reality which is one and homogeneous, Advaita? Who has ever observed diversity, dvaita, in the unmixed bliss of the state of profound sleep?

From a nondualistic perspective, the Atman, the Self is what they call Purusha. The Atman is the fullness of the consciousness.  The illusory world, in which we exist they call it Prakriti. 

From a nondualistic perspective, the Atman (purusha)   and the world (prakriti) are one in essence;   therefore they are not two because.  The world is an illusion created out of a single clay. And that single clay is Atman, which is present in the form of the consciousness. 

Sage Sankara: ~ VC 56. Neither by Yoga, nor by Sankhya, nor by good work, nor by learning, but by the realization of one's identity with Brahman is Liberation possible, and by no other means.

That is why Sage Sankara:~ VC- v6~ 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.

Sage Sankara goes on to say: ~A sickness of not cured by saying the word “medicine.” You must take the medicine. Liberation does not come by merely saying the word “Brahman.” Brahman must be realized. Until you allow this apparent universe to dissolve from your consciousness until you have realized Brahman, how can you find liberation just by saying the word Brahman? The result is merely a noise. Until a man has destroyed his enemies and taken possession of the splendor and wealth of the kingdom, he cannot become a king by simply saying “I am a king.”

Sage  Sankara says:~   A buried treasure is not uncovered by merely uttering the words: “Come forth.” You must follow the right directions, dig, remove the stones and earth from above it, and then make it your own. In the same way, the pure truth of the Atman, which is buried under Maya and the effects of Maya, can be reached by meditation, contemplation, and other spiritual disciplines but never by subtle arguments.

The Atmic path is not for religious and yogic-minded people. Religious and yogic people must move on to their chosen path. The Atmic path is for only seekers of truth who are seriously searching for the truth of their own existence.

The look of an object will depend upon the medium through which the observer views it. In fact, our mental and intellectual conditions determine the world, observed and experienced. The commoner viewing the world will see differently from a Gnani viewing the same world. Each one interprets the world that they see in terms of their existing knowledge. The commoner sees everything based on the ego and, therefore, experiences birth, life, death, and the world as a reality, whereas a Gnani sees everything as consciousness and he is fully aware of the fact that, there is no second thing exists other than the Soul or consciousness. 

Thus, all the egocentric (religious) adulteration has to be bifurcated to realize the ultimate truth, which is beyond form, time, and space. : ~Santthosh Kumaar

Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana cannot be surmised by merely reading the Vedas and Upanishads.+

Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana cannot be surmised by merely reading the Vedas and Upanishads. 

Ashtavakra:~There is no wisdom whatsoever in the scriptures-just a collection of words.   

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

Sages of truth restrained themselves parting the Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana to the mass and only a selected few. It was hidden from the people who were not qualified and receptive to it. 

Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana was not written down but was imparted orally to the chosen few. 

Religion was given to the masses, and knowledge of the Spirit was given to only a selected few. Thus, we find traces of the knowledge of the spirit in the religious books in the form of parables.

 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 an argument.   Intellectual discussion is a great hindrance in the pursuit of truth.

Katha Upanishad 1:3:6:~ “Through the knowledge of the Soul, God, one is pure and clean constantly.” Neither by reading the book nor by taking a bath at the holy place has one become pure. Inner purity is possible when one remains in constant touch with the Soul. Constant Soul awareness is the real purity. 

It takes time to become receptive to receive Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana because it is Soulcentric knowledge whereas all accumulated knowledge is egocentric.

All accumulated knowledge is of no use in the path of wisdom. Without realizing “What is truth it is impossible to realize “What is untruth?” Without realizing what is truth and what is untruth it is impossible to assimilate the Self –Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.  The seeker must know with full and firm conviction what truth is. 

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.

Sage  Sankara says: ~ “Of what avail are the Vedas and (other) Scriptures, Mantras (sacred formulae) and medicines to such a one?

For one who wants to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana, the mantas will not help to realize the truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space.

For one who has been bitten by the serpent of Ignorance, the only remedy is the knowledge of Brahman. Of what avail are the Vedas and (other) Scriptures, Mantras (sacred formulae), and medicines to such a one?

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.

A sickness of not cured by saying the word “medicine.” You must take the medicine. Liberation does not come by merely saying the word “Brahman.” Brahman must be realized. Until you allow this apparent universe to dissolve from your consciousness until you have realized Brahman, how can you find liberation just by saying the word Brahman? The result is merely a noise. 

Until a man has destroyed his enemies and taken possession of the splendor and wealth of the kingdom, he cannot become a king by simply saying “I am a king.”

A buried treasure is not uncovered by merely uttering the words: “Come forth.” You must follow the right directions, dig, remove the stones and earth from above it, and then make it your own. In the same way, the pure truth of the Atman, which is buried under Maya and the effects of Maya, can be reached by meditation, contemplation, and other spiritual disciplines but never by subtle arguments. 

Katha Upanishad says:~ Fools dwelling in darkness, but thinking themselves wise and erudite, go round and round, by various tortuous paths, like the blind led by the blind. (Ch~ II-5 P-14)  

There is no need to follow anyone. There is no need to practice anything but perfect understanding and assimilation of ‘what is what’ leads to realizing the truth, which is beyond form, time, and space.

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

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

The seeker of truth must shed prejudices and get disentangled from all that is not needed to acquire Self-knowledge.  You must tread the path to a formless, timeless, and spaceless existence.

Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is the knowledge that unfolds the mystery of the universe. The universe is created out of a single stuff. And that single stuff is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

The world in which you and your guru exist is the product of ignorance. If there is no ignorance, then the world in which you and your guru exist cease to exist as a reality.

When reality appears this ignorance which one thinks as reality becomes unreal.

Sage Sankara: ~   VC Neither sacred baths nor any amount of charity nor even Hundreds of pranayamas* can give us knowledge about our own Self.  The firm experience of the nature of the Self is seen to proceed from inquiry along the lines of the salutary advice of the wise. (13)

Fortunate is the man who does not lose himself in the labyrinths of philosophy, but he tries to get the direct realization of truth hidden by ignorance.

The ultimate truth has to be realized first without any philosophy, then only it is possible to know what the scriptures are saying.

The Reality is simply the loss of ignorance. Until the ignorance is there the body, ego and the world exist as a reality. 

When ignorance vanishes, then the Soul, the innermost Self,  remains in its own awareness. In Self-awareness there is unity in diversity, thus there is only oneness.  : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

The Advaita is hidden by the Dvaita. Advaita is the Soul, and Dvaita is the universe.+

Advaitic wisdom is buried under religion yoga and other philosophies. The Advaita is hidden by the Dvaita. Advaita is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. Dvaita is the universe.

Advaitic wisdom has nothing to do with Advaitic orthodoxy. As per Sage Sankara, Advaitic orthodoxy is meant for the ignorant populace.

Sage Sankara’s wisdom is not a teaching or philosophy but Advaita is the universal wisdom. Advaitic wisdom is neither a teaching nor a theory but it is merely guidance to those who are seriously seeking the ultimate truth or Brahman. Grasp the ultimate truth anytime, at any age, if the seeker has the spiritual maturity and capacity to grasp it.

It really depends on his inborn natural capacity to understand and assimilate it. Sage Sankara’s wisdom is a Self-examiner, to test oneself to discover how near to Gnana he has approached what progress has already been made on the path, and what still remains to be done. It sets up the criterion for Self-judgement. There are millions in search of truth but one in a million will be able to grasp it.

Without Sage Sankara, there is no Advaita (nonduality). Since it was mixed up with orthodoxy there is a lot of confusion. I am highlighting all the obstacles, which is blocking one from realizing the ultimate truth or Brahman.

There are so many non-dualistic masters of the East and also from the West who expound Advaitic or non-dualistic knowledge but none of them are helpful to reach the ultimate end.

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 Gita Chap.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 this 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 the yoga must see "Brahman in action."

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

The seeker has to realize the Self is not 'i' but the Self is the Soul to find liberation from the bondage of the illusion of birth, life, death, and the world (duality). The goal of human life is to find and realize the Soul, the Self.

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

To come to a more precise understanding of what non-duality is or might mean, we must return to the original linguistic and philosophic backgrounds from which the word has been translated into English.

If we limit a probe of the meaning of non-duality to Hindu Sanskrit literature, we find that the most frequently used term is “Advaita.

Advaita” is not a religious concept. Advaita is the nature of the existence hidden by the form, time, and space. The seeker has to attempt to rule out from the start a false understanding of reality by a perfect understanding of ‘what is what’.

The Advaita is hidden by the Dvaita. Advaita is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. Dvaita is the universe.

Advaita is basically a denial; it is literally the negation of the Dvaita. That means whatever remains by negating the universe by realizing the universe is created out of single clay and that clay is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, the hidden truth by Dvaita uncovered. Consciousness is the cause of the universe and it, itself is uncaused.

The seeker has to make sure what is this ‘universe supposed to be? The seeker has to make sure of the unreal nature of the universe which comes and goes in order to realize the truth, which is hidden by the universe.

The Soul is permanent and is always there, only the transient universe comes and goes.

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

The universe hides the truth of the Soul, the Self, which is present in the form of consciousness.

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.

The Soul, the Self, which is present in the form of consciousness is the ultimate truth or God in truth. There is no higher truth other than consciousness.

To realize this truth there is no need to follow any path. There is no need to follow anyone. There is no need to become a wandering monk. There is no need to renounce the worldly life. Realizing consciousness (Spirit) is ultimate in Spirituality or Adyathma.

There is nothing else to realize other than realizing there no second thing exists other than consciousness. Realizing that consciousness is second to none is truth realization.

Even if you search for a million years you will only come to the final conclusion and realization that the world in which you exist is nothing but consciousness.

If the world, in which you exist is nothing but consciousness, then what else is there to realize other than realizing consciousness alone is real and the world in which you exist is merely an illusion.

If the world in which you exist is merely an illusion the experience of the birth, life, and death which happens in the illusory world is bound to be an illusion.

If the world, in which you exist is an illusion then the division of the form, time, and space is merely an illusion because the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness is the Self. The Soul, the innermost Self is the fullness of consciousness.

Mentally reducing the world, in which you exist to consciousness leads to Self-awareness. Realizing consciousness as the ultimate truth is Advaita. That is mentally reducing the dualistic illusion into non-dualistic reality is Advaita.

Sage Sankara declared the Advaitic truth 1200 years back but it was hidden and imparted only to a few. Even scientists declare in the future the world will be nothing but consciousness, Sage Sankara alone is qualified for the Nobel Prize, not the scientists because Sage Sankara declared it 1200 years ago. Sage Sankara’s Advaitic wisdom has been lost: people misinterpret and falsify. Advaita is not a theory but Advaita is the rational truth, the scientific truth, and the ultimate truth. But nobody knows it.

The teachers of philosophy and the Gurus or religion do not want to inquire into truth and have no time for it.

Sage Sankara’s Advaitic wisdom has nothing to do with religion. Thus, all his religious teaching which are meant for the ignorant populace has to be bifurcated from his wisdom. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

The world does not exist as reality when wisdom dawns. The world existed as a reality in the domain of ignorance.+

The world does not exist as reality when wisdom dawns. The world existed as a reality in the domain of ignorance.

When ignorance vanishes then the Soul shines in its own awareness without the illusory division of form, time, and space.

The scriptures repeatedly emphasize that the Supreme Brahman is the Soul, which is present in the form of the consciousness alone, and that there are no parts within it.

Everything that is based on the Soul is a reality hidden by the unreality. Everything that is based on the ‘I’ is a falsehood. The truth of the existence is hidden by the ignorance.

The truth is the truth. The seeker must avoid discussing with people of fanatical attitudes, it is a waste of time discussing with religious people because they, themselves are not aware of the fact that their inherited religion is based on falsehood.

Just seek the truth. The truth is universal. No religion owns the truth. The truth is permanent. The truth is unalterable. The truth cannot change because it is uncontradictable. The truth is second to none because it is nondual.

Forget all these issues and recognize that you are leaping from one wild conclusion to another.

The seeker of truth must ignore all the beliefs that were inherited from one generation to the next. Religious scholars of all religions trying to prove their religion is superior to other religions. Religion is not Spirituality.

Just throwing mud at each other’s viewpoints on their inherited religion the truth will not be revealed. The truth has nothing to do with religion.

The truth doesn't mean the truth gets dirty. Mud can't stick to the truth, which is hidden by ignorance. The ultimate truth itself is God in truth.

The seeker must avoid religious sermons and discussions and focus precisely on the facts. Avoid arguing with religious-minded people. Never discuss spirituality with people who are not seekers of truth and be very precise about the truth.

The truth is hidden by the ignorance. The ignorance is present in the form of the ‘I’, therefore, it is necessary to realize what this ‘I’ is supposed to be in actuality.

Self–knowledge is not the knowledge of the ‘I’, but it is the knowledge hidden by the ‘I’. The ‘I’ is present only in the domain of form, time, and space.

Mentally cross the ‘I’ to realize the 'Self' is without the form, time, and space.

The Self is without form, time, and space because the ‘Self is ever formless, timeless, and spaceless existence.

Realize the Soul is the real Self. The Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness is one without the second, therefore, the Soul is Advaita.

The ‘Self’ is not the ‘I’ but the ‘Self’ is the Soul, which is without form, time and space.

The ‘Self is not the ‘I’ because ‘I’ is present only within the domain of form, time, and space.

If the ‘Self is not the ‘I’ then what is the use of saying ‘I AM THIS’ or ‘I AM’ THAT -there is no individual to say ‘I AM THIS’ or ‘I AM’ THAT.

The Soul is ‘I- LESS” because it is without form, time, and space. Do not stick to the ‘I’. Stick to the Soul, which is the cause of the ‘I’, and it, itself is uncaused. The Soul is the ‘Self’.

The Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is the ultimate truth or Brahman. The ‘I’ is merely an illusion.

If you stick to the ‘I’ then you are sticking to the illusion. If you stick to the Soul then you are sticking to the truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space.

The Soul is permanent and the ‘I’ is impermanent.

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

The ‘I’ hides the Soul, the Self, which is the cause of the 'I'.

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 mindsets. The seeker of truth accepts only the truth nothing but the truth. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Sage Sankara: ~ The universe which through ignorance appears as of diverse forms, is nothing else but the Soul, the Self. +

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

The universe is the product of ignorance. Ignorance is present in the form of the ‘I’.

Sage Sankara says: - VC-47 All the effects of ignorance, root, and branch, are burnt down by the fire of knowledge, which arises from discrimination between these two—the Self and the not-Self.

Till you think you are an individual separate from the world and the world existed prior to you and you are born in it afterward, ignorance will prevail as a reality. Till ignorance is present the universe prevails as reality.

Sage Sankara says: ~ “The exercise in discrimination between real and unreal and renunciation of the false is real meditation, then why you are indulging in other types of meditation.

A perfect understanding and realization of ‘what is what’ leads to Self-awareness. By holding on to theories, one remains in the realm of duality.

You have to mentally go on dropping what is not truth through deeper Self-search. Finally when you become aware of the fact that, you, your ego, your body, and the world are one in essence then Self-awareness arises in the midst of duality.

Sage Sankara says ~ V.63 ~ "Without knowing and examining the external world, one can’t know 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.

In Advaitic -awareness, the ego is not considered as ego, even though the ego is present, the body is not considered as a body even though the body is present, the world which confronts him is not considered as the world even though the world is present, the duality ceases even though the duality is present, because of wisdom everything is considered as consciousness. Thus there is conscious oneness.

Only in ignorance, the world in which we exist is an illusion created out of the Soul, the Self.

The universe is both real and unreal. It is real because it is a manifestation of consciousness, but is unreal, in the sense, that it is not absolute and eternal like consciousness itself.

People's approach is more practical, and they stuck with the reality of the world, they take it as real. That is why all the confusion.

The look of an object will depend upon the medium through which the observer views it. In fact, our mental and intellectual conditions determine the world, observed and experienced. The commoner viewing the world will see differently from a Gnani viewing the same world. Each one interprets the world that they see in terms of their existing knowledge. The commoner sees everything based on the ego and, therefore, experiences birth, life, death, and the world as a reality, whereas a Gnani sees everything as consciousness and he is fully aware of the fact that, there is no second thing exists other than the Soul or consciousness.

Thus, all the egocentric (religious) adulteration has to be bifurcated to realize the ultimate truth, which is beyond form, time, and space.

Sage Sankara says you must first know what is before you. If you cannot know that, what else can you know or understand? If you give up the external world in your inquiry, you cannot get the whole truth.

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

It takes time for the seeker to gain the perfect understanding of ‘what is truth’ and ‘’what is untruth’. It takes time for the Soul, the Self to wake up from the sleep of ignorance, and it takes time for one to realize the truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space.

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.

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

Mentally hold on to the 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.

Sage Sankara: ~ VC- In the dream state, even though there is no contact with the outside world, the Soul alone projects the entire dream universe of enjoyer, enjoyment, etc. Similarly, the waking state is no different. All this world of pluralistic phenomena is an illusory projection.

Chandogya Upanishad:~ One who meditates upon and realizes the Self discovers that everything in the cosmos-- energy and space, fire and water, name and form, birth and death, mind and will, word and deed, mantrams and meditation--all come from the Self.

Sage Goudpada: ~ “To establish the truth of Non-duality by sheer reasoning alone. He begins by defining "What is real?" "What is unreal?" etc, because that is the right way to discuss or teach. People must first know what they are talking about. (Manduka Karika)

Consciousness is the only reality in which the universe exists, to which the universe belongs; from which the universe has emerged, which is the cause of the universe and which itself is uncaused. Thus, the universe is nothing but consciousness. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

People who say ‘I AM GOD’ or ‘I AM BRAHMAN’ or ‘I AM THAT’ are merely repeating like a parrot, words, which they have read or heard.+

The ‘Self’ is not within you but the ‘Self’ is hidden by the universe. The ‘Self’ is hidden by the universe because the universe is created out of the Self. The Self is not ‘you’ but is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

All the ‘I-centric’ and ‘you-centric’ Gurus spin the yarn of their imagination based on 'I'. From, the Advaitic perspective, the ‘I-centric’ and you-centric Gurus and their teaching have no value because they will not help the seeker to reach the ultimate end of understanding.

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.

The ‘Self’ means the existence. The existence is hidden by the illusory form, time, and space. Those who say ‘I AM THAT without even knowing what the Self is supposed to be in actuality.

The Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness is the existence hidden by the illusory form, time, and space.

That is why Sage Sankara says: ~ “-(VC)60. The Scriptures consisting of many words are a dense forest that merely causes the mind to ramble. Hence men of wisdom should earnestly set about knowing the true nature of the ‘Self’.

People who say ‘I AM GOD’ or ‘I AM BRAHMAN’ or ‘I AM THAT’ are merely repeating like parrot words that they have read in the scriptures or heard. It does not prove that they have realized the ultimate truth or Brahman.

With bookish or hearsay knowledge it is unable to prove that everything is Atman. One has to do lots of homework to realize the 'Self'.

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.

The Upanishads say: ~

Mundaka Upanishad 1:2:8: ~ “Remaining in the fold of ignorance and thinking “we are extremely wise and learned,” the fools with boastful nature ramble about like the blind led by the blind alone.”

Mundaka Upanishad 3:2:3: ~ “The weak and timid cannot realize the Self. Self-realization is not possible through intellect or hearing spiritual discourse. One who welcomes God in every activity, through a thorough controlled, and disciplined life, to him also the Soul is revealed.

Katha Upanishad 1:2:23: ~ The Soul cannot be realized through hearing the scholarly explanation of the discourses, not even by the intellect.

Katha Upanishad 1:3:6: ~ “Through the knowledge of the Soul God, one is pure and clean constantly.” Neither by reading the book nor by taking a bath at the holy place has one become pure. Inner purity is possible when one remains in constant touch with the Soul. Constant Soul-awareness is the real purity.

Kena Upanishad 2:4: ~ When it is known through every state of cognition, it is rightly known, for (by such knowledge) one attains life eternal. Through one's own Self, one gains power and through wisdom one gains immortality.

Kena Upanishad 2:5: ~ If here one knows it, then there is the truth, and if here one knows it not, there is a great loss. Hence, seeing the Real in all beings, wise men become immortal on departing from this world.

The scriptures are being added to from time to time. This process will go on. There is the final authority among them? One contradicts the other: duality reigns supreme.

The Upanishads are self-contradictory. Every pundit even gives conflicting interpretations of them. The final authority, therefore, is using one’s own reason. One should apply his reason to them.

The scriptures are for ignorant masses, who wholly accept the material world as it presents itself. Gnana is for those who have begun to realize that things are not what they seem.

The scriptures are of value only when dealing with persons who are incapable of understanding the truth. They have no value as authority for those who use reason. I quote only verified citations from the scriptures. I need no scriptures, but I quote them to help the seekers realize what the scriptures are saying.

Remember:~ ’I’ is not the ‘Self’ and the ‘Self’ is not the 'I '. 'I ' is bound by form, time and space. Without the form, time, and space, the ‘I’ ceases to exist. Holding, ‘I’ as the ‘Self’, the Soul, the ‘Self’ remains in the clutches of dualistic illusion or Maya.

When there is duality then there is ignorance. Ignorance is the cause of experiencing the dualistic illusion or Maya as a reality.

One, who identifies the ‘Self’ as the ‘I’, will not be able to cross the threshold of dualistic illusion. There is no point in saying 'I ' or 'I AM THAT' because the '‘Self’' is that which witnesses the 'I ' and the world together without the physical apparatus.

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

The universe appears as waking or dream (duality) and disappears as deep sleep (nonduality). The individual experiences of birth, life, death, and the world are within the waking experience. The dream is a parallel waking experience and waking is a parallel dream.

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

The nonduality is the nature of the Soul. Therefore, the Soul becomes the mind (I). And mind (I) becomes the Soul. The Soul and mind (I) are one in essence. That essence is the Soul which is present in the form of consciousness. Consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth.

Remember this:~ The Self is not the ‘I’. The ‘I’ is present in the form of the mind. The origin of the mind is the Soul. The mind is present in the form of the universe. The Soul is present in the form of consciousness. The root of the universe is consciousness.

Thus, saying ‘I AM THAT ’ keeps one in the domain of the dualistic illusion. The duality is not reality. The duality is a product of ignorance. The body, ego, and the world are of the ignorant.

When wisdom dawns the ignorance disappears. When ignorance disappears the duality will never be a reality even though there is duality, it is merely an illusion created out of a single stuff. That single stuff is the Soul which is present in the form of consciousness.

The Soul is the Self. The Self is God. It is not “I AM GOD, but it’s correct to say ‘the SELF IS GOD because the Self is not the ‘I’ or ’I AM” but the ‘Self’ is the witness of the ‘I’ or I AM”. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar