The mantra-yoga consisting of repeating the name of God, or even the AUM; thousands of times yield nothing.+

The Atman or Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is the innermost self. Consciousness is the witness that experiences the action, the actor, and the world of separate things. It is like a light that illuminates everything in a theatre, revealing the master of ceremonies, the guests, and the dancers with complete impartiality. Even when they all depart, the light shines to reveal their absence.

What is not consciousness (formless) in the experience of diversity [waking or universe]?  The waking and the dream cease to exist without consciousness.  The seeker, seeking and his destination all are one in essence.

There is only a need to realize the whole universe in which we exist is created out of consciousness (Soul or Atman), the Self.  From the standpoint of the Soul, the Self, the universe is merely an illusion created out of consciousness.  Thus, from the ultimate standpoint, no second thing exists other than consciousness. Thus consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman  God in truth. 

Sage Sankara says:~ Yoga is not the means of liberation. (p-one thirty-two and thirty-three of his commentary on Brihadaranyakopanishad).

Brihad Upanishad:~ (Page one thirty-three- first para): - even yoga cannot give perfect concentration and that the only way to gain it is philosophical realization. This confirms the Manduka Upanishad statement that yoga can no more succeed than the ocean can be emptied with a blade of grass.

In Sutra Bashya and Mandukya it is given that Samadhi and sleep are identical. Brihad Upanishad does not advocate Samadhi. People are going down, down, and down.

The mantra-yoga consists of repeating the name of God, or even the AUM; thousands of times yield nothing. It can appeal only to the ignorant, to those who cannot think deeper. It is merely a religious fable. The real exercise is to think of the meaning of the name or the AUM and then only do you get something.

Mantras can do nothing. If they really had any power why did not Krishna use one to stop the Mahabharata war? All the magical power of mantras are religious fable because religion is based on the false self(waking or ego), and false experience(waking or world)  Visions and Samadhi are illusions from the standpoint of the soul, the innermost self.

That is why Sage Sankara:~VC-63- Without causing the objective universe to vanish and without knowing the truth of the Self, how is one to achieve Liberation by the mere utterance of the word Brahman? — It would result merely in an effort of speech.

Ish Upanishad says:~Those people who have neglected the attainment of Self-knowledge and have thus committed suicide

Those people who have neglected the attainment of Self-knowledge and have thus committed suicide, as it were, are doomed to enter those worlds after death.

This is a condemnation of people who do not try to attain Self-knowledge. They are, in a real sense, committing suicide, for what can be worse than being a slave to sense enjoyment, completely oblivious of the real purpose of life, which is to be one’s, own master?

Mundaka Upanishad:- The study of the Vedas, linguistics, Rituals, astronomy, and all the arts Can be called lower knowledge. The higher Is that which leads to Self-realization. The eye cannot see it; the mind cannot grasp it. The deathless Self has neither caste nor race, Neither eyes nor ears nor hands nor feet. Sages say this Self is infinite in the great And in the small, everlasting and changeless, The source of life.

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

The earliest ancients sages used the word ‘I’ to the witness of the three states not to the ego as moderns use it and think the ‘I’ without the body is self. The seeker has to understand the fact that ‘i’ is not the self but the witness of the ‘I’ is the true self, which is eternal. 

In the pursuit of truth discussion of unimportant subject matter is a great hindrance. Personal attacks have to be avoided to maintain the sanctity of the forum.

The path of truth is a path of verification. Nothing has to be accepted as truth without verification. Agreeing to disagree causes unnecessary friction, everyone has a point of view and everyone must respect others' views wisdom just to maintain harmony irregardless of whether the point made was acceptable or not.

There are millions in search of truth but one in million will be able to grasp it.  I am just posting what revels from the inner core. I just share with like-minded fellow seekers.   I am just highlighting the obstacle in the pursuit of truth.  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 is a great hindrance to the pursuit of truth.

Sharing is giving info for the sake of goodness. As with all things, achieving a balance of peaceful communications is established with respect, humility, understanding, and patience. Balancing an achievement is harder.:~Santthosh Kumaar