Until one realizes the Soul as the Self as it really is” it is impossible to realize the Advaitic truth.+

If one has understood what ‘truth ‘really is “then there is no necessity to know ‘Who am I? or ‘I am that.   ‘WHO AM I?’ or ‘I AM THAT’ reveal only half-truth because they are limited to individuality and reveals only the unreal nature of the ego.  

The   Ego is individuality whereas the ‘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 full truth about the ‘Self‘, which is beyond form, time, and space.

Awareness is the nature of the Soul (Spirit or consciousness)  because there is no second thing that exists other than the Soul, the Self.   Thus, consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman.

Self–Awareness is not physical awareness. Physical awareness is present as the waking or dream experience. And physical awareness disappears as deep sleep, which is also a state of ignorance. Self-awareness or Brahmic awareness arises when wisdom dawns.  Wisdom dawns when Soul the Self' becomes aware of itself in the midst of the form, time, and space (duality or waking) by realizing the form, time, and space are one in essence.  

Remember:~

First, the seeker has to know ‘what is the mind” What is the substance of the mind? And ‘what is the source of the mind? , in order to realize ‘what is what’?  The ego is the physical mind, whereas the mind is present in the form of the universe. The universe appears as a waking or dream (duality) and disappears as deep sleep).  Thus, a perfect understanding of ‘what is what’ is necessary to realize that form, time, and space are merely an illusion created out of single stuff.  

All three states are made of single stuff. That single stuff is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. Knowledge of the single stuff is Self-knowledge.   

From the dualistic perspective, the three states are a reality. From the non-dualistic perspective, the three states are nonexistent as a reality.  Individuality is a reality within the duality. The duality is merely an illusion from the standpoint of the Soul, the Self.

All these experiences as the father, son, guru, and pupil were one and the same consciousness appearing differently. All these distinctions disappear when one realizes the ultimate truth.

In the dream,  the mountain which is apparently insentient and material is nevertheless still your mind alone. Whether living or dead, conscious or unconscious thought or matter; all things are appearances of one and the same consciousness. All these distinctions are seen by Gnani as only consciousness.

Remember:~

People’s observation is based on the dualistic (matter or body or ego) perspective, whereas a Gnanis judgment is based on the nondualistic (Soul or spirit or consciousness) perspective.  There is neither the projection (the world in which we all exist), nor the projector exists as a reality when the Soul the Self' remains its own awareness.  

The Soul remains in its own awareness when wisdom dawns. The purpose of the spiritual pursuit is to realize the whole universe in, which we exist, is created out of single stuff. And that single stuff is the Soul which is present in the form of consciousness. 

The Soul is the Self. From the standpoint of the Soul, and the Self, the three states are merely an illusion.  

Until one realizes the Soul as the Self as it really is” it is impossible to realize the non-dualistic or Advaitic truth. :~Santthosh Kumaar