Sage Sankara Atman or Brahman cannot be reached by any path other than that of reason.+

In ancient times, the religious Yogic discipline was considered to be a means for Self-realization. But such discipline is almost an impossible task for the modern man to adopt. Day by day people is becoming aware of the fact that religion and yoga are nothing to do with the truth, which is beyond form, time, and space.

 The modern mindset is pre-eminently scientifically owing to the great progress that science has made. And the best method of freeing the mind from its inaccurate ways of thinking is to imbue it as fully as possible with the scientific spirit. It is therefore only one who possesses a clear knowledge of its methods and results i.e., who can make the reason as the highest means of inquiry that would be fit for Self-knowledge.

Remember:~ 

Vedanta itself admits its highest Truth that is, Atman or Brahman cannot be reached by any path other than that of reason and unless the reason is sharper than the ‘Edge of a razor'.

One may feel satisfied with the religion, theology, or mysticism in which one believes, but they are based on ‘I’ which itself is an illusion. Thus, they are imagined on the base of the false self (ego) and false experience (waking).  

Religion, theology, mystic practice and yoga are not the means to acquire Self- knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.  the Absence of the reason is the absence of wisdom. 

The aim of every seeker should be to reach this highest level of Reason, by continued deeper Self-search.

Soul-centric reasoning largely covers the preliminary, indicating directly the way to the final, i.e., the rational means of attaining the goal.

Remember:~ 

 All religious, yogic, and theoretical paths rely on the authority of intuitive Revelation and mystic experiences or the Yogic ecstasy of Samadhi.

The most advanced seekers take the path of reason which helps them unfold the truth, which is beyond form, time, and space.

Some have no patience to pursue till to the end. For such a mindset believe firmly that the highest stage to attain is only the theological based on authority or the mystic based on intuition and not the rational.  The highest order of Reason has to be reached with much patience.

The Soul is realized through soul-centric reasoning.  After this is attained, he realizes the fact that the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness pervades everything and everywhere in all the three states. Thus, all three states are nothing, but the illusion created out of consciousness.

Soulcentric Reason is the highest means of attaining Self- knowledge of Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.  

The truth is beyond scriptures and egocentric intelligence. Thus in order to grasp, assimilate and realize the Advaitic truth the seeker to employ the soulcentric reasoning faculty. 

That is why Sage Sankara says in the commentary in Vedanta-sutra that what is accepted without a proper inquiry will not lead a person to the final goal. On the contrary, such acceptance will result only in evil, something which is detrimental to our spiritual progress.

Thus, a Seeker of truth should not believe blindly in traditional Orthodox nonduality without verifying all the facts from every angle. One has to reflect through reasoning over and over again without getting tired of the process.

There is no need to study the scriptures. One has to Self-search the truth and realize it without the scriptures. And then when he reads the scriptures he becomes aware the scriptures are also saying the same thing but everything is misinterpreted. 

Mundaka Upanishad:~ This Atman cannot be attained through the study of the Vedas, nor through intelligence, nor through much learning. He who chooses Atman ~by him alone is Atman attained. It is Atman that reveals to the seeker Its true nature. (3 page70upanhsds by Nikilanada)

It means the ultimate truth is beyond scriptures and egocentric intelligence. Thus, to grasp, assimilate and realize the Advaitic truth the seeker to employ the soulcentric reasoning faculty. 

That is why Sage Sankara says: ~ VC ~58. Loud speech consisting of a shower of words, the skill in expounding the Scriptures, and likewise erudition - these merely bring on a little personal enjoyment to the scholar but are no good for Liberation.

59. The study of the Scriptures is useless so long as the highest Truth is unknown, and it is equally useless when the highest Truth has already been known.

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.

61. 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?

62. A disease does not leave off if one simply utters the name of the medicine, without taking it; (similarly) without direct realization one cannot be liberated by the mere utterance of the word Brahman.

There is nothing more rational, more intelligible, and more un-dogmatic insights of Sage Sankara is to drop all the theistic nonduality or Advaita which is meant for those who are incapable and not receptive to realize the ultimate truth or Brahman. 

Bhagavad Gita: ~ Reason as means to reality. (Chap.18 verse 37)

In chap. 10 of in Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says: ~ I cannot save you, but I can give you Buddhi (reason). (chap. 10)

In chap. 10 of in Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says: ~ "I have given you the most secret teaching, now reflect over it all" Krishna plainly says reflect, think. (Verse 63 of Chap. 18)

Mundaka Upanishad says: ~ Both states are harmful and take you away from the path of inquiry into truth. (Page 234)

Ashtavakra Gita: ~ It is not the absence of Buddhi (Reason) that can grasp Advaita but the man who possesses the highest intellect. Brains are necessary. Such a man, by merely hearing the truth mentioned will know it. (Page~ 224). 

There is no need for any philosophy in pursuit of truth because they take the seeker nearer to the truth, but they create more doubts and confusions.

 
Sage Goudpada: ~ To establish the truth of Nonduality 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)

The reasoning is interpretable in two ways. The egocentric interpretation is to apply it only to waking experience. The soulcentric interpretation is to apply it to the three states. The latter leads to a final settlement of the problems because it takes all data into consideration. 

As we keep digging deeper and deeper, the truth will shine as pure awareness in the midst of the duality (waking). :~Santthosh Kumaar