There is nothing exist prior to consciousness. The ‘I’ cease to exist without the consciousness. +

There is nothing that exists prior to consciousness. The ‘I’ cease to exist without consciousness. The Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is the ultimate truth or Brahman.

You desire for ‘Self-realization, but you still stuck up with the word ‘I’ or ‘I AM’.  If you feel the ‘Self’ is the ‘I’ or ‘I AM’, then you are not a wise seeker. You are simply a man in ignorance.

People are stuck with the reality of the ‘I’, which they take as real because some Gurus have propagated the Self is the ‘I’. There is no need to convince the ‘I’ infected mindset. The seeker of truth accepts only the truth nothing but the truth.

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

Remember, the ‘Self is not ‘I’ or ‘I AM’. The ‘I’ or ‘IAM is an object to the Soul which is the ‘I-LESS’ subject.

Find out ‘what is this ‘I’ supposed to be an actuality.

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

The mind is present in the form of the universe.

The universe appears as waking or dream (duality).  

The ‘I’ is an object to the formless subject. Thus, it is necessary to include the universe in your inquiry to realize the unreal nature of the ‘I’ or the universe. 

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

The ‘I’ hides the Soul, the Self.

Bhagavad Gita says: ~ Among thousands of men, scarcely one strives for perfection; and of those who strive and succeed, scarcely one knows the ‘Self’  in truth.

The path of wisdom attracts only those who are in search of truth and they appreciate it greatly.   The ignorant are not spiritually matured they receive Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.  The ignorant indulge in argument and provocation and personal attack, which hinders their own realization of the ultimate truth or Brahman. 

That is why Jesus said: ~  Do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. (Matthew -7:6)

~ He meant knowledge of the Spirit or Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Bhagvad Gita says ~ “Don't unsettle the minds of ignorant by revealing the esoteric truth." :~Santthosh Kumaar