The universe (mind) is unreal means it has no separate, independent existence.+

The universe (mind) is unreal means it has no separate, independent existence.  It cannot exist just by itself.  It has inter-be with consciousness which, is the true Self.   The universe (I)  is merely an illusion that appears as a waking or dream (duality) and disappears and deep sleep (Nonduality). The one formless knower (witness) of the appearance and disappearance of these dual and nondual experiences is real and eternal.      

Thus, the three states are unreal from the standpoint of the real, which is formless consciousness. Thus, it is necessary to learn to view the three states from the ultimate point of view, not from the standpoint of the waking entity, which is the false Self.

Sage Sankara says the world is illusory; it includes birth, life, and death, which happens within the world.  Thus, seekers, the main aim is to mentally trace the formless substance of the illusion, which is also the witness of the illusion. 

The formless substance and witness of the illusion (world) are the Ataman, and this Ataman itself is Brahman.  This Brahman cannot be attained by indulging in egocentric religious orthodoxies. The knower of Brahman is Brahmin, not the Brahmin who indulges in priestcraft, which leads one to utter darkness as per Yajur Veda.

The seeker has to look deeply into the three states and discover that none of the three states can be independent; they are dependent on consciousness, which is the true Self.   So, all three states are of consciousness alone.  Thus, the universe is consciousness because it is created out of consciousness. 

Consciousness is the universe because the universe has no separate existence apart from the universe. Thus, consciousness pervades everything and everywhere in the universe, which is in the form of illusion.

The mind is a myth from the ultimate standpoint.   Thus the universe in which birth, life, and death take place is also a myth because it takes place within the mirage.   Thus it is erroneous to spin a yarn of imagination about Nonduality on the base of the waking entity, which is the false Self.  Therefore, the true Self has to be traced and realized to understand and assimilate the non-dual truth. 

To realize the ultimate Truth or Brahman demands deeper thinking and rezoning. For those who require mental spoon feeding, for them, it is difficult to grasp. It is only possible to finger point to reality and indicate the direction. It is not possible to make one realize the truth; it is for the seeker to verify on his own -through, deeper inquiry, analysis, and reasoning and realize it. 

The seekers who will approach with receptiveness as they should be approached may conceivably pause at any time and say, these pointers are helping them to think on their own and assimilate the Self- knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana and understanding in a proper and perfect way.

Yoga Vasistha:~ "Teachers, interpretations of sacred texts, the force of religious merit--none of these lead to the realization of that Ultimate Truth which is revealed in the clear reflection of the heart, engendered from contact with the good."

Sage Sankara: ~ VC 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 (verses-6)

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

Only through the path of reason, one can reach the nondual destination without any teaching or teacher.  Accepting oneself as someone’s guru or someone’s disciple and following someone’s teaching without verification is the greatest obstacle in the pursuit of truth. 

The non-dualistic truth is the universal truth, it belongs to the whole of humanity and it is not a commodity, which can be bought from the market.

A permanent view of the world as unreal can come only after Soul-centric reasoning; such knowledge cannot change. Where the seeker sufficiently sharpness he could grasp the unreal nature of the world by Soul-centric reasoning alone?  

To know the whole truth, one must know the whole universe, otherwise, he gets only a half-truth. 

 The Non-dualistic or Advaitic truth is the uncontradictable truth, it cannot be attained by discussing and arguing on the base of some teachings or so Guru.

Sage Sankara says in Aparoksh Anubhuti:-

 88. When the whole universe, movable and immovable, is known to be Atman, and thus the existence of everything else is negated, where is then any room to say that the body is Atman?

  89. O enlightened one; pass your time always contemplating on Atman while you are experiencing all the results of Prarabdha; for it ill becomes you to feel distressed.

Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana does not need the support of any scripture or revelation like the Veda. Ultimate truth is based, not upon the varying theological fancies, which are as numerous as the sands of the sea, but upon reason, the common heritage of all mankind, irrespective of color or creed or clime.

The  Essence of scriptures: ~DEHUM-NAHUM- KOHUM – SOHUM— which indicates the body is not the Self, the Self is that which is without the body. Thus,  one can conclude, if the body is not the Self then the body-based religion and theories, beliefs, practices rituals, and yoga are of no use in pursuit of truth.  

Therefore, a deeper Self- search is necessary to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar