The mind is virtually the universe. The universe appears as a waking or dream (duality) and disappears as deep sleep (nonduality).+

The mind is virtually the universe. The universe appears as a waking or dream (duality) and disappears as deep sleep (nonduality). Efforts should be made to understand the mind. Advaitic is wisdom is an ancient truth preserved as a secret by sages of truth.

We are within the illusion. Whatever we have seen, feel, known, believed, and experienced is also within the illusion. The formless substance and witness of the illusion is the Soul the innermost Self.

In Self-awareness, the substance and witness are one in essence. That essence is the Soul which is present in the form of the consciousness (Spirit).

The dream entity and the dream world are within the dream. Similarly, you and your experience of the world are within the waking experience. The witness of the dream is not the waking entity. Similarly, the witness of the waking experience is not the waking entity. 

The Soul is the witness of the coming and going of the three states. The three states are nothing to do with the Soul, the 'Self' because, from the standpoint of the Soul the innermost Self, the three states are non-existent as reality.

Remember: ~

Sage Sankara: ~ “VC~ All this universe which through ignorance appears as of diverse forms, is nothing else but Brahman (Consciousness) which is absolutely free from all the limitations of human thought.

The universe is the product of ignorance. The ignorance is present in the form of the ‘I’.

Sage Sankara says: - VC-47- All the effects of ignorance, root, and branch, are burnt down by the fire of knowledge, which arises from discrimination between these two—the Self and the non-Self.

Until you think you are an individual separate from the world and the world that existed prior to you and you are born in it afterward the ignorance will prevail as a reality. Till ignorance is there the universe prevails as reality.

Sage Sankara says: ~ “The exercise in discrimination between real and unreal and renunciation of the false is real meditation, then why you are indulging in other types of meditation.

Perfect understanding and realization of ‘what is what’ leads to Self-awareness. By holding onto theories one remains in the realm of duality. 

You have to mentally go on dropping what is not the truth through deeper Self-search. Finally when you become aware of the fact that, your ego, your body, and the world are one in essence then there is Self-awareness in the midst of duality. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar