The orthodox dualist and nondulists sects are nothing to do with the ultimate truth or Brahman.+

The path of religion, the path of yoga, and the path of wisdom were intended for different classes of people. The wisdom is for the advanced seekers of truth. It deals with the nature of the ultimate Truth and Reality. It is meant for superior aspirants who have an inner urge to know the truth and it is not for those who are immersed in earthly desires.

The religious orthodox want to wage against modernity: secularism, science, reproductive rights, and the Enlightenment generally. The Orthodox mass, argues that any and all problems with the world can be attributed to the groups and ideas which they most dislike. One of the worst aspects of this attitude is how some religions latch on to any tragedy to promote their theocratic vision. Every religion argues that only their religion and their God can cure whatever ails this world.

History speaks that man has made it challenging and difficult to understand why he has experienced and witnessed such an array of human behavior. With constant introspection and the continued judgments of right and wrong, good and bad, just and unjust it has been a constant challenge to find and understand the truth behind his physical existence. This subject is super sensitive, yet if one is to continue in his pursuit of truth,  then there is a need for perfect understanding and assimilation. 

There is a  need to stop these wars and violence, which are going on in the name of religion and God, by knowing and understanding and realizing the universal truth, which is holding the whole universe in which humanity exists.   The universal truth alone is God all else is an illusion.

Religion is nothing to do with the ultimate truth of Brahman. If one is seeking the truth, then he has to be free from all the religious beliefs and dogmas. Religion is based on the ego (you),  whereas, the ultimate truth is based on the Soul, the Self. 

Whatever is based on the ego is an illusion and whatever is based on the Soul is the ultimate reality or Brahman. Thus, religion has to be bifurcated from spirituality to realize the truth beyond form, time, and space. 

Religion can never make you know God because it propagates blind belief as God. Only an intense urge to know what God is supposed to be in truth can make you realize God.  

The Soul, the ‘Self is the Infinite God. 

The Soul is the Self. God is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. God is the fullness of the consciousness without the illusory division of form, time, and space.  Therefore, there is nothing apart from it. 

God is Self-evident. God is not established by extraneous proofs. It is not possible to deny God because God is the very essence of the one who denies it. God is the basis of all kinds of knowledge, presuppositions, and proofs. God is within the universe in which you exist, the God is without the universe in which you exist.

The orthodox dualists and nondualist sects are nothing to do with the ultimate truth or Brahman.  The Orthodox Advaita considers, birth, life, death, rebirth, heaven, hell, sin, karma, and the world of reality, whereas  Sage Sankara says the world in which we exist is merely an illusion.  If the world is an illusion, then birth, life, death, rebirth, heaven, hell, sin, karma, and the world,  is bound to be an illusion. 

Remember:~

Without Sage Sankara, there is no Advaita (non-duality). Since it was mixed up with orthodoxy there is a lot of confusion. Sage Sankara’s quotes (selected verified) are quoted in my blogs and postings to show what Sage Sankara meant and ‘what is blocking the seekers from realizing the ultimate truth or Brahman. There are so many non-dualistic masters of the east and also from the west who expound Advaitic or non-dualistic knowledge, but none of them are helpful to reach the ultimate end. 

Religion is based on the false self (ego or waking entity or form) within the false experience (waking), whereas spirituality is based on the Soul, the Self.  The Soul, the innermost 'Self' has no religion because it is ever formless.

It is impossible to get Self-realization via religion because the religious truth is individual truth and the individual truth is dualistic. Spiritual truth is nondualistic and universal.

A person who realized the ultimate truth or Brahman will throw off his religious robe and his religious identity and becomes Avadhuta and live as he wishes. 

There is a clear-cut idea in the scriptures, of what is supposed to be God. And what not to worship in place of God then why worship the belief of God, which is not God in truth.

That is why Lord Krishna says Ch ~V: ~ “Those who know the Self in truth.". The last two words (tattvataha) are usually ignored by pundits, but they make all the difference between the ordinary concept of God and the truth about God.

Bhagavad Gita: ~ Brahmano hi pratisthaham ~ Brahman (God in truth) is considered the all-pervading consciousness, which is the basis of all the animate and inanimate entities and material. (14.27)

Rig Veda: ~ The Atman is the cause; Atman is the support of all that exists in this universe. May ye never turn away from the Atman, the Self. May ye never accept another God in place of the Atman nor worship other than the Atman?" (10:48, 5)

Yajurveda – chapter- 32:~  God is Supreme Spirit has no ‘Pratima’ (idol) or material shape. God cannot be seen directly by anyone. God pervades all beings and all directions. 

Thus, Idolatry does not find any support from the Vedas.

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad: ~ Brahman (God in truth) is in the form of the Athma, and it is indeed Athma itself.

People, who worship the belief of God, are hallucinating that they become one with such God.

Vedas itself declares: May ye never accept another God in place of the Atman nor worship other than the Atman? Thus, to know the real God Self-realization is necessary. Self-realization is God-realization. Self-realization itself is real worship. 

So, it clearly indicates that God is a formless, timeless, and spaceless existence.  Thus, there is no scope for God based on form, time, and space. The religion and its conceptual Gods, and its theories of karma, heaven, hell, papa, Punya, rebirth, and reincarnation are based on the false self, within the false experience. Therefore, they are meant for lower mindsets, they are of no use for those who are seeking higher truth as indicated in the scriptures.  

 There are many schools of thought in Hinduism based on the Vedas. These schools of thought are add-ons. Therefore, these add-ons have to be bifurcated from the original Vedic Religion, to get the pure Vedic essence.  

Religion is based on the false self (ego or waking entity or form) within the false experience (waking), whereas spirituality is based on the Soul, the  Self.  The Soul, the  'Self' has no religion because it is ever formless.

It is impossible to get Self-realization via religion because the religious truth is individual truth and the individual truth is dualistic. Spiritual truth is nondualistic and universal.

A person who realized the ultimate truth or Brahman will throw off his religious robe and his religious identity and becomes Avadhuta and live as he wishes. 

Remember:~

Religion is nothing to do with Advaita. Advaitic sect belongs to religion. Advaita is pure spirituality. Advaitic sect is dualistic is nothing to do with the Advaitic truth which is hidden by the illusion.

Mixing religion and spirituality is like mixing oil and water.

Religion is regarded as sacred and real by the common people, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.

The religion and its sects are based on form, time, and space whereas the Spirituality is based on the Atman the formless, timeless, and spaceless existence.

Religions hold birth, life, death, and the world as a reality. From the ultimate standpoint, the world in which we exist is an illusion created out he the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

 The seeker must know the difference between religion and spirituality. Many people think the religion itself as spirituality.

Spirituality leads to discovering the truth which is hidden by form, time, and space.

Advaita is universal. Advaita is not for sale. Do not buy Advaita from the spiritual supermarket. Advaita is the nature of the Soul, the  Self.

Remember:~

The world in which you exist is created out of single stuff. That single stuff is consciousness. Knowledge of the single stuff is Advaitic wisdom.

Advaitic truth is very simple, but it is very difficult to realize because you have accumulated mental garbage from different sources in the name of Advaita. Until you discard all the accumulated knowledge you will never be able to realize the Advaitic truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space.

The Advaita is the nature of the Soul, the Self shines in its own awareness when wisdom dawns.

The Advaita is the Soul is the cause and the support of all that exists in the world in which we exist.

The Advaita is present in the form of consciousness. Advaita is the root element of the universe. From the Advaita, the universe comes into existence. In the Advaita, the universe resides. And into the Advaita, the universe is dissolved. The Advaita is the parent of all that is there. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

The Religious rituals and the tradition will keep one locked in the domain of ignorance.+

Self- Knowledge is true knowledge not the absence of duality. Self -Knowledge cannot destroy the world,  but it eliminates ignorance and exposes the unreal nature of the mind or universe.

Buddha, Sage Sankara, and Sage Goudpada have declared nondualistic truth centuries back,  but one has to reach the destination with the scientific (rational) investigation, not through punditry and intellectuality. One has to mentally reach the final conclusion then only the conviction becomes firm. Without firm conviction, wisdom will not dawn. Therefore, there is a need to know consciousness is real all else is a myth, which Sage Sankara declared as the world is a myth Brahman alone is real.

Sage Sankara says Atman is Brahman and everything is Brahman is a scientific declaration not religious or yogic. Sage Sankara and Sage Goudpada are more scientific than anyone else in the world. Since the real Advaitic essence is hidden it cannot be got without the inner (mental) journey.

Sage Goudpada says that: - The merciful Veda teaches karma and Upasana to people of lower and middling intellect, while Jnana is taught to those of higher intellect.

Gnana here is knowledge un-contradictable truth or scientific truth. Thus their scientific truth of the whole, not the part is declared by Sage Sankara 1400 years back and thought only to those of higher intellect. Thus karma and Upasana, yoga, and orthodoxy have to be bifurcated to realize the ultimate truth or Brahman.

Advaitic Wisdom is for those who are capable of inquiring into their own existence to know and realize the ultimate truth or Brahman. 

The Upanishads are the only scriptures in the world that say:~

It is impossible to find and realize the truth via religion and scriptural study. Without breaking away from religion and ancient traditions it is impossible to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.   The Religious rituals and the tradition will keep one locked in ignorance. and ignorance is the cause of experiencing the illusory duality as a reality. 

Sage Sankara gave religious, rituals, and dogmatic instruction to the mass but pure philosophy only to the few who could rise to it. Hence the interpretation of his writings by commentators is often confusing because they mix up the two viewpoints. Thus they may assert that ritual is a means of realizing Brahman which is absurd. 

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)

It is clear that liberation cannot be the result of good works, for Sruti itself declares that there is no hope for immortality through wealth.  (Verses -7)

According to Advaita Vedanta, the Veda addresses itself to two kinds of audiences - the ordinary ones who desire the transitory heaven and other pleasures obtained as a result of ritual sacrifices, and the more advanced seeker who seeks to know Brahman. Thus, the Purva mimam. sa, with its emphasis on the karma kanda of the Vedas, is meant for the first audience, to help lead its followers along the way. However, the Vedanta, with its emphasis on the Jnana kanda, is meant for those who wish to go beyond such transient pleasures.

Katha Upanishad: ~ This Atman cannot be attained by the study of the Vedas, or by intelligence, nor by much hearing of sacred books. It is attained by him alone whom It chooses. To such a one Atman reveals Its own form. (Katha Upanishad Ch-II -23-P-20)

Mundaka Upanishad: ~ This Atman cannot be attained through 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 –page-70  Upanishads by Nikilanada)

When the Upanishad says: ~ The human goal is to acquire Self-Knowledge and they indicate the personal Gods, scriptures, worship, and rituals are not the means to Self –Knowledge, then why anyone should indulge in it. The religion, concept of individualized God, and belief in physical Guru scriptures are the greatest obstacle to realizing non-dualistic truth or Self-realization because they are based on a false self.  The seeker of truth has to search for the ultimate truth without losing himself in the labyrinths of philosophy, through deeper self-search and assimilate and realize it.

That is why Sage Sankara, indicated in Bhaja Govindam says:~ (Jnana Viheena Sarva Mathena Bajathi na Muktim janma Shatena) ~ One without knowledge does not obtain liberation even in a hundred births, no matter which religious faith he follows.

Then it is no use going a roundabout way, trace the Brahman which is the formless substance, and witness of the universe, which is in the form of the mind.  By tracing the source of the mind or universe one will be able to realize the Brahman.

Thus, Self-knowledge is meant only for those who have an intense urge, and courage to accept the truth with humility and reject the untruth. Since people start comparing their scriptural knowledge, it becomes impossible to assimilate and realize the non-dual truth.   Therefore, there is no need to convince anyone other than our own selves to get a firm conviction. 

So they clearly indicate rituals and theories are not meant for those who are searching for higher knowledge or wisdom.   The path of wisdom is the only means. 

Isa Upanishads indicate that:~ By worshipping Gods and Goddesses and going to the world of Gods after death is of no use.  The time one spends in ritualistic practices is wasted; one can spend the same time moving forward toward Self-knowledge, which is the main goal. One cannot reach the non-dual destination by glorifying God and Goddesses and by doing that, one goes deeper and deeper into the darkness. It surely indicates the fact that the seeker of truth has to drop the worshiping God and Goddess to get self-knowledge.

The seeker of truth read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider and discover the truth by using his own reason.  The greatest and noblest pleasure that a seeker can have is to discover new truths and drop old prejudices and accumulated knowledge.

To understand and assimilate one needs the spiritual language of silence; one must speak from the standpoint of the consciousness which is the language of the Soul ~ which is humility, the intense urge for inner growth, listening, and without arguing on some theoretical or some authority or some famous men‘s point of view. :~Santthosh Kumaar  

Sage Sankara says:~ The scriptures dealing with rituals addressed to an ignorant person.+

Sage Sankara:~  VC~.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?

VC-  v6~ 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.

The belief of God is not God. Holding blind belief-based Gods is holding an illusion as a  reality because the belief is possible only within the realm of duality. Duality is merely an illusion from the ultimate standpoint.  

Without the blind belief-based God, the belief system holds no water.  Belief is not God. Belief needs a believer.  The believer needs to be born in this world. If the believer is born then he is part of the illusion.   Without the believer, there is no belief.  The believer and his world and his blind belief-based God are part of the illusion because the self is birth-less because the Self is non-dual. 

The one, which is born, lives, and dies, is not the self.    The innermost self is a formless substance and witness of the falsehood (universe or waking or illusion), which is the Soul or consciousness, consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth. 

Belief makes the Soul permanently remain in ignorance.  Ignorance makes the Soul experience the duality as reality. Belief implies duality. The duality is not reality.  Thus, the path of bhakti,  the path of karma, and the path of yoga are based on the dualistic perspective, therefore, they are the path of ignorance. Therefore, the seekers who are searching for ultimate truth or Brahman have to discard all the egocentric paths in order to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.  

Dogmas and beliefs, rituals, and ceremonies are the essences of the religion,  not of the spirituality. When religion has become merely a matter of external rituals and ceremonies. 

Religion hides the truth beyond form, time, and space.  Until the form, time and space are present the duality is present. The duality creates the illusory prison to the Soul, the Self.

Remember:~

Yajurveda – chapter- 32:~    God is Supreme Spirit has no ‘Pratima’ (idol) or material shape. God cannot be seen directly by anyone. God pervades all beings and all directions. 

Thus,   Idolatry does not find any support from the Vedas.

The religious Gods are man-made.  Every religion has its own idea of God.   He who thinks God is one and the Soul, the Self is another can never be able to understand, assimilate realize the Advaitic truth.   

Sage Sankara says:~ The scriptures dealing with rituals, and rewards are therefore addressed to an ignorant person.  

Sage Sankara:~ (11) As regards the rituals, Sage Sankara says, the person who performs rituals and aspires for rewards will view himself in terms of the caste into which he is born, his age, and the stage of his life, his standing in society, etc. In addition, he is required to perform rituals all through his life. However, the 'Self' has none of those attributes or tags. Hence, the person who superimposes all those attributes on the changeless, eternal Self and identifies Self with the body is confusing one for the other and is, therefore, an ignorant person. The scriptures dealing with rituals, rewards, etc. are therefore addressed to an ignorant person.  -Adhyasa Bhashya 

Sage Sankara:~ (11.1) This ignorance (mistaking the body for Self) brings in its wake a desire for the well-being of the body, aversion for its disease or discomfort, fear of its destruction, and thus a host of miseries(anartha). This anartha is caused by projecting karthvya(“doer” sense) and bhokthavya (object) on the Atman. Sage Sankara calls this adhyasa. The scriptures dealing with rituals, rewards, etc. are, therefore, he says, addressed to an ignorant person. -Adhyasa Bhashya 

Sage  Sankara:~ (11.2) In short, a person who engages in rituals with the notion “I am an agent, doer, thinker”, according to Sage Sankara, is ignorant, as his behavior implies a distinct, separate doer/agent/knower; and an object that is to be done/achieved/known. That duality is avidya, an error that can be removed by vidya. -Adhyasa Bhashya 

Sage Sankara: ~ (12) Sage Sankara affirming his belief in one eternal unchanging reality (Brahman) and the illusion of plurality, drives home the point that Upanishads deal not with rituals but with the knowledge of the Absolute (Brahma vidya) and the Upanishads give us an insight into the essential nature of the Self which is identical with the Absolute, the Brahman. -Adhyasa Bhashya 

Sage Sri Sankara: ~ Atman, the innermost self is verily Brahman (God), being equanimous, quiescent, and by nature absolute Existence, Knowledge, and Bliss. Atman is not the body that is non-existence itself. This is called true Knowledge by the wise. 

That is why Sage Sankara says: ~ VC-63. Without causing the objective universe to vanish and without knowing the truth of the Self, how is one to achieve Liberation by the mere utterance of the word Brahman? — It would result merely in an effort of speech.

65. As a treasure hidden underground requires (for its extraction) competent instruction, excavation, the removal of stones and other such things lying above it, and (finally) grasping, but never comes out by being (merely) called out by name, so the transparent Truth of the Self, which is hidden by Maya and its effects, is to be attained through the instructions of a knower of Brahman, followed by reflection, meditation and so forth, but not through perverted arguments.

The belief system was coherent because they had a transcendent God as a central doctrine, whereas in pursuit of truth God cannot be considered as the center.

First, one should not hold a God as the center of existence without verification. Both the theist and atheist are theories with nothing to do with ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth.

Remember:~

Hinduism indulges non-Vedic beliefs such as idolatry, ancestor worship, pilgrimages, priestcraft, offerings made in temples, the caste system, untouchability, and child marriages. All of these lack Vedic sanctions, therefore, Hinduism is not Ancient Vedic religion or Santana Dharma.

Realizing the universe is created out of single stuff and that single stuff is the Soul which is present in the form of consciousness leads to non-dualistic or Advaitic self-awareness. Self-awareness is freedom or Moksha. Moksha is unity in diversity in the midst of duality. 

Changing one religion to another; is like going from one prison to another. If religion does not help the populace to emancipate the Soul from the illusory bondage and realize the truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space, it has no useful purpose to serve. It is time that the populace must become aware of the truth beyond form, time, and space.   The ultimate truth is Brahman or God.

Self-realization is truth realization. And Truth realization is God-realization. There is no room for duality in reality. Wherever there is individuality there is duality.   Truth -realization is the final goal.:~Santthosh Kumaar 

Ashtavakra Gita :~ If you feel the ‘Self’ is the ‘I’, then you are not a wise man or a seeker.+

Ashtavakra:~ The first incident happened before Ashtavakra was born. Nothing is known of what came afterward, but this is an incident while he was still in the womb. His father, who was a great scholar, would recite the Vedas every day while Ashtavakra listened from the womb. One day a voice came from the womb saying, "Stop it! This is all nonsense. There is no wisdom whatsoever in this. Mere words -- just a collection of words. Is wisdom found in scriptures? Wisdom is within oneself. Is the truth found in words? The Truth is within oneself." 

Osho: ~ Man has many scriptures, but none comparable to the Gita of Ashtavakra. Before it the Vedas pale, the Upanishads speak with a weak voice. Even the Bhagavad Gita does not have the majesty found in the Ashtavakra Samhita -- it is simply unparalleled.

The most important thing is that neither society nor politics nor any other institution of human life have had any influence on the sayings of Ashtavakra. They are such a pure expression ~ transcending emotion, transcending time and death ~ there is nothing comparable.

Perhaps this is why Ashtavakra's Gita, the Ashtavakara Samhita, has not had much impact. Krishna's Bhagavad Gita has been very influential. The first reason is that Krishna's Gita is a synthesis. He is more concerned with synthesis than with truth. The desire for synthesis is so strong that if necessary Krishna doesn't mind sacrificing the truth a little.

Krishna's Gita is a hodgepodge containing everything; hence it suits everyone because there is something in it for everyone. It is difficult to find any tradition whose voice is not found in the Gita. It is difficult to find anyone who does not take solace from the Gita. But for such people, Ashtavakra's Gita will prove very difficult.

Ashtavakra is not for synthesis -- he is a man of truth. He speaks the truth just as it is, without any artifice or coloring. He is not concerned about the listener, he does not care whether his listener will understand or not. Such a pure expression of truth has never happened anywhere before, nor has it ever happened again. - (MAHA GITA)

The seeker has to realize: ~

The Self is not the ‘I’. The ‘I’ is present in the form of the mind. By limiting the mind or the ‘I’ to the waking entity (you) is the main hurdle in the pursuit of truth.  Therefore, the seeker of truth must investigate ‘what is the mind?’   in order to realize the mind ('I')  is not limited to ego or waking entity but ‘I’ is the mind. The mind is present in the form of the universe. And the universe appears as waking or dream (duality) and disappears as deep sleep (nonduality).   

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

Ashtavakra Gita 16:10:~ If you desire liberation, but you still say "mine," If you feel the ‘Self’ is the ‘I’, You are not a wise man or a seeker. You are simply a man who suffers.

Manduka Upanishads: ~    Even the Gods cannot find out who is a Gnani because he bears no external mark. Neither nudity nor the religious robe has anything to do with him.

Sage Sankara clearly indicates in Viveka Chudamani (2) that the Knower of the Atman (A Gnani) "bears no outward mark of a holy man" (Stanza 539).  

Sage Sankara page 482: On Gnani: ~ "The knower of Brahman wears no signs. Gives up the insignia of a monk's life…his signs are not manifest, nor his behavior." 

Sage Sankara: ~ The Knower of the Atman or the knower of Brahman or Brahma Gnani.

When the knower of Brahman (Gnani) wears no signs it means he does not identify himself as Guru or yogi or teacher or Swami because a Gnani sees the form, the time and space are one in essence. Thus, there is unity in diversity in his realization.

Swami Vivekananda said:~  “You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher, but your own Soul.”

The scriptures are not needed in the pursuit of truth. Even the Upanishads and the sages of truth declare the same.

Katha Upanishads:~ This Atman cannot be attained by the study of the Vedas, or by intelligence, or by much hearing of sacred books. It is attained by him alone whom It chooses. To such a one Atman reveals Its own form. (Katha Upanishad Ch-II -23-P-20)

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 –page-70 Upanishads by Nikilanada)

The ultimate truth has to be ascertained without the scriptures by realizing the Self is neither the waking entity not the dream entity, but the Self is the formless Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

In the realm of truth the form, time, and space are created out of single stuff. That single stuff is consciousness. Realizing the single stuff as ultimate truth is Self-realization or truth realization. To realize this truth,  there is no need for scriptures. 

The ultimate truth has to be realized first, then only it is possible to know what the scriptures are saying.

Scriptures are being added from time to time. This process will go on. There is the final authority among them? One contradicts the other: duality reigns supreme.

I quote Scriptural citation only after verification reality and has proved the truth, to point out that the scriptures teach the same thing. If one quotes them before having demonstrated truth, then it is scholasticism. 

All the happiness and suffering are part of the duality.  From the non-dualistic perspective, the duality is merely an illusion. 

Thus, our happiness and suffering are based on the birth entity. The Self is no birth entity because the ‘Self’ is birthless and deathless. The Soul, the Self is not an individual.: ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Sage Sankara:~ "Without knowing and examining the external world, one can’t know the Truth.+

Chandogya Upanishad~ sarvam khalvidam Brahma ~ all this (universe) is verily Brahman. By following back all of the relative appearances in the world, we eventually return to that from which it is all manifest – the non-dual reality (Chandogya Upanishad).  

The world is both real and unreal. It is real because it is a manifestation of consciousness, but is unreal, in the sense, that it is not absolute and eternal like consciousness itself.

People's approach is more practical, and they stuck with the reality of the world, they take it as real. That is why all the confusion. 

Sage Sankara:~  VC~.63 says: "Without knowing and examining the external world, one can’t know the Truth, as the idea that the external world exists, won't go. It can go only by an inquiry into the nature of the external world.

There is no need to study Advaita Vedanta or Buddhism to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.  All accumulated knowledge is of no use to realize the Advaitic truth beyond the form, time, and space.

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, in something which is detrimental to our spiritual progress

There is no need to study Advaita Vedanta to realize the Advaitic truth beyond form, time, and space. Advaita is not a theory or a philosophy. Advaita is the nature of the Soul, the innermost Self.  There is no need for any theory or philosophy or scriptures to acquire Self-knowledge. Only a perfect understanding of ‘what is what’ is needed.

There is no need to buy books of Sage Sankara in order to acquire Self-knowledge. A perfect understanding of 'what is what' is needed. Nothing else is a need other than realizing the fact that, the form, time, and space are one in essence and that essence is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness in order to get the  Advaitic  Self-awareness.

Self-knowledge cannot be attained by the study of the scriptures and intellectual understanding or by bookish knowledge.  Therefore, there is no use in studying the scriptures and other scriptures in order to acquire non-dual wisdom.  That is why Buddha rejected the scriptures, and even Sage Sankara indicated that the ultimate truth lies beyond religion,  the concept of God, and the scriptures.

Fortunate is the one who does not lose themselves in the labyrinths of philosophy. Fortunato is the man who does not lose himself in the labyrinths of philosophy but goes straight to the source from the universe arise.

There is only one Reality to be known, the same for all seekers, but the ways to it, are hidden by the religion.  Self-discovery is the only way, towards the non-dualistic absolute without any religious doctrines, which will help the seekers to unfold the mystery of the illusion in which we all are searching for the truth of our true existence.

Sage Sankara said:~Neither by the practice of yoga nor philosophy, nor by good works, nor by learning, does liberation come, but only through the realization that Atman and Brahman are one in no other way. (1) VivekaChudamani v 56, pg 25

The citations from scriptures are not proof.  The ultimate truth has to be proved without the scriptures.  The ultimate truth is the universal truth and it does not belong to any religion.  Religion causes diversity in unity, whereas, the ultimate truth brings unity in diversity. 

That is why Sage Sankara himself says: ~ VC 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?

It is not that one should pore over the ancient scriptures.  There is no need to study first, and then realize. One has to realize first, then only he will know ‘what is the truth?’ and ‘what is untruth’. One has to make his discoveries through the process of rational thinking.

That is why Sage Sankara says:~ V C:~65- As a treasure hidden underground requires (for its extraction) competent instruction, excavation, the removal of stones and other such things lying above it and (finally) grasping, but never come out by being (merely) called out by name, so the transparent Truth of the Self, which is hidden by Maya and its effects, is to be attained through the instructions of a knower of Brahman, followed by reflection, meditation and so forth, but not through perverted arguments.

He who has not rectified his reasoning base from the ‘I’(form) base to Soul (formless) base and one who does not have the intense urge to know the non-dualistic or Advaitic truth,  and who is not tranquil and subdued and whose mind is not receptive, cannot acquire Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. 

When we realize the form, time and space are one, in essence, then it leads to Advaitic  Self-awareness.  In Self-awareness,   even though there is diversity,  there is unity in diversity, because everything is created of the same stuff. That stuff is consciousness. There is no second thing that exists other than consciousness.  

Remember: ~

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 a reality. Until the universe prevails as a reality the ignorance thrives. 

 That is why Sage Sankara says: ~ VC-63-Without causing the objective universe to vanish and without knowing the truth of the ‘Self’ how is one to achieve Liberation by the mere utterance of the word Brahman? — It would result merely in an effort of speech.

Ignorance will never vanish without Advaitic wisdom.  The ignorance will not vanish without inquiring into the nature of the universe. 

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.

When you finally realize the ‘‘Self’ ‘is not you but the ‘‘Self’’ is the Soul then you will realize the world in which you exist is merely an illusion created out of the Soul. The Soul is present in the form of consciousness.

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

All is consciousness. The whole universe is consciousness. From consciousness, the universe comes. When the universe disappears, the consciousness still remains without form, time, and space.:~  Santthosh Kumaar

Kena Upanishad 2-5 . If you do not realize Brahman (God in truth) in one life, you are a great loser.+

Kena Upanishad 2-5 mentions that  Brahman (God)  can be realized in one life. If you do not realize in one life, you are a great loser.

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.

In ignorance there is duality. In wisdom, there is the only nonduality. The Soul the innermost self is one without the second. The Soul is present in the form of consciousness (spirit).  

It is the same consciousness (Soul) manifests as the whole universe. Consciousness itself is the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth.  Consciousness is the ultimate cause of the universe and it itself is uncaused.  The seeker of truth must convince himself of this truth by Soulcentric reasoning.

A Gnani wears no signs it means he does not identify himself as Guru or teacher or Swami. 

Sage Sankara: On Gnani: "The knower of Brahman wears no signs. Gives up the insignia of a monk's life…his signs are not manifest, nor his behavior." 

When the knower of Brahman (Gnani) wears no signs it means he does not identify himself as Guru or yogi or teacher or Swami. 

If someone has acquired Self-knowledge and shares his acquired knowledge with others, they cannot say that there is nothing for them to do. Everyone has to discover a fresh for himself by verifying all the facts. Each one has to grasp assimilate and realize it until he gets a firm conviction of the ultimate truth or Brahman.

The mind appears due to ignorance. Without ignorance, the mind (I) ceases to exist.  Thus, the mind is in the form of the universe and appears as a waking or dream.  The waking or dream is the state of duality. Thus, the seeker has to hold wherever there is duality there is ignorance.  

If the duality is considered as reality then the experience of birth, life, death, and the world is considered as a reality.  If the experience of birth, life, death, and the world is considered as reality then the form, time, and space become a reality. 

If form, time, and space become a reality as reality then there is diversity in unity.  To bring back the unity in diversity, one has to put the ego in reverse gear until it reaches the ultimate end or source from where the mind rises and subsides.      

Remember:~

The Seeker has to grow from the inside out by Soulcentric reasoning. None can teach him none can make him reach the ultimate end of understanding. There is no other guru, but the formless Soul or the consciousness, which is the Self.

If anyone is sharing Self- knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana they are doing a great help to humanity. I respect everyone who is sharing self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

There is no need to tell anyone.   The pursuit of truth is the pursuit of verification not the pursuit of an argument.  Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana does not belong to any Guru or yogi because it is the universal property. 

Only those who have directly known truly realized the ultimate Truth and can have the perseverance and passion to share it.

From the  Nondualistic perspective, there is neither illusion nor delusion. The form, time, and space are part of the duality, which is merely an illusion. 

There is no such delusion in the realm of the  Nondualistic reality because form, time, and space are one in essence. That essence is the Soul which is present in the form of consciousness. Consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman because there is no second thing that exists other than consciousness.:~Santthosh Kumaar