Sage Sankara says: ~ “What is accepted without proper inquiry will not lead to the final Goal”.+

Sage Sankara says: ~ “What is accepted without a proper inquiry will not lead to the final Goal”. (Commentary on Vedanta Sutra) 

Nothing has to be accepted as truth without verification. 

‘WHO AM ‘I’? and ‘I AM THAT   are only stages.  They are helpful at the beginning of the pursuit of truth. As the seeker advances in his quest for truth, he finds them inadequate and useless. 

 The inner journey will not end with ‘WHO AM ‘I’? and ‘I AM THAT   the journey is incomplete.  It is WHO AM ‘I’? and ‘I AM THAT  teaching are final because they are only based on the form and they omit the time and space.

The journey will be completed only when we discover the truth of the whole that is the form, time, and space together. Thus, sticking to WHO AM ‘I’? and ‘I AM THAT  teaching as final and stopping the journey is foolish to venture.   If you are a serious seeker of truth and you want to realize the truth of your true existence then you must be ready to drop what is not needed in pursuit of truth.  Nothing has to be accepted without deeper verification.

All the teachings are useless so long as the highest Truth is unknown, and it is equally useless when the highest Truth has already been known.

Remember:~

If the ‘I’  be true, let it then be perceived in the state of deep sleep also. As it is not at all perceived, it must be unreal and false like dreams.  

The seeker has to dive deeper and deeper to unfold the mystery of his true existence.

The basic purpose of seeking the truth is to discover the truth of our true existence.  The truth of our true existence will be revealed only by discovering the source of physical existence. Physical existence means the universe.

First, analyze the universe.  How this universe came into existence. And what this universe is supposed to be in truth.

As you go deeper and deeper in analyzing you will discover that the universe is dependent on the ‘I’. Without the ‘I’ the universe ceases to exist.

The ‘I’ is the main ingredient to investigate.

As you go deeper you will find: ~ 

The ‘I’ appears along with the universe.

The ‘I’ disappears along with the universe.

As you go still deeper you will find.

The ‘I’ is there only when the mind is there.

The ‘I’ appears along with the mind.

The ‘I’ disappears along with the mind.

As you go deeper you will find: ~ 

The mind appears along with the universe.

 The mind disappears along with the universe.

As you go deeper you will find: ~ 

The universe appears along with waking experience

The universe disappears along with waking experience.

As you go deeper you will find: ~ 

 The dream universe appears along with the dream.

The dream universe disappears along with the dream.

The dream is a parallel waking experience

The waking experience is a parallel dream.

As you go deeper you will find: ~ 

‘I’ disappears in deep sleep.

Along with the ‘I’,  the mind disappears.

Along with ‘I,’ the universe disappears.

Along with ‘I,’ the waking disappears.

Along with the ‘I’ dream disappears.

So,

 ‘I’ is one behind the mind.

The ‘I’ is the one behind the universe.

The ‘I’ is the one behind the waking.

The ‘I’ is the one behind the dream.

So, 

Where this ‘I’ disappeared in deep sleep.

As you go deeper you will find: ~ 

The duality is present only when ‘I’ is present.

The duality is present only when the mind is present.

The duality is present only when the universe is present.

The duality is present only when the waking is present.

The duality is present only when the dream is present.

But

The duality is absent in deep sleep.

The ‘I’ is absent in deep sleep.

The mind is absent in deep sleep.

The universe is absent in deep sleep.

The waking is absent in deep sleep.

The dream is absent in deep sleep.

So,

In deep sleep, there is only non-duality.

So, find out,  

What is it that appears as duality and what is it that disappears nonduality?

~ It is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness is the cause of the ‘I’ and it itself is uncaused. 

The Soul ~ the One without the Second 

The Soul is the spiritual heart. The Soul is Self-evident. It is not established by extraneous proofs. It is not possible to deny the Soul because it is the very essence of the one who denies it. The Soul is the basis of all kinds of knowledge, presuppositions, and proofs. Self is within, the Self is without; the Self is before, the Self is behind; the Self is on the right, the Self is on the left;  the Self is above and the Self is below.  The Soul is everything. 

Thus, the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is the ultimate truth or Brahman. There is no need to accept what I write but verify by diving deeply to realize the truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space. :~Santthosh Kumaar 

If the ‘I’ be true, let it then be perceived in the state of deep sleep also.+

If the ‘I’  be true, let it then be perceived in the state of deep sleep also. As it is not at all perceived, it must be unreal and false like dreams.  

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

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.

Sage Sankara says ~ VC-162-  There is no liberation for a person of mere book-knowledge, howsoever well-read in the philosophy of Vedanta, so long as one does not give up the false identification with the body, sense organs, etc., which are unreal.

The seeker has to make sure what is this ‘I’ supposed to be? The seeker has to make sure the unreal nature of the ‘I’ which comes and goes to realize the truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space.

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

The ‘I’ hides the Soul, the Self.

People think the ‘I’ without the body is the Self. The seeker has to understand the fact that ‘I’ is not the Self, but the witness of the ‘I’ is the true Self, which is eternal.

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

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

The one who holds the ‘I’ as the Self never will be able to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. Thus, it is necessary to realize first the ‘I’ is not the Self, but the Soul the formless witness of the ‘I’ is the Self.

The ‘I’ based teaching and teachers are not a yardstick in the path of wisdom. ‘I’ based teaching will not lead the seeker to the ultimate end of his inner journey:

Different Gurus and teachers are pointing out the understanding of the Advaitic truth from different standpoints. All such understanding of Advaita is on the dualistic perspective accumulated from here and there.

Remember:~

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.

The citations from scriptures are not proofs.  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. 

It is not that one should pore over the ancient scriptures.  There is no need to study first, 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 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.

People refuse to accept anything other than their Gurus words. For them, their Gurus words are the ultimate truth. They do not accept anything else other than their accepted truth. There is no need to convince such a mindset.

Such a mindset is not fit to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. The seekers of truth accept only the truth nothing but the uncontradictable truth. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Realize what this ‘I’ in actuality then you will never use the word ‘I’ for the ‘Self’.+

The ‘Self is not within you but the ‘Self’ is within the ‘I’. Realize what this  ‘I’ is in actuality then you will never use the word ‘I’ for the ‘Self’.

The seeker has to make sure what is this ‘I’ supposed to be? The seeker has to make sure the unreal nature of the ‘I’ which comes and goes in order to realize the truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space.

‘I’  is not the reality. Whenever the ‘I’ is there the dualistic illusion is present. Whenever dualistic illusion is present the world in which you exist is present. The world in which you exist appears and disappears. 

Thus,  ‘I’ appears and disappears. The ‘I’ is not permanent. The Soul, the innermost Self is the witness of the coming and going, of the 'I’. It is erroneous to identify the Soul, the innermost Self as the ‘I'. ‘I’ represents ignorance. How can you watch the ‘I’ the truth which is hidden by the ‘I’? by you keeping quiet and keeping silent the truth will not emerge. 

The ‘I’ hides the Soul, the Self, which is present in the form of consciousness. 

Remember:~ 

If the Self is not ‘I’ but the Self is the Soul then from the standpoint of the Soul, the  Self:~

Where is the ‘I’? 

Where is the ego? 

Where is the body?

Where is the mind? 

Where is the world in which you exist? 

Where are the form, time, and space? 

Where is the waking experience? 

Where is the duality? 

Where is void? 

They are or have become one with the Soul which is present in the form of consciousness. The consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman.

The ‘I’ is present only when the mind is present. The mind is present only when the world is present. The world is present only when there is the waking experience. 

Deeper self-search reveals the fact that the waking experience is not considered different from the world. The world is not considered different from the mind. The mind is not considered different from the’ I’. This truth has to be assimilated. 

The ‘I’ is merely an illusion created out of the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. ‘I’ is not the subject. The ‘I’ is an object to the Soul, which is the formless, timeless, and spaceless subject. 

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then the world in which you exist is bound to be an illusion. 

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then three states, are bound to be an illusion. 

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then the form, time, and space are bound to be an illusion. 

If I’ is an illusion then the individual experience of birth, life, death is bound to be an illusion. 

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then the words and thoughts are bound to be an illusion. 

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then the duality is bound to be an illusion. 

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

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. 

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

The ‘I’ hides the Soul, the Self, which is present in the form of consciousness.  

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

When Bhagavad Gita says, God is considered the all-pervading consciousness which is the basis of all the animate and inanimate entities and material then nothing has to be accepted as God other than consciousness.

Consciousness is ever-present. Without consciousness, the world, in which you exist ceases to exist. Consciousness is Self-evident. It is not established by extraneous proofs. It is not possible to deny consciousness because it is the very essence of the one who denies it. Consciousness is the basis of all kinds of knowledge, presuppositions, and proofs. Consciousness is everything. Thus, consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth. :~Santthosh Kumaar 

"One without a Second” that is the Advaita.+

Advaita is not a religion. Advaita is not philosophy. Advaita is not yoga. Advaita is the nature of the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. Advaita is the Soul itself. Advaita is the ultimate truth. Advaita is Brahman. Advaita is God, the one without the second.

The word ‘One’ is not understood anywhere except in the Advaitic path. ‘One’ always means two when analyzed. Hence, the Upanishads are careful to show they do not mean this monism, but "One without a Second” that is the Advaita. No philosophers of the world have seen this point. Monism is really a pseudo-monism that is the duality.

Unless one realizes the Soul as the  Self, as it really is” it is impossible to realize the non-dualistic or Advaitic truth.  

In a lecture on Vedanta, delivered at Lahore on the 12th November 1897, Swami, Vivekananda asserted the superiority of Advaita in the following way: ~

Swami, Vivekananda:~ The same God whom the ignorant man saw outside nature, the same whom the little-knowing man saw as interpenetrating the universe, and the same whom the sage realizes as his own Self, as the whole universe itself-all are One and the same Being, the same entity seen from different standpoints, seen through different glasses of Maya, I perceived by different minds, and all the difference was caused by that. Not only so, but one view must lead to the other... Thus, you can see that this~ (Advaita) and this alone, and none else, can be the only scientific religion. . . . let us take the ignorant by the hand, lead them always step by step just as they can go, and know that every step in religious growth in India has been progressive. The Complete Works, Vol. 3, pp. 423, 424.

In the scientific field of knowledge, one can bank on discoveries of different scientists. Newton discovered the law of gravity and Einstein formulated the principle of relativity. And scientists take it for granted that these principles are valid. It is not so in pursuit of truth. If one sage discovers the ultimate truth, it cannot be accepted blindly by the seeker without verification.

The seeker has to discover a fresh on his own to realize’ what is the truth’ and ‘what is not the truth’ and accept only the truth and mentally drop the untruth. Thus, constant reflection on the subject is very much necessary in the pursuit of truth.

The dualist says: - the consciousness and mind are co-eternal. Each is independent o of others; each represents one complimentary aspect of reality. While the mind is present the consciousness is absent. It is through collaboration between these two aspects of reality that evolution takes place. Apart from these two aspects of reality, the realists or dualists do not recognize the ultimate reality transcending these, serving as the base of these.

Remember:~

From the dualistic perspective the world in which we exist as a reality. From the non-dualistic perspective, the world in which we exist is an illusion.

First, the seeker has to know ‘what is the mind” What is the substance of the mind? And ‘what is the source of the mind? , in order to realize ‘what is what’?

The mind is present in the form of the universe. The universe appears as waking or dream (duality) and disappears as deep sleep (nonduality). Thus, a perfect understanding of ‘what is what’ is necessary to realize that form, time, and space are an illusion created out of single stuff.

The purpose of the spiritual pursuit is to realize the whole world in, which we exist, is created out of single stuff. And that single stuff is the Soul which is present in the form of consciousness. The Soul is the Self.

From the standpoint of the Soul,  the Self, the world in which we exist is an illusion.

Nothing can be independent of consciousness because no second thing exists other than consciousness. The whole universe without form, time, and space is consciousness. Without the form, time, and space there is no universe but it is only the formless non-dual consciousness. But this truth has to be grasped to assimilate and realize the true essence of non-duality.

The ultimate conclusion is this there is no second thing that exists other than consciousness. Everything is consciousness. Thus, diversity has no value in light of wisdom. Thus, recognizing the world is nothing but an illusion created out of consciousness brings unity in diversity. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

All the religions of the world are based on the dualistic perspective. Whatever is based on the dualistic perspective is not spirituality.+

The world in which you exist is the product of ignorance. Ignorance is the cause of experiencing duality as reality.

The duality is 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) and disappears as deep sleep (nonduality).

The duality (universe or waking) is an illusion from the ultimate standpoint. 

All the thoughts, words,   feelings, attachments including you and your experience of the world are part of the dualistic illusion. The dualistic illusion (universe) is created out of single stuff. That single stuff is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.  

The Soul is the innermost self.    From the standpoint of the Soul, the innermost self no second thing exists other than consciousness. 

For the dualists,   the world in which we exist is a reality.  The dualists are based on the ego. Their knowledge and dualistic philosophy are egocentric.  For the dualists, the experience of birth, life, death, and the world is a reality.  

All the religions of the world are based on the dualistic perspective. Whatever is based on the dualistic perspective is not spirituality.  Even the orthodox Advaita is also based on the dualistic perspective, therefore, it is nothing to do with Sage Sankara’s Advaitic wisdom.

For nondualists, the world in which we exist is an illusion.  The Nondualists are based on the Soul, the Self.  The knowledge and nondualistic philosophy are based on the Soul, the Self.

The seeker has to learn to view the worldview from the non-dualistic perspective, to realize Advaita (Soul) hidden by the illusory Dvaita (the world).  

The look of the world in which we exist will depend upon the medium through which the observer views it. In fact, our mental and intellectual conditions determine the world in which we exist (object), observed and experienced.  The commoner viewing the world will see differently from a Gnani viewing the same world. Each one interprets the world that they see in terms of their existing knowledge. The commoner sees everything based on the ego, therefore, he sees the world in which he exists as a reality, whereas a Gnani sees everything as the consciousness and he is fully aware of the fact that, there is no second thing that exists other than the Soul or the consciousness (subject). Thus, all the objective observation has to be bifurcated to realize the ultimate truth, which is beyond form, time, and space.

Only from the dualistic perspective, the changes take place. From the non-dualistic perspective, there are no changes.  Those who believe in the dualistic world as a reality feel the knowledge changes from time to time but they must realize their knowledge is limited to the form, time, and space whereas Self-knowledge is the knowledge of the beyond the form, time, and space.

The change is possible only in ignorance. Ignorance is the cause of experiencing the world which exists as a reality.   Consciousness is the cause of the world in which we exist and it itself is uncaused.

The world in which we exist is dependent on the consciousness for its existence but the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is independent.  From the standpoint of the Soul, the innermost Self, the world in which we exist is merely an illusion.

 Only within the illusion the changes take place, the illusory changes within the illusion are bound to be an illusion. In reality, consciousness alone is real and eternal. Thus, the knowledge of the eternal will be always eternal. The intellectual knowledge based on form, time, and space is bound to change from time to time as science progresses in its dualistic inventions.     

The consciousness is ever changeless because it is a formless, timeless, and spaceless existence. 

Sage Sankara’s wisdom is not teaching or philosophy but Advaita is the universal wisdom. Advaitic wisdom is neither a teaching nor a theory but it is mere guidance to those who are seriously seeking the ultimate truth or Brahman. Grasp the ultimate truth anytime, any age, if the seeker has the spiritual maturity and capacity to grasp it. 

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 not-Self.

It really depends on his inborn natural capacity to understand and assimilate it.  Sage Sri, Sankara’s wisdom is a Self-examiner, to test oneself to discover how near to Gnana he has approached and what progress has already been made on the path, and what still remains to be done.  It sets up a criterion for Self-judgement.   There are millions in search of truth but one in million will be able to grasp it.

Without Sage Sankara, there is no Advaita (nonduality).  Since it was mixed up with orthodoxy there is a lot of confusion. I am highlighting all the obstacles, which are blocking one 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.

One has to know and realize his innermost Self is Soul and identify it as his true identity to find liberation from the bondage of the illusion of birth, life, death, and the world(duality).   The goal of our life is to find and realize our identity with our Soul, which is our Self. 

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) Vivekachoodamani v 56, pg. 25

To come to a more precise understanding of what non-duality is or might mean, we must return to the original linguistic and philosophic backgrounds from which the word has been translated into English.

 If we limit a probe of the meaning of non-duality to Hindu Sanskrit literature, we find that the most frequently used term is “Advaita.

Advaita” is not a religious concept.  Advaita is the nature of the existence hidden by form, time, and space.   The seeker has to attempt to rule out from the start a false understanding of reality by perfect understanding of ‘what is what’.

The Advaita is hidden by the dvaita. Advaita is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. Dvaita is the universe.

Advaita is basically a denial; it is literally the negation of the dvaita.  That means whatever remains by negating the universe by realizing the universe is created out of single clay and that clay is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, the hidden truth by dvaita uncovered.  Consciousness is the cause of the universe and it itself is uncaused.:~Santthosh Kumaar 

Mentally you must imbibe Advaitic wisdom of Sage Sankara.+

Humanity has to awaken to the reality of its true existence by realizing the world in which humanity exists is merely an illusion created out of the consciousness through Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana frees the Soul, the innermost Self from the cage of the dualistic illusion.

Sage Sankara says ~ VC-162- There is no liberation for a person of mere book knowledge, howsoever well-read in the philosophy of Vedanta, so long as one does not give up the false identification with the body, sense organs, etc., which are unreal.

The Soul is the Self. The Soul is present in the form of consciousness. Consciousness is indestructible and inseparable from itself because it is a formless, timeless, and spaceless existence.  Consciousness pervades in everything and everywhere in all three states.

The Soul the   Self is ever free from all taint.  The mind exists as an illusion within the Soul, the  Self.  Thus, the Soul or consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman or  God in truth.

Thus, consciousness is God and God pervades everything and everywhere in all three states.   Thus, the mystic claim that ‘I AM GOD’ is incorrect because God is not an individual because God pervades everything and everywhere in all three states.  Thus, there is no God but God in truth.

Thus, one has to realize the individual God propagated by the belief systems is mere imaginary Gods based on the false self within the false experience.

Verily the Soul the Self is all, free from differentiation and non-differentiation because it is a formless, timeless, and spaceless existence.  Neither can it be said, It is” not nor “It is not." It is a great mystery.

This is the whole substance of ultimate understanding.  Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is based on the Soul, the Self, whereas all other Knowledge is based on the ego. Whatever is based on the ego is bound to be a falsehood.

Remember:~

Don’t bother about anything other than the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. Only stick to the Soul, the ultimate truth, or Brahman or God in truth.  mentally Don’t let go of your hold on the Soul under any circumstances.

Unless and until ignorance is removed and  Self -Knowledge is gained, the world in which we exist will prevail as reality. Therefore, there is a need to know how this world came into existence.

The Soul, which we do not see, we say is real; and the world, which we do see, we say is false.

In Self-awareness,  what exists for us does not really exist; and what does not exist for us, really exists.

The ignorance creates the division of illusory form, time, and space in the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.  

The universe is based on illusory form, time, and space. without this illusory division of the form, time, and space within consciousness, the universe ceases to exist.

The illusory division of form, time, and space creates divisions based upon sex, race, nationality, religion or caste, and creed.

Remember:~

Mentally you must imbibe the Advaitic Truth of Sage Sankara.

Mentally you must shed ignorance and get disentangled from the myth propagated by the religious myth.

Mentally you must shed all the accumulated egocentric knowledge and get disentangled from the religious conditioning.

Mentally you must shed prejudices and get disentangled from the superficial distinctions.

Mentally you must tread the Atmic path to the formless, timeless, and spaceless existence. the path to the Soul, the real God,  One without the second. ...

When you enthrone the Soul, the one without the second mentally, you do not necessarily put an end to the game of dualistic life. You have to play your illusory role in the dualistic illusion without being caught up in duality play by remaining in this world, not of this world.  Unity in the midst of its diversity.  

The Soul is One and all divisions are imaginary. Be ye established in this eternal Truth

The Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness is an undivided and indivisible Ocean.  

The Atman, the Self cannot be experienced, because the experience is possible only in the realm of duality. Atman is prior to any experience. In Self-awareness,   there is neither experience nor experiencer. 

In Self-awareness, the body, ego, and the world are not considered different from consciousness. Thus, the whole universe (form, time, and space) in which we exist is nothing but an illusion created out of consciousness. Thus,  consciousness alone is real all else is merely an illusion created out of consciousness.   ~ Santthosh Kumaar

The seeker must get rid of this ‘I know attitude’ to realize the truth, which is hidden by the ignorance.+

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.

Skill is required in every field to drive a car or ride a bicycle, a preliminary training is required before a person is allowed to handle the vehicle but in the field of spirituality, the science of the Spirit, the Self, is the most difficult of all sciences.

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 not-Self.

Sage Sankara says - VC-162- There is no liberation for a person of mere book-knowledge, howsoever well-read in the philosophy of Vedanta, so long as one does not give up the false identification with the body, sense organs, etc., which are unreal.

Yoga Vasistha says:~ Self-knowledge or knowledge of truth is not had by resorting to a Guru (preceptor) nor by the study of scripture, nor by good works: it is attained only by means of inquiry inspired by the company of wise (Gnani). One’s inner light alone is the means, naught else. When this inner light is kept alive, it is not affected by the darkness of inertia.

Everyone thinks himself as Guru and he is competent because ~

He has mastered the scriptures.

or

He has studied under a famous Guru

or

He has performed all religious rituals and led orthodox oriented life and he has accumulated good karmas.

or

He has got a Ph.D. in world philosophy from a famous university

or

He is a scientist but he is well versed in Vedas.

or

He is the disciple of the famous Guru

or

He has done penance in the Himalayas.

or

He has stayed without food for years

or

He has renounced worldly life and takes sanyasa

or

He has done lots of charity

 or

He is well-versed in tantra and he got enlightenment through sex

or

His Guru given him the power of transmitting enlightenment to others

or 

He is a hata yogi

None of the above qualifies to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. From the Advaitic perspective, all these things have no value.

Remember:~

This ‘I’ know’ attitude is a great obstacle to acquiring Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. The seeker must get rid of this ‘I know attitude’ to realize the truth, which is beyond form, time, and space.

Humanity has to awaken to the reality of its true existence by realizing the world in which humanity exists is merely an illusion created out of the consciousness through Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana frees the Soul, the innermost Self from the cage of the dualistic illusion.

People dwelling in ignorance, but thinking themselves wise and erudite, go round and round by various blind beliefs and tortuous paths and practices, like the blind led by the blind.

The truth is very simple, but it is very difficult to grasp because of ignorance. You have to only realize the world in which you exist is created out of single clay. And that single clay is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Thus, you and your body and the world in which you exist are nothing but consciousness because they are merely an illusion created out of consciousness. A perfect understanding of ‘what is what’ is needed.

A Gnani can point at the sky, but the seeing of the star is the seeker's own work.

It is necessary to reflect on the same truth again and again till it becomes a reality. One needs to constantly reflect on the subject until he gets a firm conviction of what is what. Words are needed until one gets a firm conviction of ‘what is what’. People need reading and hearing the words of wisdom to think reason and reflect deeply and reach the ultimate end.

It takes time for the seeker to gain the perfect understanding of ‘what is the truth?’ and ‘’what is untruth?’. It takes time for the Soul, the innermost Self to wake up from the sleep of ignorance, and it takes time for one realizes the truth, which is beyond form, time, and space. :~Santthosh Kumaar