It is no use arguing Bhagavan Buddha is wrong or Sage Sankara is right, but where we are going wrong in our understanding propagated by the great Sages of the past.+

It is no use arguing Bhagavan Buddha is wrong or Sage Sankara is right, but where we are going wrong in our understanding of the non-dualistic or Advaitic truth, propagated by the great Sages of the past. Some say, that without the sunyavada, Advaita philosophy could not have come into existence because Advaita starts from where sunyavada ends. That is why they say it is an extension of Buddhism. If Advaita existed prior to Bhagavan Buddha, he would not have advocated sunyavada at all because Advaita is the final and ultimate truth.

Since the Buddhist and the Vedic scriptures have been passed down by hearing, they were written down only relatively late, so one wouldn't know whether to rely on the times they give. Also, a lot depends on the translation. Each 'Sloka' or sutta is open to many layers of interpretation.

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.

Sage Sankara himself had often said that his philosophy was based on Sruti, or revealed scripture. This may be because Sage Sankara addressed the ordinary man, who finds security in the idea of causality and thus in the idea of God—and Revelation is indispensable to prove the latter. He believed that those of superior intelligence, have no need for this idea of divine causality, and can, therefore, dispense with Sruti and arrive at the truth of Non-Dualism by pure reason.

Sage Sankara’s Supreme Brahman is Nirguna (without the Gunas), Nirakara (formless), Nirvisesha (without attributes), and Akarta (non-agent). He is above all needs and desires.

Sage Sankara says:~ "This Atman is self-evident. This Atman or Self is not established by proofs of the existence of the Self. It is not possible to deny this Atman, for it is the very essence of he who denies it. Atman is the basis of all kinds of knowledge. The Self is within, the Self is without, the Self is before and the Self is behind. The Self is on the right hand, the Self is on the left, the Self is above and the Self is below".

Satyam-Jnanam-Anantam-, are not separate attributes. They form the very essence of Brahman. Brahman cannot be described because the description implies a distinction. Brahman cannot be distinguished from any other than He.

The objective world-the world of names and forms has no independent existence. The Atman alone has real existence. The world is only phenomenal.

Sage Sankara was the exponent of Advaita wisdom. Sage Sankara's Advaitic wisdom can be summed up in the following words:~

Brahma Satyam Jagat Mithya,

Jeevo Brahmaiva Na Aparah

Brahman alone is real, this world is unreal; the Jiva is identical to Brahman.

As one indulges in deeper self-search he becomes aware: - As per the religious archaeologists' view: the date of Sage Sri, Sankara may be taken most correctly as that of the 9th century. Some claims are made in India that he lived two thousand years ago, but there is absolutely no proof for this claim. They do not go back farther than the 12th century A.D. and that all so-called evidence for Sage Sri Sankara having lived two centuries before Christ is either were conjectures or orthodox fabrication.

Regarding the question of Sage Sankara's death, one may dismiss the legend that he did not die, at the age of 32, but disappeared into a cave. This is another orthodox story that is quite unfounded. He did really die in the Himalayas at that age.

As one goes into the annals of history, one becomes aware of the fact that; the spiritual Advaita is mixed up with punditry. Therefore, there is a need to do his own research to know the true essence of Advaita propounded by Sage Sankara, and Sage Gudapada, and the emptiness of the Bhagavan Buddha.

How Sage Sankara could have written so many books during such a short term of existence. The fact is that he wrote very few books. Those actually written by him were Commentaries on Brahma Sutras and the Upanishads and on the Gita. All other books ascribed to him were not written down by his own hand.

Sage Sankara wrote his Manduka commentary first, and then as this revealed that he thoroughly understood the subject, his gurus requested him to write the commentary on Badarayana's Brahma Sutras, which was a popular theological work universally studied throughout India. That is why his commentary is written from a lower dualistic point, for those who cannot rise higher, save that here and there Sage Sankara occasionally has strewn a few truly Advaitic sentences.

Sage Sankara had only four fully trained disciples, although he advised some kings. His doctrines spread after his lifetime. Sage Sankara’s books were dictated to secretaries as he traveled, therefore, only a few were capable of understanding his philosophy.

Nearly all orthodox hold views of Maya which are entirely incorrect and untenable. They do not know Sage  Sankara's Upanishad Bashyas, but only the Brahma Sutra Bashya.

Sage Sankara varied his practical advice and doctrinal teaching according to the people he was amongst. He never told them to give their particular religion or beliefs or metaphysics completely; he only told them to give up the worst features of abuse: at the same time, he showed just one step forward towards the truth.

In Brahma Sutras, Sage Sankara says that Brahman is the cause of the world, whereas in Manduka he denies it. This is because he says that at the lower stage of understanding, the former teaching must be given, for people will get frightened as they cannot understand how the world can be without a cause, but to those in a higher stage, the truth of non-causality can be revealed.

Brahma Sutras, i.e. "Vedanta Sutras" by Badarayana, are intended for those of middling intellects, not for those who have the best brains: it is a semi-theological, semi-philosophical work; it starts with the assumption that Brahman exists.

The opening sentence is "All this is Brahman." But nobody knows or has seen Brahman.

If one says "All this is gold" and shows a piece of gold, the words are understandable. Suppose one has never seen gold. Then what is the use it becomes meaningless when the object indicated is seen by none.

Hence, the Brahma Sutra opening is equivalent to "All this is Brahman". Both have no meaning so long as they are not understood if we take them as the data to start from. It is for this reason, the Brahma Sutra is intended for theological mindsets because it begins with dogma although its reasoning is close. For it starts with something imagined.

Critics who declare Sage Sankara's Advaitic wisdom as negative (because of his Neti, Neti) do not know that this is applied only to the witnessed (three states), the critic ignorantly believes that it is also applied to the formless witness (soul). The seeker should never negate the formless witness, only witnessed.

Sage Sankara himself had often said that his philosophy was based on Sruti, or revealed scripture. This may be because Sage Sankara addressed the ordinary man, who finds security in the idea of causality and thus in the idea of God—and Revelation is indispensable to prove the latter. He believed that those of superior intelligence, have no need for this idea of divine causality, and can, therefore, dispense with Sruti and arrive at the truth of Non-Dualism by pure reason.

Scriptural mastery is not wisdom:~

That is why 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 the Atman that reveals to the seeker Its true nature. (3 page-70- Mundaka Upanishad. Upanishads by Nikilanada)

The Veda serves only at the starting point. What one has to learn from Veda must be understood through the exercise of reason, as far as reason might go. And what one has understood must be realized in one’s life.

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 truth’ and ‘what is untruth’.

There are hundreds of commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita. Each one goes on spinning yarns imagining as he likes what the meaning may be. But once one acquires Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana he will know what they really meant, he will see that there is only one possible interpretation, irrespective of his opinion or imagination.

A permanent view of the world as unreal can come only after soul-centric reasoning; such knowledge cannot change. Were the seeker is 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 half-truth.

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 most 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.

As one goes deeper into the subject one becomes aware of the fact that the religion, scriptures, and concept of God is nothing to do with the religious side of Advaita, the present religious-based Advaitic knowledge and theories are meant for the ignorant mass, who hold the religion as high, not the ultimate truth because religion is based on the form (waking entity) and they view and judge and argue on the base of the waking entity(ego) as the Self, but Gnanic Advaita is based on the formless (Soul) and it negates everything other than the formless Soul, the Self.

All the conceptual divisions were invented by different philosophers by their excessive analysis.  all these concepts are never-ending.  they create more confusion and then they try to explain in their own way. Fortunate is the seeker who does not lose himself in the labyrinths of philosophies. 

Ignorance is the cause of experiencing the duality (universe or waking) as reality. Thus, eradicating ignorance completely is necessary. And this is possible only through self-knowledge. Thus, there is no other road to freedom other than Gnana. There is no other entrance other than Gnana. The ignorance will vanish only when the nondual wisdom dawns. Detachment to attachment is impossible without wisdom. Only when one realizes the fact that the 'Self' is not the form but the 'Self' is formless, then only it is possible to detach the ‘Self’ from the false attachment.

That is Sage Sankara, 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.

Thus, it proves that wisdom is universal irrespective of any religion of faith one belongs to. Thus, religion is not a means to Self-knowledge. Thus, Sage Sankara’s Advaita minus orthodoxy is true Advaita. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar 

Nondual Awareness is the nature of the Soul, the Self, which is present in the form of consciousness.+

Non-dual Awareness is the nature of the Soul, the Self, which is present in the form of consciousness. There is no second thing that exists other than the Soul the Self. Thus, the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is the ultimate truth or Brahman or God.

I AM- Awareness is physical awareness.  Self–Awareness is not physical awareness. Physical awareness is present in the form of the universe. The universe appears as the waking or dream experience.  The physical awareness (universe)  disappears as deep sleep(Soul). 

Self-awareness or Brahmic awareness arises when the Advaitic wisdom dawns. Advaitic wisdom dawns when Soul the 'Self' becomes aware of itself in the midst of the form, time, and space (duality or waking) by realizing the form, time, and space are one in essence.

If one has understood 'I’ or ‘I AM ‘is not the Self and what really is ‘I’ or ‘I AM’, there is no necessity for the pursuit of truth.  When in deeper Self-search one becomes aware of the fact that, the ‘Self ‘is neither the body nor the ‘I’.

Remember:~

Self-awareness is not your own state because the Self is not you but the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. Holding the Self as ‘you’ is a great error.

It is wrong to say Gnani sees nothing in Self-awareness.   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, sees himself and the world in which he exists as a reality whereas a Gnani sees himself and the world in which he exists as an illusion created out of consciousness and he is fully aware of the fact that there is no second thing exists other than the Soul or consciousness.

The universe has no independent existence. The Soul which is present in the form of consciousness alone has real existence. The universe is merely an illusion created out of consciousness. 

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.

A Gnani sees only unity in diversity, just like a goldsmith estimating the gold in various items of jewelry sees only gold. When one identifies the Self with the form then only the form, time and space are present. But when one transcends form, time, and space the duality never remains as reality.

The universe remains a reality until there is ignorance. When ignorance vanishes, there is only Self-awareness. In Self-awareness, there is only non-dualistic awareness in the midst of dualistic illusion or Maya.

Perfect understanding of ‘what is what’ with full and firm conviction leads to the realization of the Self hidden by the dualistic illusion or Maya.:~Santthosh Kumaar 

The ‘I-centric Gurus say find out who is saying ‘I’?+

       First, the seeker has to investigate what this ‘I’ is supposed to be in actuality.

All the ‘I-centric’ Gurus and their teachings are a great obstacle to unfolding the truth hidden by the ‘I’. The ‘I’ itself is ignorance.

As the seeker becomes more and more Soulcentric, he realizes the fact that the ‘Self is not ‘I’ but the ‘Self’ is the Soul, which is hidden by the ‘I’. 

From the standpoint of the Soul, the ‘I’ is merely an illusion created out of the Soul. The seeker must realize, what is ‘I’? - supposed to be in actuality.

The ‘I’ is present only when the mind is present. Without the ‘I’ the mind ceases to exist.

The mind is present when the universe is present. Without mind, the universe ceases to exist.

The universe is present only when the waking is present. Without the universe, the waking ceases to exist.

So, without the ‘I’ the mind or universe or the waking cease to exist.

From the standpoint of the Soul is the ‘Self’, the ‘I’ the mind or universe or the waking cease to exist as a reality.

The Soul is the ‘Self’ that can remain with or without the ‘I’. 

Remember:~ 

The ‘I-centric Gurus say find out who is saying ‘I’?

Santthosh Kumaar: ~  It is you who is saying ‘I’ within the universe, which is the dualistic illusion.  Without the universe, you cease to exist. The Soul, the Self is not he or she to say ‘I’ because it is ever nondual.

The ‘I’ is not limited to an individual because the ‘I’ is the whole universe. Without the ‘I’, the universe ceases to exist. If you limit the 'I' to an individual then it is ego. 

Until you limit the ‘I’ to an individual you will remain in ignorance of the Self hidden by the ‘I’.

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. 

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.

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

The ‘I’ is present in the form of the mind. The mind is in the form of the universe. From the standpoint of the Soul the innermost Self the universe is merely an illusion. The illusion arises from ignorance. Enlightenment comes with detachment from the illusion by realizing the experience of the form, time and space are one in essence.

Bhagavad Gita: ~ The permanent 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.

People think the ‘I’ without the body is the Self. The seeker has to understand the fact that the Self is not the ‘I’, 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-centric Gurus and their teachings 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 a different standpoint. All such an understanding of Advaita is on the dualistic perspective accumulated from here and there. 

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 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. 

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: ~VC 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

Whatever has appeared as birth, life, death, and the world has appeared on its own and it disappears on its own.+

We may belong to a different religion, belief, culture, tradition and lineage, nationality, and race.

We are a separate entity with identity with names with diverse blood groups, DNA, skin color.

With all this diversity there is unity because the world in which our birth, life, and death take place is created out of single clay. That single clay is the consciousness.

Knowledge of this single clay brings unity in diversity. Knowledge of this single clay is Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

There is a need for humanity to realize we all are made of the same clay.

Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is the only weapon that can stop the wars, violence, terrorism, which is going in the name of God and religion, and bring universal peace, universal love, and universal brotherhood. Religion makes diversity in unity whereas spirituality brings unity in diversity. 

Remember:~

Without ignorance, the universe ceases to exist. Without the universe, there is no possibility of birth, life, and death, which take place within the universe, which is the dualistic illusion or Maya. Until we hold the illusory universe as a reality we experience birth, life, and death as a reality.

Whatever has appeared as birth, life, death, and the world has appeared on its own and it disappears on its own.  Whether a person takes it as reality or illusion it all depends on his mental and intellectual conditions will determine the phenomenal world observed and experienced. The look of an object will depend upon the medium through which the observer views it.

A Gnani viewing the universe (practical life within the practical world) different from the ignorant is viewing the same universe (practical life within the practical world). Each one of them interprets the universe he sees in terms of his existing knowledge.   The Gnani sees his body, his ego and his experience of the world as merely an illusion created out of consciousness whereas the ignorant sees his body as body, his ego as ego, and his experience of the world as world. 

Thus experiencing the pain and pleasure within the dualistic illusion or Maya with the illusory Self, within the illusory experience, has to be an illusion. The illusion is created and sustained and finally dissolves as consciousness, which is the innermost Self.  Since there is no second thing other than the consciousness (Soul); the consciousness itself is the ultimate truth or Brahman.  

The one who has realized this truth for him this illusion is passing show because he is fully aware of the fact that his body, his ego, and his experience of the world to be consciousness. Practical peoples approach is more practical, and they are stuck with the reality of the practical life within the practical world, they take it as real whereas Gnani has the firm conviction that:~

Formless Soul or Consciousness is the witness that experiences the action, the actor, and the world of separate things. It is like a light that illuminates everything in a theatre, revealing the master of ceremonies, the guests, and the dancers with complete impartiality. Even when they all depart, the light shines to reveal their absence.

What is not the consciousness (formless) in the experience of diversity (universe or waking)?  The waking and the dream cease to exist without consciousness.  The seeker, seeking and his destination all are one in essence.

Human psychology is based on the false Self (ego or waking entity) within the false experience (waking or illusion). Whatever is based on the false Self and false experience is bound to be a falsehood.  Thus perfect understanding ‘what is what’ is needed to realize ultimate truth or Brahman or God.  Thus one must realize how this world, which confronts him, is an illusion? And on what standpoint the world is an illusion. Without knowing ‘what is mind? ‘What is the substance of the mind?’ ‘What is the source of the mind?  The truth will not reveal. Thinking the mind is within the physical body is the greatest obstacle in pursuit of truth.  Thus, a deeper investigation is very much necessary in order to unfold the mystery of the mind.:~Santthosh Kumaar 

You have to bifurcate mysticism from Meher Baba’s teaching then only you will become aware of the hidden treasure of Meher Baba 's nondualistic truth or Advaitic truth.+

You have to bifurcate mysticism from Meher Baba’s teaching then only you will become aware of the hidden treasure of  Meher Baba's nondualistic truth or Advaitic truth. 

Only when you reach the seventh plane, which is ‘I AM God state’ (Self is God) you will realize God, the ‘Self’ alone is real and all else is an illusion.

Only Gnanis can see the Soul, the Self as it is, in the midst of the dualistic illusion (universe).

Thus, the seeker must realize ‘what God is supposed to be in actuality then only you will realize the universe is merely an illusion created out of God.

When you realize the words, thoughts, and the world in which you exist are created out of single stuff and that single stuff is consciousness, then you will realize the truth which is hidden by the illusory form, time, and space.

When everything is created out of consciousness then there is no second thing that exists, other than consciousness. It takes time to grasp the Advaitic truth. All the obstacles have to be overcome one by one.

All fortune gained or lost within the world is within the illusion, because the world in which we exist is merely an illusion. You are the false self within the false experience. Therefore, whatever you have seen, known, believed, and experienced within this illusory world is bound to be an illusion.

To realize this world is an illusion, you must realize the ‘Self’ is not you, but ‘Self’ is the formless Soul. From the standpoint of the Soul, the innermost Self, the world in which we exist is merely an illusion. :~Santthosh Kumaar

Remember: ~

Meher Baba Said: ~ A true aspirant is not content with the knowledge of spiritual realities based on hearsay... he insists on the direct knowledge."

Meher Baba: ~ "There is no higher or lower goal. There is only one goal, Self-Realization."

Meher Baba said: ~ God is your innermost Self. Do not search for God outside of you. Let these words be inscribed in your heart. Nothing is real but God. Nothing Matters but love for God. God is everywhere and does everything. God is beyond us and is everything. God alone is and all else is an illusion.

Remember: ~

Meher Baba: ~ "There is no higher or lower goal. There is only one goal, Self-Realization."

Meher Baba: ~ When religion has become merely a matter of external rituals and ceremonies, it has become a cage for the Soul.

Meher Baba said: ~ God is your innermost Self. Do not search for God outside of you. Let these words be inscribed in your heart. Nothing is real but God. Nothing Matters but love for God. God is everywhere and does everything. God is beyond us and is everything. God alone is and all else is an illusion.

Meher Baba: ~ The scriptures are like rotten bones rotted and are as food for worms.

Theosophy and philosophy are like good bones rotted and are as food for vultures.

The writings of inspired poets are like fresh bones and are as food for dogs.

The writings of spiritually advanced saints are like flesh and areas food for tigers.

The writings by living Perfect Masters are like a brain and are as food for men!

Good bones when rotted have some semblance of bone, but rotten bones, when rotted, are like filth.

So, you may go through the scriptures superficially — only to drive away from the barking dogs when necessary; for instance, when you are called upon to answer the queries of the priests and the orthodox. [Lord Meher 15: 5267]

Remember:~

Meher Baba: ~   If you could only understand that the whole universe is just a shadow of the Infinite God, you would never worry about these temporary things. Then you would know that you all eternally were, are, and will be in God.: ~Lord Meher online, p. 4046. photo credit: MSI collections.

Meher Baba Said: ~ A true aspirant is not content with the knowledge of spiritual realities based on hearsay... he insists on direct knowledge.

Meher Baba: ~ "There is no higher or lower goal. There is only one goal, Self-Realization."

Meher Baba what exists for us does not really exist; and what does not exist for us, really exists.

Meher Baba: ~ “When the reality appears this ignorance which one thinks as reality becomes unreal.

Meher Baba: ~ “It is absolutely essential for the spiritual aspirant who genuinely longs for union with God, the reality to shun the false practice of yogic posture and exercise, the meditation on other than God the beloved.

Meher Baba: ~ Spirituality does not need renunciation of worldly activities. It means the internal renunciation of mundane desires. Mere asceticism does not lead to spirituality. The Infinite embraces all expressions of life.

Meher Baba: ~ “It takes time for the runner to gain speed; it takes time for the sleeper to awake and it takes ages for one who has been spiritually asleep to be spiritually awakened."

Meher Baba said: ~ God is your innermost Self. Do not search for God outside of you. Let these words be inscribed in your heart. Nothing is real but God. Nothing Matters but love for God. God is everywhere and does everything. God is beyond us and is everything. God alone is and all else is an illusion.

When Meher Baba says God is your innermost Self and God alone is real all else is an illusion. It means God; the Self alone is real and all else an illusion. The illusion is the world in which we exist.

Meher Baba says GOD, whom we do not see, we say is real; and the world, which we do see, we say is false. In experience, what exists for us does not really exist; and what does not exist for us, really exists.

The Soul, the 'Self' has regained its own awareness of the reality of the dualistic illusion fades away.

The seeker has to have a deeper understanding to see God as it is in the midst of the illusion from Meher Baba's spiritual pearls.

Meher Baba: ~ When religion has become merely a matter of external rituals and ceremonies, it has become a cage for the Soul.

Remember: your inherited belief-based God is not God in truth. The world in which you exist is the product of ignorance. Till the ignorance is there the world in which you exist prevails as reality.

The intoxication of the dualistic illusion weakness to realize the Self’ hidden by the dualistic illusion will not allow unfolding the reality hidden by ignorance.

***

Meher Baba: ~ There is no difference in the realization of the Truth either by a Muslim, Hindu, Zoroastrian, or a Christian. The difference is only in words and terms. Truth is not the monopoly of a particular race or religion.

Meher Baba says:~ UNLESS AND UNTIL ignorance is removed and Knowledge is gained . . . the Knowledge whereby the Divine Life is experienced and lived . . . everything pertaining to the spiritual seems paradoxical . . . GOD, whom we do not see, we say is real; and the world, which we do see, we say is false. In experience, what exists for us does not really exist; and what does not exist for us, really exists.

Meher Baba: ~ When religion has become merely a matter of external rituals and ceremonies, it has become a cage for the Soul.

Meher Baba: ~ The only REAL KNOWLEDGE is the Knowledge that God is the inner dweller in good people and so-called bad, in saint and so-called sinner. 

Remember

Meher Baba: ~ Spirituality does not need renunciation of worldly activities. It means the internal renunciation of mundane desires. Mere asceticism does not lead to spirituality. The Infinite embraces all expressions of life.

Meher Baba: ~ The scriptures are like rotten bones rotted and are as food for worms. Theosophy and philosophy are like good bones rotted and are as food for vultures. The writings of inspired poets are like fresh bones and are as food for dogs.

The writings of spiritually advanced saints are like flesh and are as food for tigers. The writings by living Perfect Masters are like the brain and are as food for men! Good bones when rotted have some semblance of bone, but rotten bones when rotted are like filth.

So, you may go through the scriptures superficially — only to drive away from the barking dogs when necessary; for instance, when you are called upon to answer the queries of the priests and the Orthodox. [Lord Meher 15: 5267]

Meher Baba: ~ “When the reality appears this ignorance which one thinks as reality becomes unreal.

***

The people of the world, the masses, do not believe in the existence of God. They merely fear God as an unknown, mighty Being, who rewards the good and worthy and punishes the wicked.

And it is this punishment of hell created by God that they fear more than God Himself; for if they really believed in Him- in His existence- and were afraid of Him, their behavior would be quite different from what it is today- dishonest, Selfish, deceitful and wicked.

If they really felt afraid of God, they would be ever alert not to do anything that would displease God, or that God would not like.

If they really trusted in God and believed in God's existence, they would at once is looking for God and would never rest until they find God.

For when love for God comes, fear of God vanishes. And when that love reaches its zenith, the lover finds that he himself is the Beloved. : ~ Meher Baba

Remember:~

Meher Baba: ~It is all made so complicated, and books on yoga have made it still more complicated.

No amount of reading and understanding can lead to God-realization. You must be made to see God. When you get that conviction through sight by the grace of a Perfect Master, you are ready for Union with God.

No amount of reading and understanding can lead to God-realization. You must be made to see God. When you get that conviction through sight by the grace of a Perfect Master, you are ready for Union with God. Lord Meher: ~ PAGE -4840

Even a yogi who is genuine and who gets absorbed in this real experience cannot reach the Goal, the aim of his life, unaided by the Perfect Master. Lord Meher:~ PAGE -4839

What is the aim of life? It is to see God and become one with God. If God is, then we must see Him! That is our sole aim. There are different ways of seeing God, called yogas. Some try to see God through meditation and concentration on the Absolute within. That too is a very long process. And this process of concentration does not help you to rip open the veil that separates you from the Beloved and allows you to see God within.

There are many yogis all over the world. Many of them try to gain bliss through extraneous means and become drug addicts. Many of them become addicted to smoking hemp [marijuana]. After one or two puffs they get a feeling of elation; then gradually the effect wears off. Different types of yogis try to see God through different means, and naturally, they get different experiences. But these are in fact only different kinds of hallucinations.

There are many fakes who dupe people and advertise their so-called experiences, although they are nothing but hallucinations. People flock around them to have some experience also, and thus they have their own circle of followers. They pass around a pipe of drugged [hashish or opium] tobacco, and when their followers smoke the pipe, they begin to have [drug-induced] "experiences" too!

One in a million, through intense concentration, does see God within himself. Then for him, nothing exists anymore; he sits absorbed within--~ PAGE -4839