Dream becomes unreal when waking takes place. The one that witnessed the dream is not the waking entity but the formless soul. The one which is aware of the three states, which appears and disappears in succession is formless soul. the soul is within the three states but is apart from the three states. The soul is present in the form of consciousness. The consciousness is within the three states as their formless substance. And it is apart from the three states as their formless witness. in the realm of truth, the formless substance and witness of the three states are one in essence. thus the three states are mere mirage created out of consciousness. On the standpoint of the formless soul, the innermost self , the three states are non-existent. Thus the soul alone is real and all the three states are unreal.
Whatever happens within the dream is noting to do with the witness, because the dream is witnessed as a whole without the physical apparatus. Similarly the waking also is witnesses as a whole . the dream entity and dream world were within the dream. Similarly, the waking entity and waking world are within the waking experience. Thus, the witness of the waking and dream is always apart. Due to ignorance one tries to judge the truth on the waking entity ,which is erroneous. Thinking the waking entity is the witness of the three states is cause of the ignorance. Deeper self-search revels the fact that, the the three states are mere mirage, the formless substance of the three states is the witness of the three states.
Waking reality also has to be viewed from dream perspective; a dream from which one has to be awaken to realize that waking too is unreal.
Waking seems to be apparent reality because one is still not awaken to the reality of his true existence. Once one becomes aware of the fact that the self is not physical, but it is the formless spirit, then the question arises who dreamt, who slept and who woke up.
People imagine that "getting enlightened" is like flipping a button, but it is impossible to get enlightened on the base of false self. Enlightenment is not gain from physical practice our some theoretical understanding. Enlightenment is overcoming the ignorance by realizing the fact that the self is not physical, but it is formless spirit, and realizing the physical existence is mere mirage, on the standpoint of the spirit.
Most people awaken gradually, often imperceptibly, over a long period of time. Or they awaken through a series of "opening" experiences, each one revealing just a little more, but not the whole picture.
Even the most awakened people are not floating around in a cloud of bliss. They still live in the world, lead a householders life, without claiming themselves as gurus or teacher, guiding the fellow seekers.
Whatever have appeared (birth, life, death and 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 term of his
existing knowledge. The Gnani sees his body, his ego and his
experience of the world as mere mirage 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 illusion with
the illusory self, within the illusory experience, has to be 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 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 for 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 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.
