The objective of spiritual advancement is to free from physical awareness. the physical -awareness is present in the form of mind. mind is present in the form of universe. universe appears as waking or dream and disappears as deep sleep.
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.
If the seeker has great things to his credit, which he has claimed as his, his ego fastens itself upon these achievements and constitutes a formidable hindrance to realization of the non-dual truth.
It is, therefore, most necessary for the seeker to keep free from the idea authorship of doer ship, because self is not physical but it is formless. This does not mean to keep clear of all activity through fear of developing this form of the ego. He may have to take to the life of action to wear out the ego that he has developed. So he is caught up in the dilemma that if he keeps inactive he does nothing towards breaking through the prison of his ego-life, and if he takes to a life of action, he is faced with the possibility of his ego being transferred to these new acts.
Treading the spiritual path is not like riding a saddled horse. It requires the utmost attention, since the path affords no halting places or room for expansion of the physical -life. He who enters the path can neither remain where he is nor afford to lose his balance, but is like one who attempts to walk on the edge of a sword.
The seeker must realize the fact that, he and his experience of he world are part and parcel of the illusion and the formless substance and witness of the illusion is the spirit, which is the true self. The spirit is real and all else is mere illusion.
By so by learning to reason on the base of the soul as self he will be able to overcome all the obstacle ,doubts and confusion in pursuit of truth.
