If one takes the universe as real then it becomes difficult in grasping the Advaitic reality because one takes the false entity as self, which is within the illusory universe. Apparent universe, which is in the form of mind, can only cause ignorance.
Taking the universe as a 'separate' reality and thinking he is and individual separate from the world and world existed prior to him and he is born in it, until this conviction is there it is impossible to grasp the reality, which is beyond the mind or universe. But when one knows there is nothing apart from consciousness, which is the true self then for him there is no 'individual reality because he is sees his body and universe as mere mirage created out of consciousness. Thus, for his consciousness alone is real and the form, name and experiences are unreal.
The universe exists for the Gnani as long as he is alive. The Gnani has the vision of plurality as long as he lives but he is fully aware of the fact that his body along with the universe is mere mirage created out of the consciousness. Thus he is fully aware what is real and what is unreal and he acts as a commoner and deals with worldly life consciously aware of its unreal nature.
The cause and effect is based on the false self. In reality there is no cause because the self, which is consciousness, is uncaused. Consciousness will not continue to exist for there is no cause. The cause is the continuance of experiencing the duality [universe] as reality due to ignorance. Duality [universe] becomes unreal with the Self-Knowledge. Gnani is free from experiencing the duality as reality. If there is ignorance then the duality is experienced as reality. If there is wisdom then duality (universe) is mere mirage created out of consciousness. Realization the truth is necessary to realize the birth, life and death are mere illusion created out of consciousness and live in Self-awareness, which frees one from experiencing the pain and pleasure as reality.
The Gnani will know that the duality existing in universe is myth. All confusion will be set at rest if one learns reason on the base of the true self, which is formless consciousness.
There is no delusion and there is no sorrow can be there for that witness of oneness, because the mind, which is in the form of universe, is mere mirage for the witness. And the witness and witnessed are one in the essence in the realm of truth. Thus no second thing exist other than the consciousness. The consciousness alone is real and all else is illusion created out of consciousness. Therefore, the consciousness is ultimate truth or Brahman or Christ or Buddha.
It is ignorance to take the visible difference to be true, real. It is necessary to realize the visible difference to be unreal. Just as it is ignorance to think/know that the sun's setting and rising is real and it is knowledge that the visible setting and rising of the sun is only an appearance. A Gnani is perfectly tuned with Self-Knowledge and he is fully conscious of the fact that, his body and the universe is mere illusion and the one which sees his body, ego and his experience of the universe together, without the physical apparatus is real and eternal. Thus, he is fully conscious of the fact that, the formless eternal seer or witness is his true identity or self and he bases himself on the formless self. Thus he knows what is real and what is unreal in the midst of duality, hence he is called Gnani.
