Atman is the soul. The soul is in the form of consciousness. Consciousness is permanent, and ever present and only the three states change. There are no two self. The permanent ‘self is consciousness. And the ego is the false self within the false experience of duality (waking or dream). The way to the Real self is through inquiry,analysis and reasoning.
Consciousness is ever-present, like the screen on which all three states moves like cinematographic pictures. While the pictures appear on it, it remains invisible. Stop the pictures, and the screen, which has all along been present, in fact the only object that has existed throughout, will become clear.
All these universes, humans, objects, thoughts and events are merely part of the waking or dream. Waking or moving like pictures on the screen of Consciousness, which alone is real.
Waking and dream pass away, but Consciousness remains ever. Seeker must distinguish between the ‘true self, and the ego. ‘I’ am is merely an object to consciousness. Consciousness,which is the true self is the subject, which witnesses the ‘I’(waking/dream/duality) as a whole
One is born, lives sleeps, wakes up, eats and thinks, dies within the waking or dream. But the consciousness the true self is eternal existence, free from ignorance and illusion.
There was no mind
is deep sleep. As soon as waking takes place the mind which contains, of a
ready-made universe – including all men and creatures appears. The man –
confronts universe in waking or dream. The waking or dream appears as a whole
and disappears as a whole. To examine it
closely, one has to analyze the three states and trace the witness of the three
states is formless and apart.
One becomes aware
of the fact that, the universe or mind, which appears and disappears, is only
form and shape is created out of consciousness and nothing else. The
consciousness alone is positive proof and on the standpoint of the
consciousness or soul as self, one becomes aware of the falsity of this universe or mind, which is
mere appearance. The one which appears as mind (universe) and disappears as no mind
(soul) is consciousness alone. Therefore, the mind and soul are one in essence.
Mental analysis
shows that, the existences of the formless witness, which witnesses the three
states coming and going without a break. This, on closer analysis, is found to
be that changeless, soul or consciousness itself.
