The methods are based on the false self.

The methods are based on the false self9ego or waking entity). The Methodists cannot reach the ultimate. When one becomes aware of the fact that ‘I’ is illusion then there is nothing left other then consciousness, which is knower of all the known . When knower is formless then the known ceases to exist as real. Thus the knower and the known are one in essence. Therefore, there is no second thing other then consciousness, which is formless. Thus consciousness is the ultimate truth.

Even the scriptures declare:-

 Tat tvam asi: -Thou art That (Sam Veda). “Self is that”

 Prajnanam Brahma: - Consciousness is ultimate reality (Rig Veda).

 Ayam Aatma Brahma: -The Self is ultimate truth (Atharva Veda).

 Aham Brahma Asmi: -Self is ultimate reality (Yajur veda).

 

Buddha also holds that this world which changes from moment to moment is no real, it is only a reflection and a thing of which it is the reflection alone is real. Buddha was not an atheist. He never denied reality. There is nothing in his words or teaching to show that he considered truth to be non-existent like horns of a hare. He could not have held the foolish view that something came out of nothing. It is true; some of his disciples misunderstood and misinterpreted him. his idea was that the truth which cannot be designated by a name , or described is words and of which one cannot even say whether it is existent or none extent , is like non-existent.  The idea is quiet in agreement with the view of Upanishads. An object which cannot even be talked about, is, for all practical purposes, as good as non-extent. But it is not non-existent in the sense that the son of barren woman is non-existent.  This subtle idea, Buddha's contemporaries and even his disciple fail to catch. In one passage Buddha says clearly: Srmana Guutama was an atheist. It is annihilation of non-existent of truth that he teaches. So will people attribute to me atheism, which is not mine? So will they ascribe me to the theory of non-existent, which again is not mine. 

From these similar statements of Buddha it is clear that he was not an atheist. All philosophers old and new arrive at the same point. Orthodox Advaita (monism) that is inevitable; the people of thoughtful temperament cannot find peace and quietude until they do so. Moksha (liberation) is in the realization of oneness with God. They speak of God Goddesses, devotion and devotee, only in an in accurate way only from the standpoint of dvaithi.  After realization oneness with God, there is no distinction between go and devote and the word "devotion" has no meaning.   

 Sankara was criticized for his views on Maya [illusion] without understanding him. He said that (1) Brahman [the Self] is real (2) the universe is unreal, and (3) Brahman is the universe. He did not stop at the second because the third explains the other two. It signifies that the universe is real if perceived as the ‘Self’ and unreal if perceived as apart from the Self. Hence Maya or illusion and reality are one and the same.

The realists criticize the concept of illusion without understanding it. He said that :-

(1) Consciousness [the Self] is real

(2) The universe or mind is unreal, and

(3) Consciousness is the mind or universe, because universe or mind is mere illusion created out of consciousness.


One need not stop at the second because the third explains the other two. It signifies that the universe is real if perceived as the Self [consciousness] and unreal if perceived as apart from the Self (consciousness). Hence illusion and reality are one and the same because both are one in essence. Realizing the essence, which is consciousness as the innermost Self, is Self-Realization or Truth- Realization of GOD- Realization. Thus Sri, Sankara‘s declaration is rational truth, scientific truth and also ultimate truth.

Deeper thinking is necessary in order to know what is what, without depending on outer source for answers. One must try to find answers for his doubts and confusion than only it leads to the inner realm to realize the fact that his body is not body , his ego is not ego , the world is not world but they are all mirage created out of consciousness. Thus there is no emptiness but it is fulness of consciousness because the consciousness ever present with or without the mind or universe. The emptiness is the nature of the soul, the innermost self.

Yoga Vasishta:- that 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.

Peoples approach is more practical, and they stuck with the reality of the world, they take it as real. That is why all the confusion.

That is why Sri, Sankara says in VivekaChudamani

63. Without causing the objective universe to vanish and without knowing the truth of the Self, how is one to achieve Liberation by the mere utterance of the word Brahman ? — It would result merely in an effort of speech.

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.

When the ultimate truth is rightly known and one attains eternal life thereby. Through soul, the innermost self he gains strength and through its knowledge immortality.