First thing Spiritual pursuit is a very personal journey, thus it is not a story or biography. It is mental (inner) journey of verification. Nothing has to be accepted as truth without verification. Only un-contradictable truth has to be accepted as truth. This is possible only through inquiry, which makes one realize the self is not form but self is formless (consciousness). Once one becomes aware of the fact that the self is not form but self is formless then the reasoning based has to rectify from form (ego) to formless (soul). Without rectifying the reasoning base from form to formless, it is impossible to understand and assimilate and realize the non-dual truth.
The inquiry revel the fact that, neither the body nor the ego is self. Therefore, what is the use of seeking truth on the base of false self? Therefore, it is necessary to make sure of the fact that neither the waking entity nor the dream entity is the self.
All the doubts and confusion prevail because of the egocentricity outlook. Seeker has to be soul centric to realize the non-dual truth.
Only serious seeker will think deeply because he is not at sure that his physical existence [body +universe] is illusion. Only when he inquires and becomes aware of the fact that the “I” [mind] is not self but the “I-LESS” (soul). Thus his understanding has to be based on the “I-LESS” not on the “I” (mind) ,which is false self within the false experience. When “I” is not self, but “I-LESS” than whatever seen, known , believed and experienced on the base of ‘I’ as self is bound to be falsehood on the standpoint of “I-LESS” as self. Thus it is necessary to realize the fact that, the self is not physical but self is formless to realize the mind, which is in the form of universe is myth.
Until the duality prevails as reality there is destination, because the duality is bound by form, time and space. The duality ceases to be real when one realizes the fact that neither the body nor the ego is self.
Until one thinks the mind is within the body he will not be able to cross the threshold of duality. Therefore, it is necessary to know “what is mind” and “what is the substance of the mind” and “what is the source of the mind” in order to assimilate non-dual truth.
Without knowing what truth is, how can one know what is untruth? Mere bookish knowledge or knowledge based on speculation and assumption is mere playing with the words not non-dual wisdom. Intellectuality is based on the false self thus it will not yield any fruits.
How can one look on the conscious level when his body, ego and universe are an object to the true self, which is in the form of consciousness. Until one traces the formless substance and witness of the mind, which is in the form of universe, the non-dual wisdom will not dawn.
The lengthy explanation in depth is very much needed in pursuit of truth, which helps the seeker think and helps the seeker to divert his attention from form to formless.
The scriptures and theories and teaching based on the ego are not the yardstick. Using them as yardstick to understand and assimilate the truth will lead one towards pursuit of arguments. Seeker of truth has to discover on his own, the truth of his true existence by inquiring “what is mind?” and “what is substance of the mind?” and move forward.
The wisdom consists in knowing the truth, that everything [mind or physical existence] is consciousness. Freedom ( ultimate truth or Brahman) is always there yet one does not know it. But to those whose reason is turned away from physicality and who have attained the serenity of the soul/self (consciousness) are quite near to the ultimate truth.
To think once own body and his experience of the world is an illusion is difficult matter, unless one realizes the self is not physical but it is formless soul it is difficult to have glimpse of truth.
When one realizes the fact that, the self is not physical but the formless soul, naturally the body and universe becomes illusion.
The mind (universe) is emanating from soul (consciousness) means the mind is being effect from consciousness is not different from it. Deeper analysis shows it. Analysis needs deeper thinking and reasoning. Mind is whole universe thus it has a form. But where is the form in consciousness (soul) because consciousness is like an ocean and mind is like wave. The universe is same consciousness, as the ocean produces the wave, so the consciousness produces the mind (universe).
The moment one knows the mind (universe) is consciousness, and then there is no ignorance. If one knows consciousness as self then everything is consciousness, the consciousness is second to none. The mind is consciousness but due to ignorance one mistakes it for something else. One thinks the self is within the body; but the self is without the body and the world.
Mind ceases to exist without the matter. Without the matter mind ceases to exist as mind but it exists as matter- less awareness or consciousness. Without the mind neither the world nor its perceiver can exist.
Without the matter there is no duality. Without duality there is no experience. Without experience it is non-dual reality. Therefore, whatever prevails without the mind is ultimate reality.
The true nature of the soul (consciousness) is camouflaged by the illusion or duality. To know the truth one has to discover and realize the formless substance of the mind or illusion. One has to learn to view and judge the world-view on the standpoint the formless soul as self. Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is the prime goal of the truth seeker. This goal is hidden within the mind as its invisible substance and witness. Therefore, it is necessary inquiry, analysis and reason in to the nature of mind or duality or illusion in order to unfold the mystery of mind or duality or illusion.