The mind is in the form of universe. The universe appears as waking or dream. The waking is unreal because it
is the "Seen", like a dream. The reality and existence of the soul, which is in the form of
consciousness, the most fundamental substance of the mind, which
is in the form of universe, cannot be questioned, for this truth is
self-evident. The consciousness is the true self. In fact, the self does not need any proof.
The self is self-evident, and no one
can deny its existence because it is the basis of all the three states. Everyone is
conscious of the existence of his self and never thinks that it is in the form
of consciousness.
To doubt the existence of the self
would be a contradiction in terms because then one would doubt the existence of
the very doubter who engages in doubt. The existence of the doubter itself is based
on the consciousness. Thus he has to find the reality of his own existence.
Without the existence of the self, which
is in the form of consciousness it is impossible for us to entertain the idea
or even to be capable of refutation. Because the knowledge of the self is not
established through the so-called means of right knowledge, it is
self-established.
Thus, the very existence of
understanding and its functions presuppose the intelligence known as the self,
that is self-established, different from these functions and on which they
depend.
Both the possibility of knowledge and
the means of knowledge have relevance if there would be the self that is the
source of all knowledge. Therefore, consciousness,
which is the true self, is beyond all doubt, "for it is the essential
nature of him who denies it. Therefore, it is the nature of the
self, not its reality or existence, which is to be proved. The self must seek
itself in order to find what it is, not that it is.
Consciousness
pervades all the three states as their formless substance and witness. . it is formless without any parts, without
qualities, spotless, having no abilities like going and coming, etc., devoid of
ideas of `me' and `mine' and also of desire, aversion and effort. It possessing
no organs like the intellect, etc., free from attributes. It is neither the breath nor the breather. It is untouched by the individual experiences
of birth, life and death, which happens within the universe. The self, pervades
all the three states. It is within the three states and it is the apart from
the three states. It is apart because it is not and entity of identity within
the three states.
Consciousness is the deathless,
birthless, eternal and real substance in all the three states. It is the
unchanging reality behind the changing mind, which is in the form of universe. It
is pure consciousness and it not affected by time, space and causality. It is
limitless and without a second. In order to understand the true
nature of consciousness one must discriminate the formless witness from
three states.
