Consciousness is the one behind the many (universe). If one becomes aware of the soul or
consciousness, the innermost self, then the universe in which we exist is mere
illusion. Thus our existence as an individual separate from the world is mere
illusion created out of single stuff, which consciousness.
When viewed as waking entity or ego, the waking world seems to
be real. Deeper self-search reveals the
fact that, the waking entity is false self within the false experience and the
self is neither the waking entity nor the self is the dream entity but the self
is the formless soul or consciousness, which witnesses the coming and going of
the three states.
Without knowing the nature of the mind or
universe, it is impossible to know truth. It is of no use of trying to find the
truth before one understands the nature of the universe. The world which
confronts one is also consciousness itself therefore the world in which man
exists is mere mirage created out of consciousness, which is the innermost
self.
If one does not make his induction from facts from
the world before him, the world of the five senses, he is only drawing on his
imaginations. Then he says “The ‘Self’
is like this, or like that." but it will be only his imagination
within the waking experience, which is mere illusion from ultimate standpoint.
What are these three states? Consciousness never experienced
in the plural, only singular of which plural is unknown; that there is only
thing and what seems to be plurality is merely diverse aspect this one thing,
produced by a deception, which Advaitin sages called it as Maya.
First seeker must inquire into the nature of the
physical body i.e. matter. Second he must inquire into the nature of the mind
to realize, the mind is in the form of universe and universe appears as waking
or dream and disappears as deep sleep. That is, mind (waking or dream) becomes
the soul (consciousness) and soul (consciousness) becomes mind (waking or
dream). Or form( waking or dream) becomes formless(consciousness) or formless(consciousness) becomes form(waking or dream) .
The consciousness, the innermost self-pervades in
everything and everywhere in all the three states therefore the consciousness
is not limited to waking entity and waking world. Thus all the three
states have to be taken into account. WHO AM ‘I’? Inquiry which exposes the false
nature of the waking entity or ego reveals
only half truth. Therefore one has to
indulge in deeper self-search to realize ‘I’ itself is not the self in order to
unfold the mystery of the mind or universe.
Know that
which has form to be unreal and the formless to be permanent. One has to look at
everything in world because in everything there is Consciousness because world
is created out of consciousness. One
should not avoid the world and
shut himself away from the world that
confronts him like yogi and meditator because the world which is as much
consciousness, as his body. It is very
much necessary to realize the body and the world are one in essence.
