What is Gnana? Gnana means the full and firm realization of truth – a realization beyond all doubts, change and contradiction.

 Without the self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana it is impossible to cross the illusory ocean of the pain and pleasure.  There no vessel to ferry man across the ocean of illusory form, time and space except Gnana. 

What is Gnana? Gnana means the full and firm realization of truth – a realization beyond all doubts, change and contradiction.

Neither the control of breath, or regulating the breath, nor the performance of selfless service, nor by devotion to gods and gurus, not the performance of penance, nor pilgrimaging, nor by yoga nor by scriptural mastery, the ignorance will not vanish. But only   through nondual wisdom the ignorance can be eradicated.  The three states are state of ignorance. All the three states are falsehood. The formless substance and witness of the three states is real and eternal. 

 Sri Sankara, in Bhaja Govindam says: - [Jnana Viheena Sarva Mathena Bajathi na Muktim janma Shatena] - one without knowledge does not obtain liberation even in a hundred births, no matter which religious faith he follows.

The mind is in the form of Universe. Universe appears as waking or dream. Waking as it presents itself is unreal, same way as the dream. Thus waking or dream is simply illusion created out of consciousness.  To the man within the universe it is not an illusion because he has the conviction that he is an individual separate form the universe and he is born in this universe and universe existed prior to him.  Until this conviction is there he is bound to believe the birth, life, death and universe as reality.  Only in deeper self-search he becomes aware of the fact that, the mind is not within the body but body and the universe are within the mind.   And he also becomes aware of the fact that mind itself is the whole universe ,which appears as waking or dream and disappears as deep sleep.

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 realizes 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/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 worldview 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, analyse and reason in to the nature of mind/ duality/illusion in order to unfold the mystery of mind or duality or illusion.

Those who are seeking truth have to do their own homework in order to acquire Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Soul which is present in the form of Consciousness is the true Self. Consciousness is in this universe but it is not of this universe. It is in this universe, but not of this universe means it is the formless substance and witness of the universe, which is in the form of the mind (I). The mind (I) appears as waking or dream and disappears as deep sleep. The self who is in the form of consciousness is the formless knower of the mind, which comes and goes.   

Consciousness is above; it is transcendental to all the miseries, which are inevitable in this illusory universe.  Therefore, there is a need to realize the fact that, the mind, which is in the form of universe is mere mirage created out consciousness.   Thus, the birth, life, death and world are mere mirage on the stand point of the consciousness, which is the true self. Only on the base of physical self the universe is reality.  Thus the Self is within the universe but it is without the universe.

Only a Gnani alone can actually create the awareness of the truth. He can enliven and illuminate others to get out of this ignorance by being transcendental to the illusory birth, life, death and the universe. Gnani tries to guide the seekers get rid of the inherited ignorance and, rise above the waking -centric concepts, be in this universe, but not of this universe, be in tune with the consciousness, which is his  true identity and the ultimate truth.

This material existence is mere mirage. It is like a wax in the candle it will burn away.  All attempts for freedom is possible only when one is ready to overcome the ignorance. To overcome the ignorance is possible only when one realizes the birth, life, death and the world are mere illusion created out of consciousness.  The consciousness is ultimate truth. And the one which  knows this truth knows the knower (consciousness) is free from the known (mind).

Through Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana, all of one’s waking-centric successes and all of his credible accomplishments within the duality are ultimately evaporated and consciousness alone will prevail as non-dual existence. 

 

A Gnani is free from experiencing the illusion (body + universe) as reality, he is fully aware of the fact that, his body and his experience of the world as consciousness, which is ultimate truth. 

People who are incapable to inquire and reason are tending to follow some philosophy without verification. Therefore the more ignorant they are the easier to get them into a religious fold. Religion is so strong and popular because it makes no demand on the intelligent; it simply requires belief in guru and his teachings.

It never strikes believer to doubt whether his inherited belief system is true. They never use their reason because they start and conclude that their belief system   alone is true, because they never question the validity of their inherited belief. 

For religion one can interpret texts as he likes, in whatever way that pleases him, he simply imagine away.  The idea of god injected in the past and inherited by people and they refuse to verify the facts, because they think it blasphemy even to question their inherited belief system. 

In pursuit of truth the ultimate truth has to be proved, not assumed. Pundits who take scriptures for granted are not Gnanis.

Pundits teach that all is your-self, but none of them can show that this is so, none has analyzed it scientifically, and none can prove it. Rational proof is needed, so that one arrive at knowing truth i.e. wisdom; punditry is mere dogma, parrotism, repetition of what they read in scripture. Scriptures are not yardstick and scriptural truth is not proof.   Pundits take scriptures as authority.   Authoritarianism merely assumes as true what another says, but what has yet to be proved.

One  has to test truth in this world not in the next world.  There is no proof other than blind belief based on the scriptures, belief is not truth.  So, doctrines are not the means to realize the ultimate truth. There is no need to follow them.

Gaudapada says: - the merciful Veda teaches karma and upaasana to people of lower and middling intellect, while jnana is taught to those of higher intellect.

So they clearly indicate rituals and theories are not meant for those who are searching for the higher knowledge or wisdom.   The path of wisdom is the only means. 

All the orthodox Advaitins indulge and immersed themselves in ritualistic oriented life style and follow the path of karma and upasana which is meant for lower and middling intellect   and not for realizing the Advaitic truth.  Many chose these orthodox scholars as their gurus. But these gurus are good to learn the conceptual Advaita meant for those orthodox who believe their conduct oriented life style leads to Moksha (liberation).  But orthodox Advaita is not   the means to acquire Self –Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. Those who are seeking truth have to do their own homework in order to acquire Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

The Consciousness (ultimate truth or Brahman) is one without the second, the one is not in the sense half or two, but the one that remain forever One, without the second.*****

Consciousness (ultimate truth or Brahman)  is one without the second, the one is not in the sense half or two, but the one that remains forever One, without the second.  The consciousness is all pervading. There is no place where consciousness is not.

Consciousness is in everyone, consciousness is in everything .consciousness is one behind many. Consciousness alone is. It means the universe and its contents are the visible forms of consciousness. And consciousness, in turn, is the invisible form of the universe, which appears to the mind.  

 Since people, all are not aware of the fact that, they are an experience within another experience (waking or dream). The mind is an experience, which contains everyone and everything and the universe. Since one limits the mind to the physical entity, he forgets the fact that, his body and the universe is an experience, within waking or dream experience. It is impossible to unfold the mystery of his true existence without realizing the fact that, the self is not physical but the self is consciousness.  

If the self is not physical then it is erroneous to judge and conclude the truth on the base of the physical self or ego.  The ego (waking entity) is false self within the false experience (waking). Thus the truth has to be judged on the base of the true self, which is formless consciousness which is not an individual but it pervades all the three states as their formless substance and witness.

Until and unless one rectifies the reasoning base from the form (ego) to formless (soul or consciousness), the ultimate truth or Brahman will not be revealed.

Sage Sri, Sankara says in VC :~ 56. Neither by Yoga, nor by Sankhya, nor by work, nor by learning, but by the realization of one's identity with Brahman is Liberation possible, and by no other means.

58. Loud speech consisting of a shower of words, the skill in expounding the Scriptures, and likewise erudition - these merely bring on a little personal enjoyment to the scholar but are no good for Liberation.

59. The study of the Scriptures is useless so long as the highest Truth is unknown, and it is equally useless when the highest Truth has already been known.

60. The Scriptures consisting of many words are a dense forest which merely causes the mind to ramble. Hence men of wisdom should earnestly set about knowing the true nature of the Self.

61. For one who has been bitten by the serpent of Ignorance, the only remedy is the knowledge of Brahman. Of what avail are the Vedas and (other) Scriptures, Mantras (sacred formulae) and medicines to such a one?

62. A disease does not leave off if one simply utters the name of the medicine, without taking it; (similarly) without direct realization one cannot be liberated by the mere utterance of the word Brahman.

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.

66. Therefore the wise should, as in the case of disease and the like, personally strive by all the means in their power to be free from the bondage of repeated births and deaths.

67. The question that thou hast asked today is excellent, approved by those versed in the Scriptures, aphoristic, pregnant with meaning and fit to be known by the seekers after Liberation.

That is why Sri Sankara, indicated in Bhaja Govindam says: - [Jnana Viheena Sarva Mathena Bajathi na Muktim janma Shatena] - one without knowledge does not obtain liberation even in a hundred births, no matter which religious faith he follows.

Thus it proves the religion is not the means to self-realization.

When Upanishad itself declares:-   sarvam khalvidam brahma - all this (universe) is verily Brahman. By following back all of the relative appearances in the world, we eventually return to that from which it is all manifest – the non-dual reality [ Chandogya Upanishad]. 

Then it is no use going a roundabout way, trace the Brahman which is the formless substance and witness of the universe, which is in the form of mind.  By tracing the source of the mind or universe one will be able to realize the Brahman.

Thus, self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is meant only for those who have intense urge, and courage to accept the truth with humility and reject the untruth. Since people start comparing with their scriptural knowledge, it becomes impossible to assimilate and realize the non-dual truth.   Therefore, there is no need to convince anyone other than our own-selves to get the firm conviction. 

Moksha (liberation) is in the realization of oneness with God,which is the Atman,the innermost self

Deeper-self-search reveals the fact that, the karma theory is meant for those who are immersed in worldly life thinking the individual life within the particle world as reality. In path of truth the karma theory becomes a great obstacle in realizing the truth. 

When Sri, Sankara says clearly, the universe is not real. He says that Brahman and Atman are one. The ultimate and the Absolute Truth is the Self, which is one though appearing as many in different individuals. The individual has no reality. Only the Self is Real; the rest, mental and physical are but passing appearances, then it indicates the form (waking or universe or duality or mind) is unreal the formless is real (soul or consciousness spirit).  Therefore, only Atman is real because there is no second thing other than Atman.

He also clearly mentions that:

The path of religion, theory of karma, path of yoga and the path of wisdom were intended for different classes of people. The wisdom is for the advanced seekers of truth. It deals with the nature of the ultimate Truth and Reality. It is meant for superior aspirants who have inner urge to know the truth and it is not for those who are immersed in earthly desires.

In Vedic era a Brahmin was a person who had attained Self- knowledge or Atma Jnana. This was an extremely difficult path of discipline of body, mind, and intellect, and people irrespective of their birth or class, who dedicated to such an austere life, were recognized as Brahmins. 

A great example of this tradition (that a person becoming a Brahmin, rather than born as one) is the case of Vishwamitra, a warrior (Kshatriya), who became a Brahmin after attaining Atma Jnana or Self-Knowledge.

A smritis, or code of conduct composed by sage Atri defines brahminhood very clearly:-

"By birth, every man is a Shudra (an ignorant person). Through various types of disciplines (samskaras), he becomes a dwija (twice born). Through the studies of scriptures, he becomes a vipra (or a scholar). Through realization of supreme spirit (brahmajnana), he becomes a brahmin."

The belief that people born in Brahmin caste, automatically become Brahmins, is a much later concept in the very ancient  India.  Thus, Brahmin means not caste but  one who has attained Atma Jnana or Bramha Jnana.  

Thus we have to know the fact that Buddha, Goudpada and Sri, Sankara are not only reformers but also they are greatest scientists. Since there original thesis have been lost in the labyrinths of philosophy and mutilated by pundits and orthodoxy, it becomes very difficult understand and assimilate the wisdom expounded by the great masters. In addition, the conservativeness of the orthodox scholars will not allow any research other than playing with the words, which suits the mass mind sets, because of their egocentric outlook.

Yoga Vasishtha :- "Teachers, interpretations of sacred texts, the force of religious merit--none of these lead to the realization of that Ultimate Truth which is revealed in the clear reflection of the heart, engendered from contact with the good."

 Orthodoxy have to be rejected, in order to understand and assimilate the real fragrance of the wisdom expounded by the great masters of Advaita, but it is hurricane task.  Thus, it is no use going through all the scriptures, when there is direct path to non-dual truth.  The same time and effort can be used to reach the non-dual destination, in lesser time and effort. 

Buddha got enlightenment after he  rejected Veda ,religion and concept of God. Thus it proves that he got enlightenment without Veda ,religion and concept of God. 

OSHO:-

Buddhists do not believe in God, they believe in emptiness First tell them that Buddhists don't believe in God, and secondly you tell them they believe in emptiness. That's worse! That they believe in "nothingness!" That's worse!

That's why you need to explain. Because when Buddhist say they do not believe in God, it does not mean that Buddhists don't believe in the nature of God! Because the nature of God is the nature of truth, is the sunyata, or emptiness. The same! But Buddhists do not believe in the concept of God. Because in many ways you, you see, however good the concepts are, it does not do justice for the Absolute. All the concepts of God will not describe, really, what God is.-OSHO

Buddha also holds that this world which changes from moment to moment is not 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,which is the Atman,the innermost self. 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 god and devote and the word "devotion" has no meaning.  

Non-duality does not need the support of any Scripture or Revelation like the Veda. For it is based, not upon the varying theological fancies, which are as numerous as the sands of the sea, but upon reason, the common heritage of all mankind, irrespective of colour or creed or clime.

Seeker of truth has to know that something is inadequate in Buddhist or orthodox Advaitic teachings to reach the non-dual destination because of the add-ons and adulteration. It becomes difficult to reach destination directed by the Buddha, Sri, Sankara and Sri, Goudpada without deeper Self-Search.  It is for the seeker to go on his own and remove the obstacle.  The greatest hindrance is mixing religion, god, scriptures, and yogic theories. Moreover, attachment to scriptures, personal god and religious code of conduct keeps one permanently in the grip of duality.

Life has to be lived and one has to reach the truth to overcome the illusory burden and bondage of the experience of the illusory birth, life and death

The waking experience is empirical which is based on ‘ego or waking entity’ as self.  Within the waking experience, one view and judges the worldview(three states)  as a person.  If one wants acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana  then he should learn to view and judge the worldview(three states)  from the  transcendental base  or the base of the   formless soul or  consciousness ,the innermost  self.

One cannot attain truth, while existing in empirical base and one cannot conduct his worldly activities in transcendental base. Both life and truth are important. Life has to be lived and one has to reach the truth to overcome the illusory burden and bondage of the experience of the illusory birth, life and death.  Therefore seeker has to develop an integrated base of Reason to judge the dual and non-dual experiences in order to discover and realize what truth is and what is not, And also to accept the truth and reject the untruth. 

Deeper self-search  helps the seeker to discover and realize the fact that the empirical experience is mere illusion and the helps him to transcend into the invisible non-dual substance which is formless soul or  consciousness. The soul  which is present in the form of consciousness is the innermost self. Soul or consciousness the eternal identity. On the standpoint of the eternal identity the three states are mere mirage created out of itself(consciousness). 

 When the seeker learns to view and judge the  worldview (three states) on the base of the formless soul, the innermost self than the empirical experience(waking)  which was experience as reality is terminated. The difference between empirical is the experience of duality and transcendental experience which is non-duality. The empirical experience itself is illusion on the standpoint of transcendental base.

The person who has not learned to view and judge the worldview on the base of formless soul as self will not be able to realize the truth.

People think the  happiness and sorrow are experienced  within the waking experience as reality because they take the individual experience of  birth,life,death and the world as reality. the individual experience of  birth,life,death and the world experienced within the dream was  reality within the dream but dream became unreal when waking takes place. similarly the waking becomes unreal when wisdom dawns. wisdom dawns when  the waking entity becomes aware of the fact that, the self is neither the waking entity nor the self is dream entity but the the self is the formless soul,which witnesses the coming and going of the three states.

Eating drinking and making merry are reality within the illusion. the three states  will appear false to the Gnani  because he is fully aware of the fact that  all the three states are mere mirage created out of consciousness(formless soul).  

Orthodoxy is  not the means to acquire Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana because they are based on the experience  birth,life, death and the world whereas the soul the innermost self is birthless ,deathless and world less because it is eve formless.  A Gnani  is fully aware of the fact that,   "what is  truth' and 'what is falsehood'  in the midst of the illusory duality( Waking ).

The one who has realized the fact that,formless soul   or consciousness  or spirit is the innermost self and able to view and judge the worldview  on the base of the formless  soul (consciousness  spirit) as self consciously can understand the non-dual true nature of the innermost self. 

It is impossible to experience  bliss as waking entity because the waking entity is false self within the false experience. bliss is the non-dual true nature of soul (consciousness  or spirit), the innermost self. The yogic bliss based on the false self  within the false experience (waking)  cannot be considered as Gnanic  bliss.

The realization of ultimate truth or Brahman is possible only when the seeker inquires  into the nature of the mind.  The Mind  is present in the form of universe and the universe appears as waking or dream.

 Realization of  ultimate truth is possible only to the seeker who learns to view and judge the worldview(three states)  on the base of the soul , the innermost self.

 

All these experiences as father, son, guru, and pupil were one and the same consciousness appearing differently. All these distinctions disappear in the ultimate truth.

In dream the mountain which is apparently insentient and material, is nevertheless still your mind alone. Whether living or dead, conscious or unconscious thought or matter; all things are appearances of one and the same consciousness. All these distinctions are seen by Gnani as only the consciousness.

The words are used only communication purpose. The look of an object will depend upon the medium through which the observer views it. In fact, our mental and intellectual conditions will determine the phenomenal world observed and experienced.  The ignorant viewing the world confronting him sees it different from a Gnani viewing the same world. 

Each one of us interprets the world one sees in terms of his existing knowledge. A Gnani sees world and its contents as the illusory play as consciousness whereas ignorant sees the world and its contents as reality.

Without realization of the ultimate truth or Brahman man remains as ignorant of the ultimate truth or Brahman. Without realization of ultimate truth, the seeker remains as seeker.    On physical plan there is seeker, seeking and destination but from ultimate standpoint there is neither seer, seeking and or destination.   

The words may give different meaning at different level of understanding. As one moves deeper and deeper one realizes the thought, thinker, words and the world are one in essence. Thus in the realm of truth the thought and words become meaningless.  

When one who has realized that which lies beyond form, time and space does not give impotence to thoughts and words which has value only in falsehood.   

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.