Discrimination between real and unreal and renunciation of the false, is real meditation***

Only the Soul or the consciousness is Real and all else is an illusion. Only your constant remembrance will allow you, one day, to realize  what truth  really is,  and, in so doing realize the ‘Self'.

The exercise in discrimination between real and unreal and renunciation of the false, is real meditation.

The truth is beyond scriptures and egocentric intelligence. Thus,  in order to grasp, assimilate and realize the Advaitic truth the seeker to employ soulcentric reasoning faculty. 

That is why Sage Sri, Sankara says in the commentary in Vedanta-sutra that what is accepted without proper enquiry will not lead a person to the final goal. On the contrary, such acceptance will result only in evil, in something which is detrimental to our spiritual progress.

Thus, Seeker of truth should not believe blindly in traditional orthodox nonduality without verifying all the facts from every angle. One has to reflect through reasoning over and over again without getting tired of the process.

There is no need to study the scriptures. One has to self-search the truth and realize it without the scriptures. And then when he reads the scriptures he becomes aware the scriptures are also saying the same thing but everything is misinterpreted. Mundaka Upanishad:~ This Atman cannot be attained through the study of the Vedas, nor through intelligence, nor through much learning. He who chooses Atman ~by him alone is Atman attained. It is Atman that reveals to the seeker Its true nature. (3 page70upanhsds by Nikilanada)

It means the ultimate truth is beyond scriptures and egocentric intelligence. Thus, in order to grasp, assimilate and realize the Advaitic truth the seeker to employ soulcentric reasoning faculty. 

That is why Sri, Sankara says: ~ VC ~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 utter the name of the medicine, without taking it; (similarly) without direct realization one cannot be liberated by the mere utterance of the word Brahman.

There is nothing more rational, more intelligible and more un-dogmatic insights of Sri, Sankara, is to drop all the theistic nonduality or Advaita which is meant for those who are incapable and not receptive to realize the ultimate truth or Brahman. 
Bhagavad Gita: ~ Reason as means to reality. (Chap.18 verse 37)

In chap. 10 of in Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says: ~ I cannot save you, but I can give you Buddhi (reason). (chap. 10)

In chap. 10 of in Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says: ~ "I have given you the most secret teaching, now reflect over it all" Krishna plainly says reflect, think. (Verse 63 of Chap. 18)

Mundaka Upanishad says: ~ Both states are harmful and take you away from the path of inquiry into truth. (Page 234)

Ashtavakra Gita: ~ It is not the absence of Buddhi (Reason) that can grasp Advaita but the man who possesses the highest intellect. Brains are necessary. Such a man, by merely hearing the truth mentioned will know it. (Page~ 224). 

There is no need for any philosophy in pursuit of truth because they take the seeker nearer to the truth, but they create more doubts and confusions.

Sage Sri, Goudpada: ~ To establish the truth of Non-duality by sheer reasoning alone. He begins by defining "What is real?" "What is unreal?" etc, because that is the right way to discuss or teach. People must first know what they are talking about. (Mandukya Karika)

Reasoning is interpretable in two ways. The egocentric interpretation is to apply it only to waking experience. The soulcentric interpretation is to apply it to the three states. The latter leads to  the final settlement of the problems because it takes all data into consideration. 

As we keep digging deeper and deeper, the truth will shine as pure awareness in the midst of the duality (waking).

Advaitic truth is very simple, but it is very difficult to realize***

Advaita is universal. Advaita is not for Sale. Do not buy Advaita from the spiritual supermarket. Advaita is the nature of the Soul, the innermost Self. The world in which you exist is created out of single stuff. That single stuff is consciousness. Knowledge of the single stuff is Advaitic wisdom. 

Advaitic truth is very simple, but it is very difficult to realize because you have accumulated mental garbage from different sources in the name of Advaita. Until you discard all the accumulated knowledge you will never be able to realize the Advaitic truth, which is beyond the form, time,  and space. 

The Advaita is the nature of the Soul, the innermost Self shines in its own its awareness when wisdom dawns. 

The Advaita is the Soul is the cause and the support of all that exists as the world in which we exist.

The Advaita is present in the form of the consciousness. Advaita is the root element of the universe. From the Advaita, the universe comes into existence. In the Advaita the universe resides. And into the Advaita the universe is dissolved. The Advaita is the parent of all that is there is. 

If the 'Self' is not ‘I’ but the 'Self' is the Soul then on the standpoint of the Soul, the innermost Self:

 ~ 
Where is the ‘I’? 

Where is the ego? 

Where is the body? 

Where is the mind?

Where is the world in which you exist?

Where is the form, time and space? 

Where is the waking experience?

Where is the duality? 

Where is void?

They are or have become one with the Soul which is present in the form of the consciousness. The consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman.

The ‘I’ is present only when the mind is present. The mind is present only when the world is present. The world is present only when there is waking experience.

Deeper self-search reveals the fact that, the waking experience is not considered different from the world. The world is not considered different from the mind. The mind is not considered different from the’ I’. This truth has to be assimilated. 

The ‘I’ is mere an illusion created out of the Soul, which is present in the form of the consciousness. ‘I’ is not the subject. The ‘I’ is an object to the Soul, which is the formless, timeless and spaceless subject. 

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then the world in which you exist is bound to be an illusion.

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then three states, are bound to be an illusion. 

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then the form, time and space are bound to be an illusion. 

If the 'I’ is an illusion then the individual experience of the birth, life, death is bound to be an illusion. 

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then the words and thoughts are bound to be an illusion.

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then the duality is bound to be an illusion. 

The seeker has to make sure what is this ‘I’ supposed to be? The seeker has to make sure the unreal nature of the ‘I’ which comes and goes. 

That is why Bhagavad Gita: ~ The permanent is always there, only the transient ‘I’ comes and goes. (2.18)

The ‘I’ hides the truth of the whole. 

People think the ‘I’ without the body is the Self. The seeker has to understand the fact that the fact that ‘I’ is not the Self, but the witness of the ‘I’ is the true Self, which is eternal. 

That is why Ashtavakra Gita 16:10:~ If you desire liberation, but you still say "I," If you feel the ‘Self’ is the ‘I’, You are not a wise man or a seeker. You are simply a man who suffers. 

People are stuck with the reality of the ‘I’, which they take it as real because some Gurus have propagated the Self is the ‘I’. is no need to convince such mind sets. The seeker of truth accepts only the truth nothing but the truth. 

That is why Sage Sri, Sankara says: - VC-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.

People refuse to accept anything other than Their Gurus words. For them, their Gurus words are the ultimate truth. They do not accept anything else other than their accepted truth. There is no need to convince such mindset.

Such mindsets are not fit to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. The seekers of truth accept only the truth nothing but the uncontradictable truth. 

"The Kingdom of God is inside you and all around you, Not in a mansion of wood and stone*****

1. Jesus said: ~“Whoever discovers the interpretation of these sayings will not taste death." (Jesus spoke and Didymos Judas Thomas recorded) 

3. Jesus said:~  "If your leaders say to you, 'Look, the (Father's) kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the (Father's) kingdom is within you and it is outside you. (Jesus spoke and Didymos Judas Thomas recorded) 

5. Jesus said:~ "Know what is in front of your face, and what is hidden from you will be disclosed to you.

For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. [And there is nothing buried that will not be raised.]" (Jesus spoke and didymos judas thomas recorded) 

All biblical insights lead to nondual Self-awareness. Self-Awareness is Christ consciousness.  Self –Knowledge or Brahma Gnana in the biblical sense is Truth or Christ.  The truth was not written down but was imparted orally to the chosen few.

John 8:32:~ You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Jesus said:~  "Know what is in front of your face, and what is hidden from you will be disclosed to you. (Gospel of Thomas- saying 5)

It means one has to know the world which confronts him confronts to realize his body and world are made of the same essence and that essence is Spirit [father].  

Even Sage Sri, Sankara says:~ one must first know what is before him. If he cannot know that, what else can he know or understand? If he gives up the external world in his inquiry, he cannot get the whole truth.

VC- 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.

Sri, Sankara says ~VC~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.

Jesus said:~"Those who seek should not stop seeking until they find. When they find, they will be disturbed. When they are disturbed, they will marvel, and will reign over all." (Gospel of Thomas 2)

"The Kingdom of God is inside you and all around you, Not in a mansion of wood and stone.  Split a piece of wood and God is there, Lift a stone and you will find God." (Gospel of Thomas)

1.According to the New Testament, Jesus said to his disciples: ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others, they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand’ (Luke, 8:10). While speaking to the multitude in a veiled manner, ‘privately to his own disciples he explained everything’ (Mark, 4:34), and advised them not to ‘throw your pearls before swine’ (Matthew, 7:6).

2. According to Clement of Alexandria (150-215 CE), ‘Mark’ preached three different gospels. The New Testament version was intended for ‘beginners’, but there was also a Secret Gospel of Mark for those who were ‘perfected’, i.e. initiated. Clement advised one of his students that the existence of this secret gospel should be denied ‘even under oath’, for ‘the light of the truth should be hidden from those who are mentally blind’. The third gospel was so mystical that it was not written down but was imparted orally to the chosen few (JM 120-1).

When the seeker indulges in deeper self-search than he realizes the fact that, the experience of the form, time and space are one in essence. And that essence is spirit or consciousness. Thus, the form, time, and space are merely an illusion created out of single, stuff,   which is Spirit or consciousness.   The spirit or consciousness is the innermost self.  The Spirit or consciousness is ultimate truth or Brahman or Christ.      

How does he know that the scriptures are true?

People think it is very difficult to acquire Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.  It is very difficult to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana because it has been adulterated in the past with religion, yoga and theoretical philosophies. Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana has to be acquired carefully and gradually, through deeper self-search.

In the past, spirituality was treated not as a separate subject but as a part of religion, but it is not so. Religion is based on the form (egocentric) and spirituality is based on formless (soulcentric). Therefore, spirituality is nothing to do with religion and yoga.  Thus the path of wisdom has to be bifurcated from the path of religion and yoga and all egocentric paths and practices, in order to remove all the obstructions which blocking the realization of ultimate truth.   Spirituality is a rational inquiry regarding all that is known to exist.

Whatever stage one may be is he is receptive and able to devote himself exclusively to a pursuit of the ultimate   truth or Brahman, by means of soulcentric reason leads him to non-dualistic or Advaitic Self-Awareness 

The seeker should pursue this quest until all his questions will be answered, until his doubts and confusions will disappear and solved.

If God is to be Almighty he must be free to change his mind. If he is changeable, He cannot be Truth, as per my definition.

v  How does one know that he is related to God?

v  Has he seen God?

That He created the world, that he has manifested himself is merely supposed. It may be, but how does he know?

v  How does he know that the scriptures are true?

The sages, seer or prophets might have been mistaken. To accept these scriptures without reasoning is to possess the slave mentality.

 One should not start his pursuit of truth with the idea of God , because he does not know whether there is a God or not. There is no proof. If anyone mentions about God then he must prove his existence because mere belief cannot be accepted as proof.  

One need not doubt that mystics saw God. That they saw visions may he an undeniable fact. However, the question is “Was what they saw the Truth?" They no doubt had such vision but they never stopped to inquire if their visions be true.

Swami Vivekananda :-

THE MASSES IN INDIA CRY TO SIXTY MILLION GODS, AND STILL DIE LIKE DOGS. WHERE ARE THESE GODS?

 Knowing this, stand up and fight! Not one step back that is the idea. ... Fight it out, whatever comes. Let the stars move from the sphere! Let the whole world stand against us! Death means only a change of garment. What of it? Thus fight! You gain nothing by becoming cowards. ... Taking a step backward, you do not avoid any misfortune. You have cried to all the gods in the world. Has misery ceased? The masses in India cry to sixty million gods, and still die like dogs. Where are these gods? ... The gods come to help you when you have succeeded. So what is the use? Die game. ... This bending the knee to superstitions, this selling yourself to your own mind does not befit you, my soul. You are infinite, deathless, birthless. Because you are infinite spirit, it does not befit you to be a slave. ... Arise! Awake! Stand up and fight! Die if you must. There is none to help you. You are the entire world. Who can help you? - Swami Vivekananda 

(Delivered In San Francisco, on May 28, 1900) -The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 1/Lectures And Discourses/The Gita II

Spiritualists take all the facts, science, religion, art etc. and then ask of them, which is the truth? One collects as much evidence as possible, even contradictory, and then proceeds to examine all of it. One is not opposed to anything, but says, "inquire, analyze and reason on the true base, how far is it true?”

Belief in tradition and scriptures as true leads to a path of fanaticism. Belief, believer and belief system are part of the duality. The duality is a mere mirage from ultimate standpoint.    Due to fear injected by belief system to the avoidance of the "wrath of God," the hope of heaven or salvation, or the imagined "end of suffering people are stuck to their inherited beliefs.

"God" exists because "you" exist, not vice versa. When awake to true nature this is known immediately.

 Sri, Sankara says Atman is Brahman and everything is Brahman is scientific declaration not religious or yogic. Sri, Sankara and Goudpada are more scientific than anyone else in the world. Since, the real Advaitic essence is hidden it cannot be got without the inner (mental) journey.

Goudpada says that:- The merciful Veda teaches karma and Upasana to people of lower and middling intellect, while Jnana is taught to those of higher intellect.

Gnana here is knowledge un-contradictable truth or scientific truth. Thus their scientific truth of the whole not part is declared by Sri,Sankara 1400 years back and thought only to those of higher intellect. Thus karma and upasana, yoga and orthodoxy have to be bifurcated in order to realize the ultimate truth or Brahman

Wisdom is for those are capable of inquiring into their own existence to know and realize the ultimate truth or Brahman