Intellectual understanding is based on the false self within the false experience

Intellectual understanding is based on the false self within the false experience. The dual and non-dual is the nature of the soul/self/spirit. When the self is in illusion, it is duality/mind. When the self is in its formless non-dual true nature, it is Ataman. Consciously becoming aware of the true self [soul/spirit] in the midst of duality is self- realization.
Whatever seen, known, believed and experienced on the false self/ego is mere illusion on the standpoint of the soul, which is the true self. Thus the soul, which is the formless substance and witness of the falsehood alone is real, and all else is mere mirage. Therefore, it is necessary to know the physical self is not the self, but the soul/spirit is the true self, in order to know the physical existence is mere illusion.

Living in the present means living in the myth

Living in the present means living in the myth and experiencing the myth as reality. The past, present and future is based on the waking entity or ego which is the false self within the false experience(waking). There is neither past nor present, nor future in reality. Thus the seeker of truth has to realize the fact that,  the past, present and future is part and parcel of the illusion, which comes and goes as waking or dream. The one which is aware of the coming and going of the three states is apart and eternal. Thus, it is necessary to overcome the myth that we must live in the present. 

Living in the past and living in the present and living in future means living in duality. Duality is mere illusion on the standpoint of the true self, which is the soul. 

There is a necessary to understand "what is  mind ?', and then only it is possible to assimilate the self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana . If one limits the mind to the physical entity then he will remain believing in the idea that mind is bundle of thoughts. This mind is bundle of thoughts idea keeps one in the grip of duality and makes one experience duality as reality. 

The thoughts are part of the myth. The thoughts, memory and experience have no relevance in pursuit of truth, because the individuality itself is myth. Thus, individual experiences’ happening within the waking is as real as dream. The waking is parallel dream and dream is parallel waking experience. 

Thus, the truth is not based on individuality but the totality of the three states, which appear and disappear in succession. Thus the intellectuality, which is based on the physicality, will yield only the understanding based on the ego, which is the false self. The non-dual wisdom will not dawn by studying the scriptures, or intellectual arguments but it will dawn only indulge in deeper inquiry, analysis and reasoning. 

The true self is not the waking entity or ego. Basing one-self on the ego and trying to understand and assimilate the self-knowledge is impossibility. The true self is the soul, which is within the three states but it is apart from the three states. It is within the three states as their formless substance and it is apart from the three states as their formless witness. It is apart because it is not an entity or identity within the three states. This formless witness has to be grasped mentally by constant reflecting on the subject, which is formless soul and realize the fact that the true “Self” is not an individual. Thus, it is necessary to rectify the seeking base from form to formless to understand, assimilate and realize the non-dual truth.

It is hard to grasp the non-dual truth

It is hard to grasp the non-dual truth, because one is not ready to investigate or accept his present identity is false self. The ultimate truth is based on the self/soul which is prior to the appearance of the mind. As there is only unity and no diversity in the realm of the true self/soul, then it becomes clear of the fact that the three states are mere mirage. The birth, life and death which happen within the mirage have no value, when one realizes the fact that, the soul is the true self.

The soul exists prior to the mind

The mind is created out of the soul/spirit. Mind is mere mirage. Man and the world exist within the mind. Mind appears as waking and dream and disappears as deep sleep.
Everyone is basing themselves on the waking entity/ego and trying to discover the truth of their true existence, which leads them to intellectual speculation or imagination. When “Self” is not the physical then it is erroneous to base the judgment on the physicality.
The reality exists prior to the appearance of the mind and prevails after disappearance of the mind.
Mind does not exist within the body but the body and world exits within the mind. If one limits the mind to the physical entity, then it becomes ego, and the sense of individuality and separateness is created.
People think the mind is within their body and try to judge the non-dual truth on the base of the body but remain in the world of imagination and speculation.

The individuality makes one feel he is born in this world and world existed prior to him. Thus, he thinks he an individual separate from the world and believes the birth, life and death as reality.
Until one thinks the birth, life and death as reality the self-knowledge is impossibility. Thus it is necessary to realize the fact that, birth, life and death are reality on the base of false self within the false experience.

Thus arguing whether there is soul or no soul, on the base of the false self is erroneous, because the soul exists prior to the mind, and also it is formless substance and witness of the mind.

The soul is a concept on the base of the false self.

The soul is a concept on the base of the false self. The three states are mere mirage on the base of the soul, which is the true self. Therefore, perfect understanding is necessary to understand and assimilate what is truth and what is not truth.
Since people are stuck with the words of their accepted teacher and god men and stop their inner journey believing their masters words. Noting has to be accepted as truth without verifying them through deeper inquiry analysis and reasoning.
The people who are stuck with some teachings will block themselves to move forward in the inner journey. There is no need of any teaching, teacher in pursuit of truth, but only an intense urge to know and realize the truth.