Bhad upanishd- 8-p- -211 :- This Self is dearer than a son, dearer than wealth, dearer than everything else, because It is innermost

The soul is the real  self. The soul is in the form of consciousness. The formless substance and witness of the three states is consciousness.  The three states are one in essence.  Thus the three states are mere mirage created out of consciousness.  

One has to realize the fact that, it is not the waking entity (you) which witnesses the three states.  The formless soul is the witness of the coming and going of the three states. The soul is immutable. The soul is unaffected by the happening within the three states because the three states are mere mirage created out of the formless soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. The soul or consciousness is the innermost self. 

The self is neither the waking entity nor the self is dream entity but the self is the formless soul. The on the standpoint of the soul, the innermost self the three states are non-existent as reality.    

In the cloud there is nothing other than water, so too consciousness is nothing other than itself. It is the absolute without a second.

The moon reflecting on water and appearing as many, the self is just like the reflection of the moon on water which increases with the volume of water and decreases with its reduction, which moves when the water moves, and which differs as the water differs. The moon seems to conform to the characteristics of water, but in reality the moon never has these increasing or decreasing qualities. So also, from the highest point of view, consciousness always retains its sameness; it seems to conform to such characteristics as increase and decrease of the limiting adjunct, owing to its entry into such an adjunct as a universe. 

Thread is drawn from cotton and is woven into cloth. But the reality of cotton is in both of these forms, viz., thread and cloth. Similarly, the projections of names and forms of this material universe on consciousness do not alter the nature of consciousness. It remains as it is without any change.

 One can also illustrate the uniqueness of consciousness by analyzing the phenomenon of dreams. Dream is parallel waking experience. And waking experience is parallel. The three states are an object to the subject, which is formless consciousness. The consciousness is the formless substance and witness of the three states one is unaware of the subject because he considers the waking entity as self and views and judges the three states, which is erroneous.

The waking entity is limited to the waking experience, and the dream entity is limited to the dream experience. In deep sleep the waking or dream experiences are absent, thus the witness remains in its formless non-dual true nature, but due to ignorance of the true self, which is the substance and witness of the three states, one experiences the three states as reality. When one becomes aware of the formless witness of the three states then one becomes aware of the fact that, the three states are mere mirage on the standpoint of the true self, which is consciousness.  

Thus whatever seen, known, believed and experienced within the waking experience is falsehood.  Thus the experience of universe and birth, life and death are myth. Thus the belief of god, heaven, hell, paradise, sin, karma, rebirth, reincarnation is myth.  

Thus by worshiping individualized god and following religion studying scriptures are for those who are incapable of realizing the truth of their true existence.     

Bhad upanishd- 8-p- -211 :- This Self is dearer than a son, dearer than wealth, dearer than everything else, because It is innermost. If one holding the Self dear were to say to a person who speaks of anything other than the Self as dear, that he, the latter, will lose what he holds dear—and the former is certainly competent to do so—it will indeed come true. One should meditate upon the Self alone as dear. He who meditates upon the Self alone as dear—what he holds dear will not perish.

The true existence is consciousness without the form, time and space. Therefore the self is nothing other than the consciousness. However, this consciousness is not the flux of states, a stream of consciousness.

A permanent view of world as unreal can come only after soul centric reasoning; such knowledge cannot change. Were the seeker who is sufficiently sharpness he could grasp the unreal nature of the world by soul-centric reasoning alone.  To know whole truth, one must know the whole universe, otherwise he gets only half-truth. 

Renouncing the worldly life and accepting sanyasa or monk-hood means incapacity to think deeper, an impotency to inquire and reason. 

People speak of getting rid of conditioning or samskara but they themselves are unaware of the fact that, the universe in which they exist is product of the inborn samskara or conditioning.  The ignorance is cause of the inborn samskara or conditioning which present as ‘I’ or ‘I AM’. 

The real Moksha or freedom is   to realize the fact that ‘I’ consciousness is mere physical awareness. Physical awareness is not self-awareness. The self –awareness is when the formless soul or consciousness remains aware of its own non-dual   true nature.

Waking and dream emerge from consciousness.

 Sage Sri Ramana Maharishi Says: The self is fullness of consciousness. Therefore, there is nothing apart from it. (Page-8 – Practical Guide To Know Yourself).

Waking and dream emerge from consciousness. The emergence of the waking or dreams does not make any difference to the consciousness. The consciousness remains unchanged and unaffected by the waking or dream, even though both the waking or dream objects and the waking or dreams are aspects of the consciousness. 

The dreamer would not realize that dream objects and the dreams are simply aspects of the consciousness unless he wakes up from the dream. Once the waking takes place the dream becomes unreal, same way when wisdom dawns the waking becomes unreal.  The unchanging reality behind the waking or dream experience is the consciousness. 

Consciousness (soul) is the substance and witness of the duality.  The duality is present in the form of mind. Mind is present in the form of universe. The universe appears as waking or dream and diapers as deep sleep. The one which is aware of the coming and going of the three states is neither the waking entity nor the dream entity but the formless soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.  When the soul becomes aware of its formless non-dual true nature in the midst of duality it is called self –awareness. It is foolish to limit the consciousness only to duality because the consciousness pervades all the three states

The waking or dream experiences are external manifestation of consciousness. As long as a person is caught up in the phenomenal existence, he does not see the unity behind the multiplicity. When one wakes up to the consciousness as it is in itself, not perceived or interpreted, or noumenal   level he becomes aware of the one, non-dual consciousness, which was the cause of the three states.  

Thus, consciousness is supreme. It is the reality. It has no beginning and end. It is eternal and beyond the reach of pain and pleasure. Consciousness is indivisible, immeasurable, without names and forms. It cannot be avoided, as it is present everywhere. Consciousness cannot be grasped, as it is transcendent. It cannot be contained in anything, as it contains everything. Consciousness is indefinable, for it is beyond the range of action and speech. Thus, consciousness is reality itself, pure and absolute consciousness.

Consciousness is ultimate reality is defined as that which persists. Consciousness exists in all periods of time and remains the same in the past, present and future.

Consciousness is ultimate reality exists both in the manifest and the unmanifested. The mind, which is in the form of universe arises out of the consciousness .The consciousness exists in all the three states. The mind rises from it and Merges back into consciousness. 

Consciousness is the substratum and the three states. Consciousness is like the ocean and mind is like wave. Wave exists in ocean and Merges back into ocean. Similarly the mind or universe is nothing but consciousness. Everything is consciousness.

Therefore, consciousness is a principle of utter simplicity. There is no duality in consciousness for no qualities are found in the concept of consciousness. It is also simple in the sense that it is not subject to inner contradictions, which would make it changeable and transitory. To understand the nature of consciousness and to speak of it, consciousness in its reality, is not a metaphysical postulate that can be proved logically, but it must be grasped and realized mentally not through argument or logical conclusions but perfect reasoning. Thus, consciousness is one: It is not a `He or She ', a personal being; nor is it an `It', an impersonal concept. It is that state which comes about when all subject-object distinctions are obliterated.

The task of human life is not to search for one’s ultimate destiny externally, but to move into himself and discover the ultimate truth of his true existence.

Man can live his life either as entangled with the illusory world or being open to the spiritual realities. The human life does not consist in being caught up in the physical existence, but rather in a depth living, in which, one must experience the source of the universe within oneself.

 The task of human life is not to search for one’s ultimate destiny externally, but to move into himself and discover the ultimate truth of his true  existence. It is not a new knowledge, but a realization of what one really is. It is a self-realization, in which one realizes consciousness as one's indwelling spirit (soul).

The goal of self-realization is consciousness, the ultimate universal spirit behind the mind, which is in the form of universe and soul, which is in the form of consciousness, the ultimate principle within the three states. Only when one has true knowledge about both mind and soul can one begin to experience the oneness between the two. The seeker of truth has to clarify these two notions in preparation for the analysis of the nature of mind and the self.

The mind, which is in the form of universe, is created out of consciousness.  Consciousness is principle substance and the cause of the illusion, which is in the form of universe. Consciousness is the unitary and supreme reality, which is hidden within the illusion but remains the same and resists change, thereby the knowledge of which frees one from experiencing the illusion, which is in the form of universe as reality.

Consciousness is the cause of the illusion, which is in the form of universe and it itself is uncaused.  Consciousness signifies the absolute and unlimited reality, which forms the substratum and the foundation of the illusion, which is in the form of mind or universe, and on which everything depends for its existence.

 Consciousness is self-sufficient and does not depend on anything else for its existence. Hence, it must be a spiritual entity since matter is dependent, limited and subject to change.

Whatever exists is in the illusion or universe is created out of single substance, and this one universal substance is consciousness. Consciousness is absolutely homogeneous in nature. It is pure. It is absolutely destitute of qualities, and whatever qualities or attributes are conceivable can only be denied of it. Thus, consciousness is without qualities and beyond the order of one’s empirical and worldly experience; so one cannot grasp consciousness with his empirical experience. In other words, consciousness is a priori and cannot be grasped by a posteriori or limited experience.

Though consciousness is the ultimate reality that underlies the multiplicity of the phenomenal universe cannot be strictly expressed in terms of empirical language.

 The consciousness is the true self. When the seeker realizes the fact that, the self is not physical but self is the formless consciousness then he also realizes the fact that, the universe in, which he exists is mere mirage created out of consciousness. Thus there is no second thing exists other than consciousness. When one realizes the fact that his body and universe also consciousness, then he realizes the fact that, there is no second thing exists other than the consciousness, which is the true self.  Thus the consciousness, which is the true self, pervades all the three states as their formless substance and witness.    

Consciousness is eternal; is not bound by time; imperishable, deathless and changeless; and immaculate and not affected by any limiting adjuncts. Just as electricity works through different equipment, yet remains unaffected, so also consciousness, though it functions through everything visible, is unaffected by it. Consciousness is liberated, i.e., it is not affected by burden and bondage of the illusion or universe and always free.  Thus knowing the consciousness as self is important for getting freedom from experiencing the illusion or duality as reality.  

Consciousness is One. Though due to superimposition, the illusory universe is projected on consciousness it remains untouched by them. Just as a dream is super imposed on consciousness, so also the waking experience is super imposed on consciousness.  Only by realizing the fact that, the self is not physical but self is consciousness one become aware of the fact that the three states are mere mirage created out of consciousness.   When the self- knowledge dawns, the illusory reality or the universe becomes unreal and only consciousness exists.

Consciousness is unbroken existence. Unlike the passing joys derived from material things, the unbroken tranquillity of self-realization is absolute and eternal. Therefore, the consciousness is unbroken and everlasting. Consciousness is non-dual. Consciousness is all pervading. It alone exists, and it exists everywhere. If it were not so, there would be a place where consciousness has no access and it would limit consciousness. So it is limitless and all pervading.

 Consciousness is formless. Since it is all pervading and existing everywhere, it is beyond form. Having a form limits a being. So, limitless consciousness is formless. Consciousness is ultimate truth, because it is that which remains the same at all times -- in the past, the present and the future. Consciousness as truth is ever the same and unchanging. Consciousness as, wisdom, is absolute knowledge.

One cannot have knowledge of consciousness, as he has knowledge of sound, smell, taste, pain and pleasure; but consciousness is unconditional knowledge. Knowing consciousness as self is self-realization. Consciousness is endless and infinite.

Waves have temporary existence, but the sea is permanent. In the same way, the three states are passing and consciousness, the infinite and the endless is the substratum upon which the mind or universe appears.

Because of one’s inability to grasp the true nature of consciousness, only with the help of deeper inquiry, analysis and reasoning, whatever positive descriptions one develops about consciousness in the light of the discrimination will remain in the level of physical experience.  As consciousness is beyond the physical experience, so is it beyond physical based knowledge.

 At the same time the word `existence' cannot be attributed to consciousness and to the empirical world in the same way, for consciousness’s existence is of a different nature. The existence of consciousness is opposed to all empirical existence, so that in comparison with this it can just as well be considered as non-existence.

 Consciousness is the formless substance and witness of all the three states.  The nature of consciousness is so transcendent that it cannot be compared with anything in the world one knows. At the same time, consciousness is present in all its manifestations, for without the consciousness nothing can exist. Yet the empirical experience of consciousness is not possible.

 Thus, consciousness is that unalterable and absolute Being, which remains identical with itself in all its manifestations. It is the basis and ground of all experience, and is different from the space-time-cause world. Consciousness has nothing similar to it, nothing different from it, and no internal differentiation, for all these are objective distinctions. It is non-, non-objective and wholly other, but it is not non-being.

It is erroneous to recognize the mind, which is in the form of the universe as different from consciousness, which is the true self.

Psychology is based on the body as self. They believe the mind is limited to the individual.  Psychologists commit the error of defining consciousness as a duality of Mind plus the object! Unless both are together there is no awareness of experience. They deny that consciousness can exist apart from objects. But without the consciousness one will not be aware of the deep sleep. The consciousness can prevail with or without the waking or dream experiences, as in deep sleep. Thus, deep sleep is given as a valuable warning against such an erroneous position.  

Many do not go into the question what is mind? What is substance of the mind? “What is meant by mental?" or what is beyond mind? That is, because they are is ignorant of the formless witness.

Psychology has nothing to do with the formless witness, because they consider the physical eyes [body] to be the witness.  The psychology discusses   that which is aware of all these things and ideas and processes and reactions.  But the truth is beyond psychology, because psychology is limited to the three states.  The beyond [consciousness] is aware of the three states, which comes and goes. When the consciousness becomes aware of its true nature, the three states are mere mirage created out consciousness. Thus in the realm of the formless non-dual true nature of consciousness there is no scope for duality, because there is only non-dual reality.  

The only certain thing about the body is that it is forever changing; the greatest change of all being death which no one can prevent. In contrast to the body the consciousness is the only thing of whose unchanging character one can be certain. For the consciousness tells one about all the bodily changes, remaining itself relatively constant, as a standard of reference for them.

One can never know what the mind really is without deeper inquiry, analysis and reasoning. One has to study deep enough by analyzing the three states. Most people are unaware of it because they stick to the idea mind is within the body and every individual has his own mind.  But  if one  wants to study formless witness , he  must make the three states as an  object ; and if it becomes an object , it is no longer  the witness , no longer the mind; if he  wants the formless witness  as it really is, then it is absolutely impossible to study it.  Only  Mentally one can grasp it.  

The three states can all be summed up in one word – Mind. Mind is seen/object never the witness.  The term Witness, Seer, is used in a non-dual sense, without reference to objects witnessed, absolute awareness, not relative.

Thinker and Thought are present in waking or dream.   The thoughts cannot rise without the form. Thus the thinker has to be the form. Thus the thought comes to the form. Without the form the thoughts ceases to rise.  The form rises only in waking or dream. Without the waking or dream the form ceases to exist. The waking or dream exists only when the mind is present. The waking or dream ceases when the mind ceases.  Your mind produced the thought. Thoughts, feelings, rises along with the mind subside along with the mind. Even if it is of God, it is still within the mind. Thus mind rises as waking or dream [duality] and subsides as deep sleep [non-duality].   Thus consciously becoming aware of the non-duality in the midst of duality is wisdom.   

Once one really understands that all three states are objects to the subject, you may hope to understand non-duality but without it he never will.

Birth, life death and universe are experiences within the waking or dream, which are object to the subject. Therefore,   birthlessness is the characteristic of non-object, i.e. the true self, which is consciousness.

It is erroneous to recognize the mind, which is in the form of the universe as different from consciousness, which is the true self.

 Except self-illuminating consciousness, the universe or mind, which is mirage  gets reflected by that supreme light.  The universe originates from consciousness, sustained by consciousness and dissolves unto consciousness.

One can only know the universe is a mirage, when he discriminates between the three states and the formless witness of the three states.

One can only know the universe is a mirage, when he discriminates between the three states and the formless witness of the three states.  Thus, it is necessary to understand the fact that, the formless witness is apart from the mind or universe, which appears as waking or dream experiences.   When the universe was nonexistent in deep sleep it was in its formless non-dual true nature. The knower of the coming and going of the universe [mind] is birthless and apart. This has to be grasped mentally and    just as one knows a sound by its contrast to silence.

The one investigation into mind, which is in the form of universe, is infinite; it will always go on and yet never come to an end. For however many things may be known, there will always be more waiting to be known. They must realize the fact that the nature of the universe is only mirage; whatever they discover within the mirage, they will only discover only mirage. Realizing this, they will have to turn to the formless substance and witness of the mirage to know the consciousness alone is real the universe is mere mirage.

When one denies existence of the soul, which is in the form of consciousness, he denies only the physical existence [universe]; consciousness is the secret support of his denial. The universe is erupted from consciousness, sustained by consciousness and finally it dissolves as consciousness.  The   Illustration is the dream. The dream has erupted from consciousness, sustained by consciousness and finally it dissolves as consciousness. Same way the waking experience also erupted from consciousness and sustained by consciousness and finally dissolves as consciousness. 

The formless substance and witness of the three states alone is permanent, the three states goes. Those who cannot understand and analyze all experience into formless witness and three states will always have trouble in grasping the truth.

Universe or mind is mere mirage, but one cannot say it is mirage unless he becomes aware of the existence of the formless witness. It is there always, hence it is impossible to be aware of three states without it.

There can be no such thing as a three states without the formless substance and witness, which is consciousness. No one can see the limitations of the Witness i.e. the true self. If one sees his limitations, then he is seeking body as self or witness, not the true self, which is in the form of consciousness.

Universe or mind is only an object or seen, hence one try to transcend it. Even consciousness is only an idea within the mirage. The universe is mere mirage to the true self, which is consciousness. The subject [consciousness] as well as the object [universe or mind] is one in essence. Thus, everything [whole universe] is consciousness.   No second thing exits other than consciousness. Hence it is non-dual.