If one says he has experienced the self than he is hallucinating.

Many people think they have experienced the self.  But if anyone says he  has experienced the self than he is hallucinating.  The self cannot be experienced. All the experiences are possible only within the illusion because the duality is present only in illusion. In reality there is only non-dual  self awareness.  There is no second thing exist other than consciousness.  Thus self cannot be realized through physical effort. All the physical based effort will not yield any fruits. Pursuit of truth is purely mental journey thus it is only mental effort of understanding,assimilating and realizing it. 

People are stuck with there accumulated knowledge and they make it a yardstick and try to snub others without verifying  the facts.  They think they gain wisdom through arguments and logical conclusion and intellectual speculation.  They are dependent on the mental spoon feeding of the stale knowledge expounded by others.  They do not have spirit of verifying the fact but they have mastered the art of snubbing others. Such people reach nowhere, they are like stagnant water in dirty pond. 

Serious Seekers have  to avoid  discussing with such group where they discuss all sorts of subject of practical world,  It is waste of time discuss and argue with them. The subject of  ultimate truth is nothing to do with the practical world.  The pursuit of truth is for  to discover and realize the reality of our true existence.    Thus the discussion has to be focused only on realizing the true self.  

The consciousness is true self . Consciousness is ultimate truth. If one thinks: "I know Brahman well," then surely he knows but little of its form; he knows only its form as conditioned by man or by the concept of gods. Therefore Consciousness has to be grasped through inquiry, analysis and reasoning on the true base.

Consciousness is not known by those who know it; it is known by those who do not know it.  That is when one says he knows Consciousness; he is saying it as a person. The Consciousness cannot be applied only to the individuality but to the whole experience [three states]. But in reality the person and world created out of Consciousness, thus nothing exits other then Consciousness. Thus if one says he knows Brahman as a person, he is making a wrong statement. One must know Consciousness as the formless clay of the three states (whole).

Consciousness is known when it is realized in every state of mind; for by such Knowledge one attains Immortality. By Consciousness one obtains strength; by Knowledge, Immortality

If a man knows Consciousness here, he then attains the non dual goal of his mission. If he does not know it here, he remains ignorance experiencing the cycle of birth, life and death as reality. Having realized the Self in every being, the wise relinquish the world and become immortal.

In illusion the self is in burden and bondage

In illusion the self is in burden and bondage. In reality it is free from all burden and bondage. One cannot understand what is truth because of the physical awareness. One when one becomes aware of the fact that the physical existence is mere mirage through wisdom one becomes aware of the fact that there is no second thing exists other than the soul, which is in the form of  consciousness. Thus consciousness alone is real and all else is mere mirage created out of consciousness.

Consciousness the true Self is hidden and pervades in everything and everywhere in the three states as their formless substance and witness; but it is seen by Gnanis through their one—pointed and subtle intellects.

seeker should understand the fact that, all the  experiences of the three states  are created out of Consciousness.

Seeker has to arise! awake and learn to know the fact that, the experience of  duality [waking/dream] is created out of Consciousness, without understanding this fact , there is no unity in diversity. The path of truth is like the sharp edge of a razor, so it is hard to tread and difficult to cross without perfect understanding and without perfect reasoning.  

Having realized Consciousness as self , which is soundless, intangible, formless, undecaying and likewise tasteless, eternal and odourless; having realized that which is without beginning and end, beyond and unchanging—one is freed from experiencing the duality as reality.

It is through Consciousness that one perceives all objects in sleep or in the waking state. Having realized the vast, all—pervading Consciousness, one enters into non dual tranquility.

He who knows the soul as true self, the formless  witness  of  the three states, as Consciousness, free from experiencing the  past ,present and the future as reality.

True self  is undistorted Consciousness. One who meditates on Consciousness alone  is free from experiencing the pain and pleasure as reality, liberated from the bonds of ignorance; he becomes free from experiencing the diversity as reality.

The soul,  which is in the form of consciousness when identifies with the body and  the universe dwelling in it by experiencing the duality as reality. If it is torn away from the body and the universe  , is freed from it, what then remains?  Whatever prevails is the true self,which  non dual Consciousness.

The soul, which remains awake and   witnesses all the three states which comes an goes in succession .   Soul  indeed is the pure awareness without the body and the universe it  alone is called the Immortal. All three states are contained in Consciousness and none can pass beyond.

Studying of scriptures is not necessary in pursuit of truth

All the doubts and confusion will remain until one  bases his self as the  ego, which is false self. Thus self realization is necessary  in order to become soul centric.  When one  becomes soul centric than only it is possible to decide  ‘what is truth’ and ‘what is not truth’.  

Accumulated egocentric knowledge is not yardstick in pursuit of truth because the truth  has to be ascertain by seeker himself by deeper self-search . Until one mentally rectifies his reasoning  base from form(waking entity  or ego) to formless(soul or consciousness) it is difficult for anyone to understand and assimilate the non-dual truth.

 It takes a long time to learn to view the worldview on the base of soul,which is the true self. Only deeper self search will lead one towards the inner reality. FP blogs are mere signpost for advanced fellow  seekers. No seeker of truth will accept anything as truth because it is said in FP blogs but he will verify them  personally and he will accept only  if it is un-contradictable truth. 

Studying of scriptures is not necessary

The Upanishads clearly indicate:-

This Atman cannot be attained by the study of the Vedas, or by intelligence, or by much hearing of sacred books. It is attained by him alone whom It chooses. To such a one Atman reveals Its own form. [Katha Upanishad Ch-II -23-P-20]

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This Atman cannot be attained through study of the Vedas, nor through intelligence, nor through much learning. He who chooses Atman—by him alone is Ataman attained. It is Atman that reveals to the seeker Its true nature. (3 –page-70 MundakaUpanishad (Upanishads by Nikilanada)

Raman Mahrshi explains [in page 111/112- practical guide to know yourself]:-

Q: D: Is it not necessary to study the Vedas or at least Prastnatraya(Bagvadgita.Dasoponishad and Brahma Sutra all with commentaries)to ensure firm realization?

A: Bhagvan: - No. Do you need all that to see yourself? All that is intellectual wealth, useful in explain doubts and difficulties if others rise them if you yourself encounter them in course of thinking. But to attain realization, all that is not necessary. You want fresh water to drink, but you do not require all the water of the river Ganges to quench your quest.

Raman Maharshi:- fortunate are the one who do not lose themselves in the labyrinths of philosophy. Bhagwan says: Take Vedanta, for instance: it speaks of 15 pranas the names and functions of it   which the student is asked to commit memory. Will it not be sufficient if he thought only one prana does the whole work of maintaining the body? Again the antakaran is said to think, to desire, to will, to reason etc. Why all these details? Has anyone seen antakarana, or all these pranas? Do they really exist? They are conceptual divisions invented by teachers of philosophy by their excessive analysis. Where do all these concepts end? Why should confusion created and then explained away? Fortunate is the man who does not lose himself in the labyrinths of philosophy, but goes straight to the source from which they all arise. (GURU RAMANA .By S.S Cohen -vii Danger of philosophy-Page -58-59)

The above passages further prove that: Self-Knowledge cannot be attained by study of the Vedas and intellectual understanding or by bookish knowledge.  Therefore there is no use of studying the Vedas and other scriptures in order to acquire the non-dual wisdom.  That is why Buddha rejected the scriptures, and even Sri, Sankara indicated that, the ultimate truth lies beyond religion, concept of god and scriptures.  

They alone in this world are endowed with the highest wisdom who are firm in their conviction of the sameness and birthlessness of Atman. The ordinary man does not understand their way.[Chapter IV — AlatasantiPrakarana 95-P-188 in Upanishads by Nikilanada]

Therefore, there is no use of taking strain to understand assimilate the conceptual divisions invented by teachers of philosophy by their excessive analysis. There are more and more doubts and confusions, if one tries to understand and assimilate the ultimate truth through scriptures. 

Why to follow the path of doubts and confusion by losing oneself in the labyrinths of philosophy, when one can realize the ultimate truth without them. By mentally tracing the source of the mind from where it rises and subsides one becomes aware of the fallacy of the mind, which rises as waking or dream and subsides as deep sleep.  The mind raises form consciousness and subsides as consciousness. Therefore, there is a need for perfect understanding assimilation of non-dual truth.   Thus it is necessary to drop all the accumulated baggage and indulge in deeper self-search, to know what is said in my blogs is right and wrong. egocentric judgment is of no use in soul-centric discussion because both are of different pole,which leads to pursuit of argument. 

Pursuit of truth is not pursuit of argument but pursuit of verification by the seeker. Thus seeker himself has to verify and decide  whether the self is form or self is formless. If self is form then all the egocentric theories are truth. If self is formless than they have to drop all the accumulated knowledge based on the false self.  Thus the onus is on the seeker to verify and decide ‘what is truth’ and ‘what is untruth’ for himself.

Only in few the urge of knowing the ultimate truth or Brahman arises

Only in few  the urge of  knowing  the ultimate truth  or Brahman  arises . Most people think that they are not here for fulfill any aim; they are not center of this world, their existence not important more than fauna... Life is meaningless but significant... Life is not for any inquire, only live. How to live? People without the inner urge are not suited for pursuit of truth. Nothing pleases them other than the worldly pleasure. Such people  cling  only to whatever pleases them.  The ultimate truth cannot be imposed on anyone,  since it is a very personal journey and the truth has to be ascertained by seeker himself.  

Everyone’s life circumstances are not the same.  Some  are enjoying life with pleasure of  worldly things   and some are suffering ,some are busy with their work or societal service , some are busy with religion, business  and political venture.  Thus each are busy with their own life.  This game of life is reality within the illusion. People who are stuck with reality of life,  are unaware of the fact that, there practical life within the practical world , is reality within the waking experience.But waking experience itself  is mere illusion from ultimate standpoint. 

The pursuit of truth is not for those who think the practical life within the practical world as reality. It is for those who are in search of their true existence. Rest will follow religion, yoga and whatever that satisfies them. Self-knowledge is only for those have the inner urge to know the ultimate truth or Brahman.

Many people think as human existence what we will do with all these things.  The people who are unaware of the fact that their human existence is reality within the illusion are afraid of losing their physical identity.  

 It is very difficult to talk to people about ultimate truth/Brahman because everyone thinks he knows the ultimate truth/Brahman. This- I know business is dangerous.  And whatever his reached conclusion is second hand stuff.  Therefore, accepting accumulated knowledge without verification will lead the seekers to hallucinated realization based on the ego.  One may have some flashes of truth when someone tries to indicate it through fewer words. But it takes nearer to truth not realization. 

Upanishad's say "He who thinks he knows, does not know." This means that to know anything implies a second, an object of knowledge, hence duality, i.e. no Gnana.

Second-hand knowledge of the self-gathered from books or gurus can never emancipate a man until its truth is rightly investigated and applied; only direct realisation will do that. Realise yourself, turning the mind inward. – Tripura Rahasya, 18: 89

The pursuit of truth is a mental journey. Deeper self-search  makes one aware of what truth is and what is untruth and the subconscious  will be able to reject the untruth after knowing, what is Truth. Whatever prevails after rejecting the untruth is the ultimate truth. 

Sri, Sankara and Maya

VlSHNUVARDHANA, the King of the Hoysalas, was a Vaishnavite and was greatly incensed at the doctrine taught by Sri, Sankara that everything here below is an illusion. He wanted to teach the exponent of this doctrine a lesson. So he invited the then Sri, Sankara to his palace. That holy man went there and stoutly maintained that everything in this world was illusion. The king had arranged to let loose an infuriated elephant against Sri, Sankara. The beast rushed at Sri, Sankara who took to a precipitate flight to save himself.

'Oh, Venerable Sir,' shouted the king, 'why do you run so fast seeing that the elephant is only an illusion?' 

'Oh, king,' said  Sri, Sankara in his course of his flight, 'my running too is an illusion. Everything in this world is an illusion.’ 

Similarly, we all are searching truth within the illusion not being aware of the fact that, the illusion is created out of single stuff which is:-Consciousness or Spirit or Self or Christ or Brahman or Emptiness.

Thus searching the truth in illusion with the illusory self, within the illusory experience, has to be illusion. The illusion is created, and sustained, and finally dissolves as consciousness, which is Soul/Self.  Since, there is no second thing other than the consciousness; the consciousness itself is ultimate truth or Brahman.  

Katha Upanishad says:-
Fools dwelling in darkness, but thinking themselves wise and erudite, go round and round, by various tortuous paths, like the blind led by the blind. [Ch II-5 P-14] [Upanishads Nikhilananda]

It indicates that the one who is ignorant [darkness] of the true self (formless witness or soul) searches truth by accumulating knowledge of every path and practice and uncertain about the truth, and thinks every path leads towards reality. The ignorance of the true self leads one towards unreality or hallucination.

 The Upanishad indicates that human goal is to acquire self-knowledge.

This Atman cannot be attained by the study of the Vedas, or by intelligence, or by much hearing of sacred books. It is attained by him alone whom It chooses. To such a one Atman reveals Its own form. [Katha Upanishad Ch-II -23-P-20]

This Atman cannot be attained through study of the Vedas, nor through intelligence, nor through much learning. He who chooses Ataman—by him alone is Ataman attained. It is Atman that reveals to the seeker Its true nature. [3 –page-70 Mundaka Upanishad. Upanishads by Nikilanada]

The above passages further prove that: self-knowledge cannot be attained by study of the Vedas and intellectual understanding or by bookish knowledge. Therefore there is no use of studying the Vedas and other scriptures in order to acquire the non-dual wisdom. That is why Buddha rejected the scriptures, and even Sri, Sankara indicated that, the truth lies beyond religion, concept of god and scriptures.

Same way all religions of the world and all philosophies of the world are based on the individuality/ego, find no answers for many questions. Truth seekers all over the world are trying to find answers for themselves, and they imagine and write articles and books of their ideas and others will read and blindly accept them as truth.

 There is no need to condemn any ones’ views and ideas or writing, but without being judgmental, seeker has to verify whether the author is speaking on the standpoint of ego, or whether he is speaking on the standpoint of soul/self.  If his views are based on the standpoint of the physical self/ ego, then there is many doubts and confusion. If his views are based on the soul as self then there is no confusion and doubts of any sort.   

Nothing has to be accepted without verifying the validity of any claim in pursuit of truth. Only un-contradictable truth has to be accepted as truth.  There is no need to condemn any religion or any saints or sages, but seeker has to think beyond religion, scriptures and individualized gods.   

The religious, yogic and worldly truths are individual truth based on the ego.  The spiritual truth is universal truth, which is based on the self/soul/spirit. The truth which is based on the soul/self is the ultimate truth/Brahman/Christ/Emptiness.  

The religion is based on the body [form] as self, since it is based on the birth. Spirituality is based on the soul [formless]. Thus there is need to bifurcate the religion from spirituality. Religion views and judges on the standpoint of the physical self/ego, whereas the in pursuit of truth everything is viewed, judged and concluded on the base of the soul, which is the true self.  Whatever is based on the physical entity is not spirituality because the soul has no form, so it has no religion.  Therefore, seeker of truth has to rectify the seeking base, from form to formless, to understand and assimilate the Self-Knowledge.    

Thus, viewing judging the ultimate truth on the base of ego/false self or accumulated knowledge will not unfold the mystery of the mind/diversity.  There is no need of religion, god glorification and scriptures in pursuit of truth, since the Soul/Self/Christ is doer and author of our dual and non-dual experiences.

Experience of diversity [form] becomes oneness in deep sleep and Oneness [formless] becomes diversity in waking or dream. Therefore, that which becomes diversity [form], and that which becomes Oneness [formless] is not our physical entity, because the physical entity is present only in waking and dream. The one, which is aware of all the three states, is formless, apart and eternal which is the soul. The soul, which is spirit itself, is ultimate truth/Christ/Brahman/Buddha.   

 To realize this truth one has to realize first “What is truth? and “What is untruth?” between the dual [waking/dream] and non-dual experiences.  Searching the truth on the base of inherited religious conditioning and accumulated bookish/scriptural knowledge is not the means to self/god /truth realization. 

For the same reason Raman Maharshi said fortunate are the one who do not lose themselves in the labyrinths of philosophy. Bhagwan says: Take Vedanta, for instance: it speaks of 15 pranas the names and functions of it   which the student is asked to commit memory. Will it not be sufficient if he thought only one prana does the whole work of maintaining the body? Again the antakaran is said to think, to desire, to will, to reason etc. Why all these details? Has anyone seen antakarana, or all these pranas? Do they really exist? They are conceptual divisions invented by teachers of philosophy by their excessive analysis. Where do all these concepts end? Why should confusion created and then explained away? Fortunate is the man who does not lose him self in the labyrinths of philosophy, but goes straight to the source from which they all arise. (GURU RAMANA .By S.S Cohen -vii Danger of philosophy-Page -58-59)

Seeker has to overcome all the obstacles in pursuit of truth on his own.  They are so many scholars who mastered philosophy.  It is impossible to acquire self-knowledge through theoretical philosophy. Because their preaching is based on spirit and practices is based on ego or waking entity.

Conciousness is ultimate truth or Brahman

If self is not form but formless than our judgment and reason and conclusion has to be based on the formless than only it is possible to acquire self –knowledge.  Since our judgment is based on the waking entity, which is the false self within the false experience, we end up with all sorts of doubts confusions. It takes a long time to rectify the reasoning a base subconsciously.  

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 universe observed and experienced.

The botanist viewing a flower will see it differently than nature lover viewing the same flower. Each one interprets the object that he sees in terms of his existing knowledge.   Gnani knows his body, ego and his experience of the world as consciousness. Whereas the meditator or yogi thinks he is experiencing the bliss because of his physical effort. When the waking experience itself is false hood whatever experienced on the base of waking entity is bound to be falsehood. 

A man of perfection is one who has realized the fact that, the true self is within the three states but it is without the three states.  And he has a firm conviction the true self is the formless substance and witness of the three states.  Thus your true identity is without the body and the universe and unaffected and witnesses the three states as passing show.  Thus when you become soul centric then your egocentric experience is mere mirage. Thus one becomes fully aware in the midst of duality the waking life is mere passing show.   A Gnani is fully aware of the fact that, the substance and witness of the mirage are one in essence and that essence is consciousness.   Thus there is no second thing exist other than consciousness. Other than consciousness all else is illusion.  Experience is possible only where there are two [duality]. Thus, where there is experience [duality] unity in diversity is impossible.  Therefore, only realization of truth is necessary to reach the experience- less [non duality] state.   Thus whatever experienced as a person within the waking experience [duality] is falsehood.  Thus it is necessary to realize the fact that, how the three states are falsehood and on what standpoint. 

Panchadashi:- The Atman is the witness-consciousness that experiences the action, the actor, and the world of separate things. It is like a light that illuminates everything in a theatre, revealing the master of ceremonies, the guests, and the dancers with complete impartiality. Even when they all depart, the light shines to reveal their absence.

In Self-Awareness there is no longer any meditative spiritual practice or ignorance or knowledge or activities of any kind, that which is the Supreme Reality - and with the firm conviction that self is formless consciousness there is unity in diversity. 

In Self-Awareness, when one is completely merged with consciousness ,self is free from  experiencing the duality as reality, the experience of birth, life, death and the world are  mere mirage created out of the self, which is consciousness.  One never thinks his -self to be a separate individual, becomes the formless self and with the conviction that his body and universe are one in essence. That essence is   consciousness.

Consciousness  is truly the Supreme Absolute Reality, the Supreme Formless God, the absolutely pure Being, the Supreme non-dual  State, Absolute Consciousness, the Supreme Truth - and with the conviction that  the consciousness is the inner most self and cause of experiencing the birth ,life and death  and it itself is birth less and deathless. 

Consciousness is, the Self-Effulgent, non-dual and undifferentiated one - and with the conviction that consciousness is the true self, it becomes free from experiencing the birth, life, death and the world as reality.

Consciousness is absolute Truth, eternal subject, absolutely attributeless, the Self, and the absolutely undifferentiated Supreme Being. And with the firm conviction that consciousness is the true self one becomes free from the sense of   the form, time and space.  

Consciousness is everything from the experiential point of view and nothing from the ultimate point of view; Consciousness-is always tranquil, with nothing separate from it. Consciousness is self-existent. And with the conviction that the self is formless consciousness brings unity in diversity. 

By constantly thinking and reflecting that, the self is the undifferentiated consciousness one can attain non-dual self-awareness. In self-awareness, one will never again experience the practical life within the practical world as reality. Thus the waking also becomes unreal by realizing the self is not waking entity but the self is the formless witness of the three states, which comes and goes in succession.  

By constantly thinking and reflecting of the undifferentiated consciousness and forgetting thereby all thoughts, including the thought of the consciousness, which is ultimate truth, one enters the self-awareness.