On physical plan there is seeker, seeking and destination but from ultimate standpoint there is neither seeker , seeking and or destination.

Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is the destroyer of ignorance.  The self is the inner guru, god, the all-pervading principle and the cause of all three states.

In self –awareness there is neither the division into castes and creed, nor the orthodox code of conduct and duties of the various apply to the formless soul, the innermost self. The sense of ‘I’ and ‘mine’ which are due to identification with waking entity or ego, but the soul, the innermost self,   remain free from all attributes”.

In deep sleep there is no mother, nor father, nor gods, nor religion, because the universe in man exists itself is absent. Nor is there total void, since soul or consciousness exists free from all physical attributes”.

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  of the formless soul or 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 reality of his true existence. 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 seeker , seeking and or destination because the seeker,seeking and the destination are one in essence. that essence is consciousness, the innermost self.   

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.

Upanishads clearly declare:-

Katha Upanishad 1:2:23 The Soul cannot be realized through hearing scholarly explanation of the discourses, not even by the intellect.

Katha Upanishad 1:3:6 “Through the knowledge of the Soul, God, one is pure and clean constantly.” Neither by reading the book, nor by taking a bath at holy place has one become pure. Inner purity is possible when one remains in constant touch with the Soul. Constant Soul-Consciousness is the real purity.

Kena Upanishad 2:4 When it is known through every state of cognition, it is rightly known, for (by such knowledge) one attains life eternal. Through one's own self one gains power and through wisdom one gains immortality.

Kena Upanishad 2:5

If here one knows it, then there is truth, and if here one knows it not, there is a great loss. Hence, seeing the Real in all beings, wise men become immortal on departing from this world.

Mundaka Upanishad 1:2:8

“Remaining in the fold of ignorance and thinking “we are extremely wise and learned,” the fools with boastful nature ramble about like the blind led by the blind alone.”

Mundaka Upanishad 3:2:3

“The weak and timid cannot realize the Self. Self-Realization is not possible through intellect or hearing spiritual discourse. One who welcomes God in every activity, through a thorough controlled and disciplined life, to him also the Soul is revealed."

Mundaka Upanishad 3:2:3

The Soul cannot be realized by the weak and timid.

The ignorant thinks that, the self is the waking entity (ego) and perceives the world without being aware of the fact that, the three states are mere illusory experience created out of consciousness. Thus they try to judge the truth on the false entity(waking entity or ego)  within the false experience(waking). Until one makes sure of the true self, it is erroneous to judge and conclude the ultimate truth on mere intellectualism.  Thus one has to make sure of the fact that,    the self is neither the waking entity nor self is  the dream entity but the self is formless soul or consciousness, which witnesses the coming and going of the three states without the physical apparatus.

A Gnani has firm conviction that, the “Self” is definitely neither the waking entity nor the dream entity because the waking and dream both are illusory.  The true self is formless soul or   consciousness. Consciousness is    the existence and knowledge.

Illusion’s "concealing power" merely means that when one looks at an ice block he thinks only of the ice block. But a Gnani will think of the substance of the ice block too.   That is a wise man has the knowledge of the substance plus of the ice block. Similarly a Gnani has the knowledge of the universe and its formless substance also. The consciousness is concealed because of ignorance. As a man one is not aware of the fact that, his body, ego and his experience of the world are mere mirage created out of consciousness. When one becomes aware of the fact that, the universe is mirage then there is no body no ego and no world than there is only the formless soul or   consciousness, which is the innermost self.  

Non-duality is seekers destination when all contradictions are dissolved the truth will start revealing on its own

One seeks truth in the Realm of duality. Non-duality is seekers destination when all contradictions are dissolved the truth will start revealing on its own.  Consciousness is always present in all the three states. In deep sleep, it is conscious of itself, when it is not conscious of itself it witnesses the waking or dream. Until one thinks on the base of birth entity he will not be able to understand and assimilate Self- knowledge because he has accepted the birth entity as self. On the base of birth entity the universe is reality.  When universe is accepted as reality one has accepted the illusion as reality. Once one accepts the universe as reality then he has accepted the birth, life and death as reality.  If one accepts the birth, life, death and world as reality he accepts his burden and bondage within the illusory duality as reality.  

The duality is reality on the standpoint of the false self (ego or waking entity as self).  The duality is mere mirage on the base of the true self, which is formless consciousness. This understanding comes only to the serious seeker, who has real urge to know the ultimate truth, which is beyond the all the teachings and teachers. There is neither teaching, nor teacher, nor student in the realm of truth.  

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 — Alatasanti Prakarana 95-P-188 in Upanishads by Nikilanada]

This passage indicates the fact that everything is Atman or consciousness or spirit. The one who views and judges the worldview on the base of his birth (body) will not realize the fact that, the man including the world is created sustained and finally dissolves as Atman. Thus Atman alone is, and all else is mirage.

Thus Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana  is the aim of every human being. Since everyone thinks the physical body is the self, their aim is misdirected and they focus their attention on materiality which makes one feel the duality (waking) as reality.

Millions are in search of the ultimate truth, and only one in million will be able to grasp and realize it. By focusing more attention on Atman or soul, the innermost self by constantly reflecting on Atman or soul, the conviction grows and becomes firmer and the duality will fade away as reality. Atman or soul or consciousness, which is one’s true identity, will prevail as birth-less and deathless, eternal substance and witness of the mirage called duality.

The moment one realizes the mind (universe) is consciousness, and then there is no ignorance

 Seekers main aim is to investigate both dual and non-dual experiences to find and define the underlying truth in everything, thereby realizing what the ultimate truth  or Brahman is.  Because of so many beliefs propagated by belief system, people think seekers of truth are   atheists because they do not accept the belief blindly. Seekers of truth believe the religionist and atheists both are believers because religionist believe in the belief of god and atheists believe in belief of no god.  

Pursuit of truth is all about accepting uncertainty and open questions and seeking for the things that are certainty. Believers and nonbelievers   will not accept anything other than their inherited belief system or accepted truth.  Atheists feel there is no proof for god’s existence. So atheist chooses to just believe there is no such thing called God. And religionists just believe in the existence of their conceptual god. 

All the FP and IP blogs are verified truth derived from deeper self-search. If one goes on reading all his doubts and confusion will start clearing. It takes time to receptive to Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana because it is soul-centric knowledge whereas all accumulated knowledge are egocentric.

All accumulated knowledge is of no use in path of wisdom. Without realizing “What is truth it is impossible to realize “What is untruth?” Without realizing what is truth and what is untruth it is impossible to assimilate the Self –Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. Thus one must know with full and firm conviction what truth is.

The wisdom consists in knowing the truth, that everything (mind or physical existence) is consciousness. Freedom (ultimate truth) is always there yet one does not know it.  But to those whose reason is turned away from physicality and who have attained the serenity of the soul or consciousness, the innermost self, are quite near to realizing the ultimate truth or Brahman. 

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 realizes  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.

Kabir views humanity as being caught up in illusion, searching for Ultimate Reality in all the wrong places, always seeking It outside of ourselves in various rituals, temples, forests and mountaintops, not realizing That for which we seek is already hidden within us. 

The ultimate truth or Brahman dwells within the three states like fragrance in the flower; Musk lies within the Musk-deer yet seeks it afar." Until one trace the truth within the three states the illusion of birth, life, death and the world is experienced as reality.  

Buddha said: - Believe nothing because a wise man said it,

If the reasoning  base is not rectified than  it will lead one towards hallucination. When the mind itself is myth then the man and his experience of the world is bound to be myth. Therefore, perfect understanding of 'What is  mind' and What is substance of the mind' and 'What is the source of the mind'  will help one to unfold the mystery of the mind.

  It is impossible to unfold the truth on the base of false self within the false experience, because the truth is prior to the appearance of the falsehood.  And falsehood creates ignorance.

 Seeker has to burn down the ignorance by rectifying the base of reasoning by realizing the fact that self is not physical but it is the formless consciousness. 



Holding  ‘I’ or  ‘I AM’  is cause of the ignorance. Thus one has to get rid of the ignorance by overcoming the intoxication of ‘I’ or I AM' by realizing  'I' or 'I AM is not the self.  

Holding 'I' or 'I AM as self keeps one in physical prison. Thus deeper self-search is necessary in order to reach the ultimate end.

That is why Buddha said: -
 
Believe nothing because a wise man said it,
Believe nothing because it is generally held.
Believe nothing because it is written.
Believe nothing because it is said to be divine.
Believe nothing because someone else said it.
But believe only what you yourself judge to be true.
-Buddha

Thus accepting anything without deeper verification will not lead one to ultimate end. of understanding  Seeker of truth read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider and discover the truth by using soul-centric reason.  The greatest and noblest pleasure which seeker can have is to discover new truths; and drop old prejudices and accumulated knowledge.

The whole objective  universe is created out of consciousness.  In self-awareness the universe ceases to exist.  Nature of the innermost self is formless and  non-dual.  In self-awareness the ignorance disappears therefore the reality of the illusory universe ceases.  Consciousness is ultimate truth or Brahman. Soul or consciousness, the innermost self is the nameless, contentless, effortless and spontaneous existence, beyond form, time and space. 

The self is not ‘I’ but ‘I’ is mind.  Mind is in the form of universe. Universe appears as waking or dream and disappears as deep sleep.  The ‘I’, which appears as mind or universe is impermanent. The self is ‘I’-less. ‘I’-less self is that witnesses the coming and going of the ‘I’.    If one holds ‘I’ as self he will never be able to cross the threshold of duality. Without crossing the threshold of duality it is impossible to realize the non-dualistic or Advaitic  truth.  Holding the ‘I’ as self is keeps one in the realm of ignorance.   Therefore, Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is necessary to get rid of the ignorance.  

The formless  witness  is that witnesses the coming and going of the three states. This truth has to be grasped mentally to realize the existence of the formless witness. Once this truth is grasped mentally, then one has to cling to the formless witness. Once one clings to this formless witness mentally than the subconscious has the yardstick to accept the truth and reject the untruth. Thus deeper self-search is necessary to understand, assimilate to have firm conviction of what is what in order to get Self-Awareness. 

We have to grow from the inside out. None can teach us, none can make us spiritual. There is no other guru but our own soul.”

Self-knowledge or Atma Gnana or Brahma Gnana cannot be attained by one who is without strength or earnestness or without the receptiveness and courage to accept the truth and reject the untruth. If a serious seeker strives sincerely by means of inquiry, analysis and soul-centric reasoning, he will be able to realize it.

It is only seekers sincerity and earnestness in his spiritual pursuit, the knowledge started revealing on its own.  Anyone who has humility and patience and is sincere and ready to drop their accumulated dross and receptive to accept the truth will enter non-dual Self-Awareness when his conviction becomes firm.

Individual cannot claim that he has experienced the whole.

Is that the Guru you have heard about. Is he a real Gnani or a fake. But they do not charge money of any sort and all videos and books are free. They do not want devotees and you can keep your religions.

Dear Trevor,

If anyone expounds knowledge free of cost by giving free lectures and distributing books and CD it does not mean that he is  Gnani  who  is expounding Gnana or  wisdom. Thus his noble actions are not yardstick to decide 'what truth' is and 'what is untruth'. Even christen missionaries all over the world distribute free literature, medicine and food but it is only noble deed  to help the humanity in practical world but they are not qualification for acquiring Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.    

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.

Seeker of truth read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider and discover the truth by using soul-centric reason.  The greatest and noblest pleasure which seeker can have is to discover new truths; and drop old prejudices and accumulated knowledge.

To understand and assimilate one needs spiritual language of silence; one must speak from the standpoint of the consciousness which the language of the soul – which is humility, intense urge of inner growth, listening and without arguing on some theoretical or some authority or some famous men‘s point of view. 

Individual truth is not universal truth.  Individual cannot claim that he has experienced the whole.  There is no proof he has seen it, because the whole is not individual experience. The man and the world are within the whole.  Thus such claims of experiencing the self or Atman is mere hallucination.

People think they taken diksh or initiation and they are practiced under some guru or yogi   and they are experiencing the bliss and now they are capable of transforming that bliss to others and they start hallucinating that what they experienced as bliss is reality without realizing the fact that their own existence within the universe is mere illusion because the universe is mere illusion from ultimate standpoint.  It is very difficult for those who are caught up in the understanding based on the false self to realize the fact that, whatever they have experienced as bliss   is mere hallucination because the ultimate truth or Brahman cannot be experienced because the self is not an individual because it is formless and it is not and entity or identity within the waking or dream.

How do the people who expound their knowledge know they have experienced the whole? Where is the proof they have seen it? When they say “I know from experience” they merely mean “I think so.” If they experience bliss, they cannot be egoless, for who is having the joy? And if they retain the ego they cannot know the Universal Brahman, the whole. Thus their individual experience is not derived from Gnana or Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.  

Without knowing the nature of the mind or universe world, it is impossible to know the ultimate truth. What is the use of trying to find one’s inner self before he understands the mind or universe?  Thus it is necessary to investigate the truth about the world, which confronts him to realize this world which confronts him as being consciousness.

That is why Sri, Sankara says in VivekaChudamani   

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.

 

Whatever have appeared (birth, life, death and world) has appeared on its own and it disappears on its own.  Whether a person takes it as reality or illusion it all depends on his mental and intellectual conditions will determine the phenomenal world observed and experienced. The look of an object will depend upon the medium through which the observer views it. A Gnani viewing the universe (practical life within the practical world) different from the ignorant is viewing the same universe (practical life within the practical world). Each one of them interprets the universe he sees in term of his existing knowledge.   The Gnani sees his body, his ego and his experience of the world as mere mirage created out of consciousness whereas the ignorant sees his body as body, his ego as ego and his experience of the world as world.  

Thus experiencing the pain and pleasure within the 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 the innermost Self.  Since, there is no second thing other than the consciousness (soul); the consciousness itself is ultimate truth or Brahman.   The one who has realized this truth for him this illusion is passing show because he is fully aware of the fact that his body, his ego and his experience of the world to be consciousness. Practical peoples approach is more practical, and they are stuck with the reality of the practical life within the practical world, they take it as real whereas for Gnani has the firm conviction that:- 

Formless soul or Consciousness is the witness 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.

What is not consciousness (formless) in the experience of diversity (universe or waking)?  The waking and the dream cease to exist without consciousness.  The seeker, seeking and his destination   all are one in essence.

By becoming more and more intellectual one becomes more and more intoxicated to individuality. The intellectuality is limited to duality.  In realm of truth the intellectuality is replaced by non-dual wisdom.  There is nothing exist other than formless non dual existence. Therefore, there is   no individual to become sane or insane. There is no second thing exists, other than consciousness.  Everything is one, that is, unity in diversity. The curiosity, urge cannot be imposed on others.  It has to sprout within. One need not become a guru because the guru is within guides every seeker.

 If one is aiming to be a master, a Guru or a  teacher, he will never reach his non-dulistic  destination. One has to share his knowledge with the fellow seeker not to make them his followers but only direct them if they are interested to travel beyond form, time and space.

 It is foolish to impose our idea on others because everyone is not in same level of understanding.  Every one's inner work is on. When they are ripe enough they will understand, assimilate and realize on their own.  If they are ready and sharp enough they will grasp it instantly and they will reach their destination with lesser time and effort. Thus preaching, teaching is not wisdom, but by very careful reasoning, seeker has to determine the nature of reality. Thinking in right direction alone helps seeker determining the nature of reality.