All the three states are verily the consciousness.

Ego is well established as the subject of perception whereas the body is the object within the “mind” which appears as waking or dream. This is learnt from the fact that, when one speaks of his body within the universe. Man and the world exist within the waking or dream.” Thus the man cannot be the self, because the self, pervades everywhere and in everything in all the three states.

It is a fact of direct experience that the “self”, which is in the form consciousness, is without any change, whereas the waking or dream is always undergoing changes. Thus the physical entity, which is within the waking or dream, cannot be the self. The true self is that witnesses all the changes but it itself is changeless.

Seeker of truth has to ascertain the real nature of the true self through deeper inquiry, analysis and reasoning on the true base then only they become fully aware of the fact that, “There is nothing higher than consciousness.  Thus consciousness is ultimate truth or Brahman.

 All the three states are verily the consciousness. Thus this waking entity cannot be the self, because the waking entity is limited to the waking experience, whereas the consciousness pervades all the three states. 

Consciousness is completely unattached” from the universe, because it is not an entity or identity within the universe. Universe is mere mirage created out of consciousness.  All the forms and names within the mirage have no value from the ultimate standpoint.  Thus the division created by the forms and names are within the illusion. Absent of division there is unity in diversity. 

 Consciousness is within the universe but it is without the universe. It is within the universe as its the formless substance and witness.