It is necessary for one to make sure, how 'I' is not the self? What is 'I', if "I' is not the self?

When waking entity  is not the author of the waking experience  itself then  the onus is on the profounder of the theory to prove the waking entity itself  is the self, to prove to themselves their theory holds good.

If they prove the waking entity  is the self, then there is no need to struggle to know the ultimate truth. One has to accept their theory and remain in duality(waking)  and experince it as reality, until it disappears on its own.

First one has to decide whether waking entity  is self and then only decide and pass opinion and judgment in this regard. The physical based theories hold good only on the false physical identity.

Duality and non duality are not theories. Dual and non dual are nature of the soul. One has to grasp, what becomes dual and non dual, in state of duality to acquire the Self -knowledge  or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. The duality will not vanish, but its  unreal nature is exposed.  The formless witness of the 'I' is the true self. Therefore It is necessary for one to make sure, how 'I' is not the self? What is 'I', if "I'  is not the self?

The dream becomes unreal, when waking takes place.Same way the waking becomes unreal when wisdom dawns.

Self knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is not to see the vanishing of duality, but to realize the unreal nature of the experience duality(mind or waking), in the midst of the experince of duality(waking). only  by realizing the the self is not  'I', but the self is formless soul. 

When the unreal nature of the experience of duality(waking)  is realized, one becomes aware of the fact that, the whole illusory experience of diversity(waking) , is created and sustained and finally dissolves as consciousness. Therefore there is no second thing other then consciousness. Thus the consciousness alone is real all else is mere illusion. 

Thus other then soul or consciousness, which is the innermost  self, everything else is illusion. When this conviction comes one gets the state of equanimity in the midst of duality.

Sankara was criticized for his views on Maya (illusion) without understanding him. He said that (1) Brahman (the Self) is real (2) the universe is unreal, and (3) Brahman is the universe. He did not stop at the second because the third explains the other two. It signifies that the universe is real if perceived as the ‘Self’ and unreal if perceived as apart from the Self. Hence Maya or illusion and reality are one and the same. 

The realists criticise the concept of illusion without understanding it. He said that

(1)Brahman ( soul or consciousness the innermost  Self) is real

 (2) The universe ( mind) is unreal, and

(3) Brahman (Consciousness) is  universe(mind) , because universe ( mind) is mere illusion created out of Brahman( consciousness).  

 One need not stop at the second because the third explains the other two. It signifies that the universe is real if perceived as the Self [consciousness] and unreal if perceived as apart from the Self [consciousness]. Hence illusion and reality are one and the same because both are one in essence. Realizing the essence, which is consciousness as the innermost Self, is Self-Realization or Truth- Realization of GOD- Realization. Thus Sri, Sankara‘s declaration is rational truth, scientific truth and also ultimate truth.

Sri, Sankara says in Viveka Chudamani:-


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.

66. Therefore the wise should, as in the case of disease and the like, personally strive by all the means in their power to be free from the bondage of repeated births and deaths.

The 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.

In self-awareness-- the witness and witnessed are one in essence. That essence is consciousness. There is no second thing exists other than consciousness.

Thus whatever seen, known, believed and experienced as a person is reality within the waking experience but waking experience itself is mere illusion.  

Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is the innermost self. 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 [waking or universe]?  The waking and the dream cease to exist without consciousness.  The seeker, seeking and his destination   all are one in essence.

There is only need to realize the whole universe in which we exist is created out of consciousness (soul or Atman), the innermost self.  On the standpoint innermost self, the universe is mere illusion created out of consciousness.  Thus on the ultimate standpoint no second thing exists other than consciousness. Thus consciousness is ultimate truth or Brahman.