Pursuit of truth starts from inquiring “Who am ‘I’? but wisdom dawns only by knowing the mind, which is in the form of universe and the self ,which is in the form of consciousness.

Pursuit of truth starts from inquiring “Who am ‘I’?  but wisdom dawns only  by   knowing the mind, which is in the form of universe  and the self ,which is in the form of consciousness. Who am ‘I’ inquiry helps to unfold half-truth. To leave out one of these parts is to prevent attainment of non-dual wisdom.

"Who am I” is useful no doubt, it has certainly a value in its place, and gives some knowledge of self as the Witness, but what about the witnessed? The universe still faces us. It must also be looked at. If the universe is ignored, then "Who am I” cannot give the full truth. It is the yogic enquiry; not the spiritualistic; the latter deals with the whole of life whereas the former deals with a part only.

"Who am I" is dualistic, because there, is no person in the realm of truth but only in the illusion the ‘I’ exists. . It should be "What is “I”?"  To meditate on the formula “What am I?" can only yield the thought 'I'. I never cease even after long years of practice of “Who am I?” inquiry.  The question "Who am I” is an egocentric, not a soul-centric question. It is a based on the physical self. It is on a par with "What shall I be after death?" and "What shall I get if I do good deed in this life?" It is purely ego-cantered: it is an appeal to the interest in egoistic only. Only the soul-centric -minded can lift their thoughts above ego and inquire;-What is this mind?  "What is the universe?" “What is the substance of the mind? 

 All the experiences of the three states put together make the Atman[self], not merely the ego questioning itself ''Who am I.”

Meditation on the whole is the best meditation: meditation on the parts is only steps towards that.  The first thing that one sees is the world. The yogis and religionist disregard this in order to think of self because they are unaware of the fact that self is not the ‘I’.  They think ‘I’ is the true self and they continue their spiritual pursuit without verifying what ‘I’ is?.  The deeper inquiry analysis reveals the fact that, ‘I’ is not the self, but ‘I’ is mind and mind is the universe, which appears as whole waking experience of dream.  Thus, people who limit the ‘I’ to the physical entity or ego will never be able to reach their non-dual destination.

Those who jump at once to Atman disregarding the world are yogis or religionists, not seekers of truth.  If one don’t see the world, it does not mean he have wisdom. One who looks at objects alone, at the external world, he is wholly ignorant. But he who is able to witness his body and the world together without the physical apparatus is a Gnani. 

We have to analyse both mind and its source to get at truth. Two things are necessary in pursuit of truth:-

 (1) Knowledge of the object [mind or universe]

 (2) Knowledge of the subject [true self].

  When one begins inquiry he does it to please himself, not for truth; hence he asks "Who am I?" It is an elementary stage of discipline because ego-bound but aiming at loosening ego.  But one has to become aware of the fact that, the body, ego and universe appear together and they disappear together. Therefore just trying to get rid of the ego alone is impossibility. 

Those seekers who inquire “Who am I?" may succeed in finding the common factor in all ‘I’s, the I-ness but they have to come back afterwards to the world or duality. Their task is incomplete. They do not know the world also is consciousness.

"What is ‘I’? is " a spiritualistic  interrogation. What is the universe? What is mind? What is the whole? One becomes aware of the fact that ‘I’ is the mind and mind is the universe. After having examined deeply; one becomes aware of the fact that the universe is noting to with self that is the experience of birth, life and death has nothing to do with the self, which is in the form of consciousness. The self is the formless and   witness of the universe, which is in the form of ‘I’, which comes and goes as waking or dream.   The self is the one witness in all and are really ever free.  Therefore there is a need to become aware of the fact that ‘I’ is not the self but the formless substance and witness of the ‘I’ is the true self.

Seeker has to establish in the truth of Non-duality or Advaita by sheer reasoning alone

Mediocre minds waste their time on arguing about unimportant matters. Accumulation of scriptural knowledge is dangerous in pursuit of truth. Seeker has to establish in the truth of Non-duality  or Advaita by sheer reasoning alone. Seeker has to begin by defining "What is real?" "What is unreal?" etc, because that is the right way to discuss, understand and assimilate Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. Thus seeker has to remove all the hindrance in order to acquire Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. 

According to Advaita Vedanta, the Veda addresses itself to two kinds of audiences - the ordinary ones who desire the transitory heaven and other pleasures obtained as a result of ritual sacrifices, and the more advanced seeker who seeks to know Brahman. Thus, the purva mimam.sa, with its emphasis on the karma kanda of the Vedas, is meant for the first audience, to help lead its followers along the way. However, the Vedanta, with its emphasis on the Gnana kanda, is meant for those who wish to go beyond such transient pleasures.

An essential identity between Atman and Brahman is upheld in Advaita Vedanta. The personality of Sri, Sankara and the force of Advaita teaching is so strong that most post-Sankaran schools of Vedanta consciously define their doctrines against Advaita thought.

When Advaita declares Atman is Brahman then direct realization of truth is possible without the scriptures.  Know the soul to be the true self. And true self is in the form of consciousness and realize consciousness as ultimate truth or Brahman. 

Upanishad says:-

  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]

Mundaka Upanishad  :-

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 Atman attained. It is Atman that reveals to the seeker Its true nature.(3 –page-70 Mundaka Upanishad  Upanishads by Nikilanada)

When the Upanishads say:-

It is attained by him alone whom It chooses. To such a one Ataman reveals its own form.  Then what is the use of indulging through our intelligence or our accumulated knowledge, when one is not chosen by the self, which is the soul, which is in the form of consciousness.

There is no need for any philosophy in pursuit of truth because they take the seeker nearer to truth but they create more doubts and confusions.

 

The scriptures and theories and teaching based on the ego are not the yardstick. Using them as yardstick to understand and assimilate the truth will lead one towards pursuit of arguments. Seeker of truth has to discover on his own, the truth of his true existence by inquiring “what is mind?” and “what is substance of the mind?” and move forward.  

The universe is product of ignorance

What is the use of saying there is no ignorance without knowing man and his experience of the world are product of ignorance.  Thinking of mere blankness and speaking of non-duality with mere intellectual speculation and saying there is no ignorance, is not wisdom.  

 We exist as person within the world. The universe is product of ignorance. If there is no ignorance, than there is no universe. In self-awareness one is fully aware of his body, ego and the world   as mere illusion created out of consciousness. Thus there is oneness because everything is consciousness.   

What is the state of the ego or physical self when it has realized that the self is not the body? Such souls have attained their pristine condition. “Self” is not visible to the physical eyes. “Self” is not to be found in the world as a thing, entity or an object. Self is above these, has neither beginning nor ending.

The dream entity and the dream world are created out of consciousness and they are not different from it; similarly the waking world entity and waking world are also created out of consciousness.   When one knows that everything is consciousness than there is no need for yogic control of mind. Control presupposes second, a duality. Hence yoga is in the sphere of duality and is unnecessary to one who knows non-duality

Non dual wisdom requires investigate in to the mind, analyzing the mind, which is in the form of universe and universe appears as waking or dream.  One has to the fact that, the mind rises and subsides from formless source, which is soul or consciousness. The consciousness is the innermost self. Therefore, one has to learn to judge the truth from the standpoint of the source from where the mind rises and subsides, not from the standpoint of the waking entity, which is the false self within the false experience.

As one gets convinced, certain, of the truth that the world is nothing but consciousness, and there is no second thing, then he gets conviction that, all the three states to be consciousness in the midst of duality. Realizing the non-dualistic or Advaitic truth in the midst of duality is wisdom.

A visible object has a beginning and an ending. Since Atman, which is in the form of consciousness is invisible to the physical eye; Atman or consciousness is without beginning and ending. Atman is always constant. Just as space is homogeneous everywhere, so is the Atman the same everywhere. Only when ignorance vanishes through wisdom than from ultimate standpoint:-   

On the standpoint of the formless soul or consciousness, the innermost self:-  

"There is nothing to accept,
Nothing to reject,
Nothing to hold on to,
Nothing to let go of,
Nothing to grasp,
Nothing to spurn,
Nothing to embrace,
Nothing to relinquish,
Nothing to dissolve.

This is the truth.

-FORMLESS PATH

Without the matter mind ceases to exist as mind but it exists as matter- less awareness or consciousness

Without knowing what truth is, how can one know what is untruth? Mere bookish knowledge or knowledge based on speculation and assumption is mere playing with the words not non-dual wisdom. Intellectuality is   based on the false self thus it will not yield any fruits.   

How can one look on the conscious level when his body, ego and universe are an object to the formless soul or consciousness (subject), the innermost self.  Until one traces the formless substance and witness of the mind, which is in the form of universe, the non-dual wisdom will not dawn.

The lengthy explanation in depth is very much needed in pursuit of truth, which helps the seeker think and helps the seeker to divert his attention from form to formless.

The scriptures and theories and teaching based on the ego are not the yardstick. Using them as yardstick to understand and assimilate the truth will lead one towards pursuit of arguments. Seeker of truth has to discover on his own, the truth of his true existence by inquiring “what is mind?” and “what is substance of the mind?” and move forward.  

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 the ultimate truth. 

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 knows the mind (universe) is consciousness, and then there is no ignorance. If one knows consciousness as self then everything is consciousness, than  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.

Mind ceases to exist without the matter. Without the matter mind ceases to exist as mind but it exists as matter- less awareness or consciousness. Without the mind neither the world nor its perceiver can exist.

Without the matter there is no duality. Without duality there is no experience. Without experience it is non-dual reality. Therefore, whatever prevails without the mind is ultimate reality.

The true nature of the soul [consciousness] is camouflaged by the illusion/duality.  To know the truth one has to discover and realize the formless substance of the mind or illusion. One has to learn to view and judge the worldview on the standpoint the formless soul as self.   Self-Knowledge is the prime goal of the truth seeker. This goal is hidden within the mind as its invisible substance and witness. Therefore, it is necessary inquiry, analyze and reason in to the nature of mind/ duality/illusion in order to unfold the mystery of mind or duality or illusion.

Self –Awareness arises when wisdom dawns not by some practice

Self –Awareness arises when wisdom dawns not by some practice.  Wisdom dawns when ignorance vanishes through wisdom. Thus it is necessary to realize that fact that, the world confronts one is also consciousness. The whole universe is consciousness.  Unless the world is there in one’s realization, there is no Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana or Self-Knowledge. It is not enough to see a mere blankness in Samadhi. One has to realize the body, ego and the world as consciousness. The soul, the innermost self is free from ignorance not when one sees nothing at all, as waking entity in Yogic Samadhi but only when one see all this universe including his body and ego as  consciousness. Hence you must ask the question “What is this universe?” The attention must be drawn to the outer world to realize the form, time and space which are present in the form of universe are also made of single stuff, which is consciousness.  

This universe is common to all of us, therefore one must include the universe his investigation in order to realize the ultimate truth or Brahman.   It is only after one has inquired into the nature of the objective universe, that he should inquire into who is the knower. If, however one   inquiries into the knower before the inquiry into the universe, then it is mere mysticism.  One must have the perfect understanding of what is what. Self-awareness is impossible without Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.  

If you desire liberation, but you still say "mine," If you feel you are the body, You are not a wise man or a seeker.

  If you desire liberation, but you still say "mine," If you feel you are the body, You are not a wise man or a seeker. You are simply a man who suffers.

- Ashtavakra Gita 16:10

First thing spiritual pursuit is a very personal journey, thus it is not story or biography. It is mental [inner] journey of verification. Nothing has to be accepted as truth without verification.  Only un-contradictable truth has to be accepted as truth. This is possible only through inquiry, which makes one realize the self is not form but self is formless (consciousness).  Once one becomes aware of the fact that the self is not form but self is formless then the reasoning based has to rectify from form [ego] to formless [soul]. Without rectifying the reasoning base from form to formless, it is impossible to understand and assimilate and realize the non-dual truth.  

The inquiry revel the fact that, the self is neither the waking entity nor the dream entity but the self is the formless soul, which witness the coming and going of the three states. Therefore, what is the use of seeking truth on the base of false self? Therefore, it is necessary to make sure of the fact that neither the waking entity nor the dream entity is the self.

All the doubts and confusion prevail because of the egocentricity outlook.  Seeker has to be soul centric to realize the non-dual truth.

Only serious seeker will think deeply because he is not at sure that his physical existence [body +universe] is illusion. Only when he inquires and becomes aware of the fact that the “I” [mind] is not self but the “I-LESS” (formless soul or consciousness). Thus his understanding has to be based on the “I-LESS” not on the “I” (mind or universe),which is false self (ego or waking entity)within the false experience(waking).  When “I” is not self,  but “I-LESS” than whatever seen, known , believed and experienced on the base of ‘I’ as self is bound to be falsehood on the standpoint of “I-LESS” as self.    Thus it is necessary to realize the fact that, the self is not physical but self is formless to realize the mind, which is in the form of universe is myth.   

To understand and assimilate Sri, Sankara’s Advaitic truth, seeker has to do his own home work through deeper self-search.

If  the self is neither the body nor the ego, neither the waking entity not the dream entity, then how the karma based on the false self within the false experience  can yield fruits.  Therefore, karma is a religious fable.

The karma theory is reality only for those who believe their present physical identity (waking entity or ego) as real, and world as reality. When the Sri, Sankara declares the world itself is illusion, and Brahman is real, then what value the karma theory has when the world is illusion, because man is part and parcel of the illusory world. Therefore, one has to view and judge the worldview on the standpoint of Brahman (Atman or soul, the innermost self) in order to overcome the duality, which he is experiencing it as reality.  The individuality is reality within the illusory world. Therefore, all the theories created within the illusion on the base of false entity, within the false experience, has to be the part and parcel of the illusion.  Thus it is necessary to realize the fact that Atman is the true self and all else is illusion, to overcome the illusory concept of cycle of birth, life and death.   

 To understand and assimilate Sri, Sankara’s Advaitic truth, seeker  has to  do his own home work through deeper self-search.  seeker should avoid   mixing religion, scriptures, theories  concept of god and yoga.

Sri Sankara says in Aparokshanubhuti:-

   88. When the whole universe, movable and immovable, is known to be Atman, and thus the existence of everything else is negated, where is then any room to say that the body is Atman?

   89. O enlightened one, pass your time always contemplating on Atman while you are experiencing all the results of Prarabdha; for it ill becomes you to feel distressed.

   90. The theory one hears of from the scripture, that Prarabdha does not lose its hold upon one even after the origination of the knowledge of Atman, is now being refuted.

   91. After the origination of the knowledge of Reality, Prarabdha verily ceases to exist, inasmuch as the body and the like become non-existent; just as a dream does not exist on waking.

   92. That Karma which is done in a previous life is known as Prarabdha (which produces the present life). But such Karma cannot take the place of Prarabdha (for a man of knowledge), as he has no other birth (being free from ego).

   93. Just as the body in a dream is superimposed (and therefore illusory), so is also this body. How could there be any birth of the superimposed (body), and in the absence of birth (of the body) where is the room for that (i.e., Prarabdha) at all ?

   94. The Vedanta texts declare ignorance to be verily the material (cause) of the phenomenal world just as earth is of a jar. That (ignorance) being destroyed, where can the universe subsist ?

   95. Just as a person out of confusion perceives only the snake leaving aside the rope, so does an ignorant person see only the phenomenal world without knowing the reality?

   96. The real nature of the rope being known, the appearance of the snake no longer persists; so the substratum being known, the phenomenal world disappears completely.

   97. The body also being within the phenomenal world (and therefore unreal), how could Prarabdha exist ? It is, therefore, for the understanding of the ignorant alone that the Shruti speaks of Prarabdha.

   98. “And all the actions of a man perish when he realizes that (Atman) which is both the higher and the lower”. Here the clear use of the plural by the Shruti is to negate Prarabdha as well.

   99. If the ignorant still arbitrarily maintain this, they will not only involve themselves into two absurdities but will also run the risk of forgoing the Vedantic conclusion. So one should accept those Shrutis alone from which proceeds true knowledge.

The above proves that the karma is reality only on the base of false self, where one thinks body and the universes as reality. When one becomes aware of the fact that, the true self is formless soul, then the karma becomes part and parcel of illusion.   My point is that, if one accepts the karma theory as reality, he will never be able to come out of the ignorance. And ignorance makes him believe the cycle of birth, life and death as reality.  Thus the freedom which one is seeking will remain distant dream. For the one who accepts the birth life and death as reality, Self-knowledge is impossible.