One must realize the difference between the 'I' and the Soul. The 'I' is the whole universe but Soul is the Self hidden by the 'I'.+*****

One must realize the difference between the 'I' and the Soul.  The 'I' is the whole universe but  Soul is the Self hidden by the 'I'.   

The ‘I’ is present in the form of the mind. The mind is present in the form of the universe. The universe appears as waking or dream. From the ultimate standpoint, the universe is a dualistic illusion. Whatever the universe contains is a mere illusion. The dualistic illusion is created, sustained and finally dissolves as the consciousness; therefore there is no second thing exists other than consciousness, which is the cause of the dualistic illusion. Thus, consciousness pervades in everything and everywhere in all three states. 

Limiting the Self to the ‘I’ is the cause of ignorance. Ignorance is the cause of duality. The Duality is the cause of experiencing the dualistic illusion as a reality. 

It is erroneous to identify the Soul the innermost ‘Self’ as 'I' or 'I AM' because the Soul the innermost ‘Self’ is not 'I' or I AM’. The Soul the innermost ‘Self’, is that witness of the 'I'.

To understand the false nature of the ‘I’, the ‘Self’-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is necessary. 

The ‘Self’ is not ‘I’, but the ‘Self’ is the Soul which is the witness of the ‘I’. Holding the ‘I as the ‘Self’ leads to hallucination based on the imagination.

Dualist Gurus could not distinguish between ‘I’ and ‘formless witness.’ They take the ‘I’ as the real self or the witness. Their highest is to say ‘I AM THAT’ without verifying ‘what is this ‘I suppose to be in actuality. They are so much attached to the 'I' that they do not want to think that 'I' an illusion created out of ‘’I-LESS stuff. Again one is unable to detach the ‘I’ from the Real witness, which is the Soul. The Soul is the innermost ‘Self’ is the ever formless, timeless and spaceless existence.  : ~ Santthosh Kumaar