The pursuit of the truth is to know the ultimate reality means to know the complete negating of all that is not this reality.+

The pursuit of the truth is to know the ultimate reality means to know the complete negating of all that is not this reality. Hence, one does not make an object of it. 

The notion of attaining Nirvikalpa Samadhi, complete blankness, non-seeing the world in which you exist, is not Advaitic wisdom. The world must be seen but known for what it is in actuality. 

Contradictions are inherent in ordinary knowledge because it is dualistic and causal-based. The possibilities of argument on both sides of a question are endless. One may say one thing and his opponent will say another. Each will have some ground for his statement.

Sage Goudpada's rational exposition of Advaita: ~ “Whatever is seen, whether external or internal, whether by the ordinary persons or yogis is unreal”.

Thus, whatever is seen, known, believed, and experienced as a person is a reality within the waking experience (duality) but the waking experience (duality) itself’ is merely an illusion.

To say the universe is an illusion without first examining it and inquiring into its nature thoroughly is to delude oneself. 

This world is common to every one of us; therefore, the seeker of truth must begin his inquiry with it. It is only after he has inquired into the nature of the objective world, that he realizes the universe which through ignorance appears as diverse forms is nothing else but the Soul which is present in the form of consciousness is absolutely free from all the limitations of human thought.

Those who assert the world is not an illusion because they are unaware of the fact that, the world is the reality within the illusion (waking). And they are frightened to consider the world as an illusion. Without considering the world as an illusion, it is impossible to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Sage  Sankara: ~ VC~.63 - "Without knowing and examining the external world, one can’t know the Truth, as the idea that the external world exists, won't go. It can go only by an inquiry into the nature of the external world.

After verifying through deeper inquiry if one finds the world is the reality within the illusion then he cannot again say the world is not an illusion.

If one is frightened to accept the world is an illusion (waking) then he is unfit to acquire ‘Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. 

Those who are stuck with the reality of the world are stuck with the reality of the individual experiences of birth, life, and death, which take place within the unreal world. Thus the pursuit of truth is for those who dare to accept reality as it is, that is the reality without form, time, and space.

When you finally realize the  Self is not you but the Self is the Soul then you will realize the world in which you exist is merely an illusion created out of the Soul. The Soul is present in the form of consciousness.

Remember: ~

All is consciousness. The whole universe is consciousness. From consciousness, the universe comes. When the universe disappears,  consciousness still remains without form, time, and space.

Sage  Sankara: ~ “VC~ All this universe which through ignorance appears as of diverse forms are nothing else but Brahman (Consciousness) which is absolutely free from all the limitations of human thought.

The universe is the product of ignorance. The ignorance is present in the form of the ‘I’.

Sage Sankara says: - VC-47-  All the effects of ignorance, root, and branch, are burnt down by the fire of knowledge, which arises from discrimination between these two—the Self and the non-self.

Till you think you are an individual separate from the world and the world existed prior to you and you are born in it afterward ignorance will prevail as a reality. Till ignorance is there the universe prevails as reality.

Sage Sankara says: ~ “The exercise in discrimination between real and unreal and renunciation of the false is real meditation, then why you are indulging in other types of meditation.

Perfect understanding and realization of ‘what is what’ leads to Self-awareness. By holding onto theories, one remains in the realm of duality. 

You have to mentally go on dropping what is not the truth through deeper Self-search. 

Finally, when you become aware of the fact that, your ego, your body, and the world are one in essence then there is Self-awareness in the midst of duality.: ~ Santthosh Kumaar