It is not possible to separate the universe from the ‘I’ because ‘I’ itself is the universe. The universe ceases to exist without the ‘I’.+

First, realize that  ‘I’ is not limited to you. It is not possible to separate the universe from the ‘I’ because ‘I’ itself is the universe.  The universe ceases to exist without the ‘I’.

The ‘I’ is the whole universe.  The Soul is the Self, which is present in the form of consciousness. The universe hides the Soul, the Self

Self-realization is possible only when you realize the Self is not you but the Soul, which is hidden by the universe.

The universe is the dualistic illusion or Maya. The Soul, the Self revealed by negating the universe, which is the dualistic illusion or Maya, and realizing the Soul, the Self hidden by the universe the mystery of the universe is revealed.

The duality remains as reality remains only so long as we have not inquired into the nature of the universe. From the standpoint of the Soul, the Self, the universe is merely an illusion created out of the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.  

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

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.

Until you think you are an individual separate from the world and the world existed before 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

Sage Sankara: ~ VC~.63: "Without knowing and examining the universe, 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.

Perfect understanding and realization of ‘what is what’ leads to Self-awareness. By holding onto theories, one remains in the realm of duality. You must mentally go on dropping what is not the truth through deeper self-search.

Remember:~

Sage Goudpada: ~ To establish the truth of Nonduality by sheer reasoning alone. He begins by defining "What is real?" "What is unreal?" etc, because that is the right way to discuss or teach. People must first know what they are talking about. (Manduka Karika)

The Reasoning is interpretable in two ways. The egocentric interpretation is to apply it only to waking experience. The Soulcentric interpretation is to apply it to the three states. The latter leads to a final settlement of the problems because it takes all data into consideration.

If one has a belief, it is because somebody else believes it; or the majority believes it--or it is his own experience. Is it religious authority or religious sanction or is it based upon a feeling of certainty? They believe it merely because it works well or is true. If you ask the question of Truth, it becomes a question of philosophy. Does your belief rest upon Reason? Nearly all people want their own imagination, not the truth.

The inferior knowledge based on religion is not the means to Self-knowledge Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. Scriptural Revelation is, therefore, absolutely necessary for this hypothesis of cosmology, this Saguna or apara (inferior) Brahman, but not for the absolute truth or Nirguna Brahman.

The man who possesses the highest intellect can grasp Advaita, by merely hearing the truth mentioned will know it.

Sage  Sankara says you must first know what is before you. If you cannot know that, what else can you know or understand? If you give up the external world in your inquiry, you cannot get the whole truth.

You have to study the book of the universe carefully and find and realize God hidden in it.   All religions claim that their books are not man-made? Hindus claim that the Vedas are Aporsheya: not made by man but revealed by God himself; and Sanskrit is the divine language, not human. All religions have the same type of claim. Muslims say the Koran has descended from God, and so with Jews and Christians. Everybody is trying to claim that their book is the sacred book and nobody bothers to look at the real divine book.

This is what the real Veda, the real Koran, the real Bible is. This is the book, and all other books are man-made. Only this universe is the book that is authored by God, because, God is hidden by the universe. 

The universe is the real Veda, the real Koran, the real Bible.  The universe is the book, and all other books are man-made.

Only when you open the book of the universe the God hidden in the book will be revealed.  When you finish reading the book of the universe then the universe will become an illusion and God in truth alone prevails as the ultimate reality. :~Santthosh Kumaar