Inner longing to know the truth, sharpness to grasp and courage to accept the truth leads one to Self-awareness.+

As we keep digging deeper and deeper, the truth will shine as pure awareness in the midst of the duality (waking).

The Soul, the Self is our ultimate teacher. It is only our inner teacher that will walk with us to the goal, for the soul is the goal. Millions are searching for truth but one in million will realize it.

Deliberate daily exercise in discrimination between real and unreal and renunciation of the false is real renunciation. 

Truth is One; It is called by different names. All people are seeking the same Truth... Everyone is going toward the ultimate goal. They will all realize the ultimate truth or Brahman if they have sincerity and longing to realize it.

Bhagavan Buddha: ~It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell. 

Inner longing to know the truth, sharpness to grasp, and courage to accept the truth leads one to Self-awareness. 

People are immersed in ignorance, remain to experience the illusion as a reality, and do not exert themselves to know the reality of their true existence.  By clinging to things unreal they think of their experience of birth, life, death, and the world as reality. 

 By quoting the Scriptures and sacrifice to the gods, by performing rituals and worshiping the deities, but there is no freedom without the realization of one’s identity with the soul or consciousness, which is the real Self.

There is no hope of immortality through riches.  Action or inaction cannot be the cause of freedom because inaction also is action and action and inaction are part of the duality. 

People think by using lesser words or by observing silence the truth emerges on its own, but they keep hoping and remain in the prison of duality.

Seeker of truth has to strive his best for freedom from experiencing the illusion as reality and fix his attention on the formless substance and witness of the three states. The formless substance and witness are one in essence. That essence is consciousness. The consciousness alone is real and eternal, and it is the source of the mind, which rises as the universe and subsides back as consciousness.

Having grasped, understood the ultimate truth intellectually, one should recover oneself, immersed in the illusory experience of the ocean of birth, life, death, and the world through devotion to the right discrimination.

Seeker of truth, having commenced the path of the Self- realization has to give up all physical-based theoretical practices and try to realize the fact that, the waking experience in which the individual experiences birth, life, death, and the world as reality is also is as unreal as the dream. 

By realizing the formless substance and witness of the three states as consciousness one becomes free from experiencing the duality as reality.

Blinded with the illusion very few grasp the non-dualistic or Advaitic truth. Only a few escape from the web of illusion, only a few will be able to acquire nondualistic or Advaitic wisdom.

The non-duality has to be grasped in the midst of the waking experience (duality or mind or universe).  That is, being aware of the truth and untruth, reality and unreality. And able to establish himself in the truth and able to view and judge, the three states, on the base of the soul, which is ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth.

It is unfortunate people are stuck with their accumulated ideas based on the false self, and imagine nonduality and say nothing exists other than the source. But a Gnani says everything exists (illusion) but everything is created out of the Soul or consciousness.  Everything rises from the Soul and subsides as the Soul (spirit or consciousness). Thus, the whole diversity has no relevance, on the standpoint of the Soul as the Self.

Everything (illusion or matter) is nothingness (spirit or consciousness) realizing the three states are created out of nothingness? Nothingness is the nature of the Soul because there is no second thing that exists other than the Soul, the Self.   Thus, consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman.: ~Santthosh Kumaar

It is not necessary to study the Vedas or the Bhagavad Gita, Dasopanishad and Brahma Sutras to attain Self- realization.+

Ashtavakra: ~ “My child you may speak upon various scriptures or hear the sermons on the scriptures. But you cannot establish in the ‘Self’ unless you forget all. 16-1 – p49 

Sage Sankara says - VC-162- There is no liberation for a person of mere book-knowledge, howsoever well-read in the philosophy of Vedanta, so long as one does not give up the false identification with the body, sense organs, etc., which are unreal.

Remember:~

 The man has many scriptures, but none compare to the Gita,of Ashtavakra. Before it the Vedas pale, and the Upanishads speak with a weak voice. Even the Bhagavad Gita does not have the majesty found in the Ashtavakra Samhita -- it is simply unparalleled. 

The most important thing is that neither society nor politics nor any other institution of human life has had any influence on the sayings of Ashtavakra. They are such a pure expression -- transcending emotion, transcending time and death -- there is nothing comparable. Perhaps this is why Ashtavakra Gita, the Ashtavakra Samhita, has not had much impact. 

Maha Gita:~Krishna's Gita is a hodgepodge containing everything; hence, it suits everyone, because there is something in it for everyone. It is difficult to find any tradition whose voice is not found in the Gita. It is difficult to find anyone who does not take solace from the Gita. But for such people, Ashtavakra Gita will prove very difficult. :  (OSHO) 

Is not necessary to study the Vedas or the Bhagavad Gita, Dasopanishad, and Brahma Sutras to attain Self- realization.

All intellectual accumulated knowledge is not useful to attain Self- realization, all that is not necessary. You want fresh water to drink, but you do not require all the water of the lake to quench your thirst. the path of wisdom is an independent path nothing to with the religion and scriptures. 

Sage Sankara says: ~ VC- 59- The study of the Scriptures is useless so long as the highest Truth is unknown, and it is equally useless when the highest Truth has already been known.

Sage Sankara indicates that scriptural studies are useless in the pursuit of truth.  Then why seekers of truth must indulge in scriptural studies and waste their precious time and life.   

Even   Upanishads also confirm this: ~

Katha Upanishad: ~ This Atman cannot be attained by the study of the Vedas, or by intelligence, nor by much hearing of sacred books. It is attained by him alone whom It chooses. To such a one Atman reveals Its own form. (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 Manduka Upanishad. Upanishads by Nikilanada)

The scriptures indicate that Atman is Brahman, and Brahman is the ultimate truth. Therefore, the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is the ultimate truth. Thus, realizing the ultimate truth is the prime goal.   A well-directed inquiry, analysis, and reasoning will lead one to the nondual destination. 

Self-Realization is a direct realization of the ultimate truth or real god, in contrast with traditional paths, which are indirect. And the other paths cannot lead to the ultimate destination because they are based on the false self, which they hold as the real Self, and false experience as reality.   

Seeker of truth has to get rid of his doubts through deeper self-search on his own, to realize the fact that, the self is not the form but the Self is formless. Thus, his analysis and reasoning have to be based on the formless, not on the form.  Simply going on believing and accepting whatever is said by the punditry will not lead one towards the path of wisdom. 

All the doubt has to be got rid of "by the sword of Self - Knowledge."  The scriptures and yoga is not necessary if one follows the inner (mental) path.  Religion and yoga are not the means to the path of wisdom.  

Then it is no use going a roundabout way, trace the Brahman which is the formless substance and witness of the universe, which is in the form of the mind.  By tracing the source of the mind or universe one will be able to realize the Brahman.  

Thus, self-knowledge is meant only for those who have an intense urge, and courage to accept the truth with humility and reject the untruth. Since people start comparing their scriptural knowledge, it becomes impossible to assimilate and realize the non-dual truth.   Therefore, there is no need to convince anyone other than our own selves to get a firm conviction. 

Advaitic wisdom is that which liberates one from experiencing the illusion (waking) as reality-- this is the criterion of truth. Pundits don't appear to be liberated; they look enslaved. They talk about liberation,  but they don't look free. They seem to be bound with a thousand fetters.

 
The orthodox people are more enslaved than others because they live in a self-imposed prison. A householder may have a little freedom, but the gurus, yogis saints are more stuck with their own idea of truth than others. Orthodoxies are just blind followers of tradition. They cannot move freely, they cannot sit freely, and they cannot live freely. 

Many people pretend they are self-realized just by being orthodox one cannot get liberation.  Because the yogi practices Samadhi he will not get liberated. Everyone has their own idea of liberation. 

The most important thing is that neither society nor politics nor any religion have anything to do with the ultimate truth or Brahman. Self –Knowledge helps the seeker transcend emotion, transcending form, time, and space. Perhaps this is why the pursuit of truth, has not had much impact. 

There is no wisdom whatsoever in this. Scriptures are just a collection of words. Thus, wisdom is not found in the scriptures. Wisdom is within oneself. The truth is not found in words.  the Truth is hidden by the 'I'. 

The scriptures are filled just with information. By accumulating information one cannot attain wisdom.  No matter how much one knows, wisdom is not attained. One can go on gathering more and more knowledge, learn the scriptures by heart, become parrots, memorize each and every sutra or stanza, and let the complete Vedas be imprinted in his memory -- but still, the wisdom will not dawn. 

People think that mastering scriptural knowledge is wisdom.  Pundits and religious gurus call scriptural knowledge wisdom. Scriptural knowledge binds one instead thus it is not liberation.  Wisdom is that which liberates one from experiencing the duality as reality.

That is why Sage Sankara, indicated in Bhaja Govindam says ~ (Jnana Viheena Sarva Mathena Bajathi na Muktim janma Shatena) - one without knowledge does not obtain liberation even in a hundred births, no matter which religious faith, he follows. 

Sage Sankara says: ~ VC~58. Loud speech consisting of a shower of words, the skill in expounding the Scriptures, and likewise erudition - these merely bring on a little personal enjoyment to the scholar but are no good for Liberation.

 59. The study of the Scriptures is useless so long as the highest Truth is unknown, and it is equally useless when the highest Truth has already been known.

60. The Scriptures consisting of many words are a dense forest that merely causes the mind to ramble. Hence, men of wisdom should earnestly set about knowing the true nature of the Self.

61. For one who has been bitten by the serpent of Ignorance, the only remedy is the knowledge of Brahman. Of what avail are the Vedas and (other) Scriptures, Mantras (sacred formulae), and medicines to such a one?

62. A disease does not leave off if one simply utters the name of the medicine, without taking it; (similarly) without direct realization one cannot be liberated by the mere utterance of the word Brahman.

 63. Without causing the objective universe to vanish and without knowing the truth of the Self, how is one to achieve Liberation by the mere utterance of the word Brahman? — It would result merely in an effort of speech.

64. Without killing one’s enemies, and possessing oneself of the splendor of the entire surrounding region, one cannot claim to be an emperor by merely saying, ‘I am an emperor’.

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.

Sage Sankara clearly indicated that: - yoga, intellectualism, and scriptural mastery is not the means to self-knowledge.  But by the realization of one's identity with consciousness, which is the ultimate truth or Brahman, freedom from experiencing the illusion as reality is possible, and by no other means. 

In the olden days, men were primitive in their thought so a man having little knowledge was considered a genius. Nowadays our knowledge is so advanced that the genius of those days would be an ordinary man of today. 

If one finds the truth, free the Self from the tyranny of environment and tradition, not by condemning them but by examining and testing them by deeper self-search o find out whether they be true or not. Accept nothing on the authority of a Godman or genius of the past or present but only if it proves true after the examination.

Like-minded people are always willing to examine facts and judge them calmly whereas religious scholars and intellectuals will be immune to all facts and hold hard to their delusions. Such people do not want the truth but only what pleases them. This is because of their egocentric attitude.  Their attitude is “What pleases them is the truth, what they dislike is false.:~Santthosh Kumaar 

Consciousness is absolute without a second.+

Consciousness is absolute without a second. The Soul is not an individual. The Soul is present in the form of consciousness. The Soul is a formless, timeless, and spaceless existence. 

The Soul is the cause of the universe that contains the whole of humanity. Thus, limiting the Soul to an individual is erroneous.

Sage Sankara asks his opponents "How do you know there are separate individual Souls? Have you seen the Soul of a man? You can only say that you have seen different bodies. To say more is to misuse language. Therefore, I call you liars unless you give proof, which is impossible.

The Soul, the ‘Self’ is in the form of consciousness without the division of form, time, and space. The form, time, and space are merely an illusion created out of consciousness. The Soul, the ‘Self’, is the fullness of consciousness. In the cloud there is nothing other than the water, so too consciousness is nothing other than itself. Consciousness is absolute without a second.

The moon reflecting on the water and appearing as many, the ‘Self’ is just like the reflection of the moon on the water which increases with the volume of water and decreases with its reduction, which moves when the water moves, and which differs as the water differs. The moon seems to conform to the characteristics of water, but in reality, the moon never has these increasing or decreasing qualities. So also, from the highest point of view, the consciousness always retains its sameness; it seems to conform to such characteristics as an increase and decrease of the limiting adjunct, owing to its entry into such an adjunct as a universe.

The thread is drawn from cotton and is woven into cloth. But the reality of cotton is in both of these forms, viz., thread and cloth. Similarly, the projections of names and forms of this material universe on the consciousness do not alter the nature of the consciousness. It remains as it is without any change.: ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Oneness is the nature of the Soul, the Self. Oneness means Advaita or nonduality.+

The sky, the star, planet, sun, the moon, the earth, the mountain, the ocean, and the person are all the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, but  consciousness is not specifically any of these while simultaneously being all of these.

Only when the Soul is hidden within the illusory form, time, and space the sky, the star, planet, sun, the moon, the earth, the mountain, the ocean, and the persons are a reality.

The nature of the Soul is a formless, timeless, and spaceless existence.

Thus, it is necessary to realize the sky, the star, planet, sun, the moon, the earth, the mountain, the ocean, and the persons are all created out of single stuff, which is consciousness. Consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth. 

Thus, God alone is real, the sky, the star, planet, sun, the moon, the earth, the mountain, the ocean, and the person are all merely an illusion created out of consciousness.

It is this Supreme Oneness that alone is real since there is nothing else but the Self. Verily, there remains no other independent entity in the state of realization of the highest Truth.

Oneness is the nature of the Soul, the Self. Oneness means Advaita or nonduality. 

When the universe appears the duality appears. When there is duality then there is no Oneness. When there is Oneness there is no duality.

By saying I and you are one the Oneness will not arise.

There is no Oneness in the realm of ignorance.

There is no Oneness when ‘I’ is present.

There is no Oneness when the mind is present.

There is no Oneness when the dualistic illusion is present.

There is no Oneness when the universe is present.

There is no Oneness when the waking or dream is present.

There is no Oneness when the individual experience of birth, life, death, and the world is present.

There is consciousness Oneness in the midst of the dualistic illusion when Advaitic wisdom dawns.

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, is nothing else but Brahman (Consciousness) which is absolutely free from all the limitations of Maya.

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 have the courage 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.

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. Until 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

Many people think Hinduism is the ancient Santana Dharma or Vedic religion but it is not so.+

People of India are not in contact with their religious history therefore, they believe their inherited beliefs as the ultimate truth. People of India think Hinduism is not Vedic Religion or Santana Dharma but it is not so.  Vedic Religion or Santana Dma existed is prior to Buddhism. Hinduism was established after overthrowing Buddhism.     

Hinduism is nothing to do with Advaitic wisdom or Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Athma Gnana.

Every seeker of truth must realize that Hinduism is nothing to do with Advaitic wisdom or Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. Many people think Hinduism is the ancient Santana Dharma or Vedic religion but it is not so.

Hinduism is a non-Vedic belief system founded by many founders and reformers with different ideologies and beliefs, traditions. Hinduism is not the means to acquire Advaitic wisdom Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Advaitic wisdom Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is to realize the Vedic God, which is Atman the Self. Realizing Atman as the ‘Self is Self-realization.

All Hindus indulge in non-Vedic practices barred by the Vedas introduced by the different founders of the different sects of Hinduism at different times, whereas the Vedic religion or Santana Dharma is ancient and has no founder.

Hinduism is not Vedic religion or Santana Dharma. Hindus do idol worship, while Vedas bar idol worship.

The Vedas do not talk about idol worship. In fact, till about 2000 years ago followers of Vedic people never worshipped idols. Idol worship was started by the followers of Buddhism and Jains.

There is logic to idol worship. Vedas speak of one God that is the supreme ‘Self’ i.e. Atman or Soul but Hinduism indulges in worshiping 60 million Gods.

The Hindus believed in polytheism, believing all of their Gods to be separate individuals, which was introduced much later by the founders of Hinduism which contains diverse beliefs caste, and creed.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter: ~ “All those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires, they worship many Gods. (7- Verse -20)

How can you worship God? That implies two ~ the worshipper and the worshipped, whereas God is nondual. One can worship his idea of God only or realize his unity with it when he can’t worship it as apart.

All blind belief-based religion breeds superstition because religion is based on blind belief.

Swami Vivekananda: ~ “If superstition enters, the brain is gone. Superstition is our great enemy, but bigotry is worse.

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad says: ~ "He who worships the deities as entities entirely separate from him does not know the truth. For the Gods, he is like a pasu (beast)". (1. 4. 10)

Hinduism is not Vedic religion or Santana Dharma. Hindus do idol worship, while Vedas bar idol worship.

When the Vedic religion or Santana Dharma knows no idols then why so many Gods and goddesses with different forms and names are being propagated as Vedic Gods. Why these conceptual Gods are introduced when the Vedic concept of God is free from form and attributes.

Hindus do idol worship, while Vedas bar idol worship. According to Vedas, God is Athma, which pervades everything and everywhere.

People, who worship the belief of God, are hallucinating that they become one with such God because they believed the false God as the real God.

To be considered an orthodox Hindu one need only accept the authority of Shruti, however, there is no universal agreement among Hindus on what constitutes Shruti. Vedantins consider the Vedanta, i.e., the Upanishads as Shruti but also include the Bhagavad-Gita and Brahma Sutras as authoritative. For some Vaishnavas, the Bhagavata Purana is to be considered Veda. Some consider the Tantras are considered Veda. Thus, we find that there is ample scope for different ideologies, philosophies, and practices under the very broad umbrella of Hinduism.

Hindus indulge non-Vedic beliefs such as idolatry, ancestor worship, pilgrimages, priestcraft, offerings made in temples, the caste system, untouchability, and child marriages. All of these lack Vedic sanctions, therefore, Hinduism is not Ancient Vedic Religion or Santana Dharma.

Vedic people ate beef whereas the Hindus do not eat beef.

There is logic to idol worship. Vedas speak of one God that is the seme ‘Self’ in i.e. Atman or Soul but Hinduism indulges in worshiping 60 million Gods. All these 60 million Gods are non-Vedic Gods based on their beliefs.

The Vedas do not talk about idol worship; the followers of Vedic Religion or Santana Dharma never worshipped idols. Thus, all the Puranic Gods worshipped with form and attributes are not Vedic Gods.

Hinduism is not Vedic religion or Santana Dharma. Hindus do idol worship, while Vedas bar idol worship.

The Vedas do not talk about idol worship. In fact, till about 2000 years ago followers of the Vedic religion never worshipped idols. Idol worship was started by the followers of Buddhism and Jains.

The Vedas confirm God is Atman (Spirit), the ‘Self’.

Rig Veda: ~ The Atman (Soul or Spirit) is the cause; Atman is the support of all that exists in this universe. May ye never turn away from the Atman, the ‘Self’? May ye never accept another God in place of the Atman nor worship other than the Atman?" (10:48, 5)

Rig-Veda 1-164-46 and Y.V 32-1 clearly mention that God is “One”.

Rig Veda declares God is ‘ONE’ and God is Atman, then why believe and worship in place of real God.

Brihad Upanishad: ~ “If you think there is another entity, whether man or God there is no truth."

Chandogya Upanishad: ~   Sarvam khalvidam brahma ~ All this (universe) is verily Brahman. By following back all of the relative appearances in the world, we eventually return to that from which it is all manifest – the non-dual reality.  

One must remember that for all periods the Vedas are the final goal and authority, and if the Puranas differ in any respect from the Vedasarethe Puranas is to be rejected without mercy.

If you feel Puranas say something and the Vedas say something else, reject the Puranas and believe in the Vedas. The Puranas are just a myth.

Even Sage Sankara says: ~ Supreme Brahman (God) is impersonal, Nirguna (without Gunas or attributes), Nirakara (formless), Nirvisesha (without special characteristics), immutable, eternal, and Akarta (non-agent). It is above all needs and desires. It is always the Witnessing Subject. It can never become an object as it is beyond the reach of the senses. Brahman is non-dual, one without a second. It has no other besides it. It is destitute of difference, either external or internal. Brahman cannot be described, because description implies a distinction. Brahman cannot be distinguished from any other than It. In Brahman, there is not distinction between substance and attribute. Sat-Chit-Ananda constitutes the very essence or Svarupa of Brahman, and not just Its attributes. The Nirguna Brahman of Sage  Sankara is impersonal.

God is a formless, timeless, and spaceless existence. Thus according to the Vedas God neither has any image nor God resides in any particular idol or statue. God cannot be seen directly by anyone. God pervades all beings and all directions.

Sage Sankara: ~"That which permeates all, which nothing transcends and which, like the universal space around us, fills everything completely from within and without, that Supreme non-dual Brahman (God in truth).”: ~Santthosh Kumaar