This universe is only the veil of ignorance on the Soul, the Self, which is present in the form of consciousness. The Self is not you but the Soul, which is hidden by the universe. The Soul is hidden by the universe because the universe merely a dualistic illusion or Maya created out of the Soul, which 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, is nothing else but Brahman (Consciousness) which is absolutely free from all the limitations of human thought.
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 the ignorance will prevail as a reality. Till ignorance is there the universe prevails as a reality.
Remember:~
People think that there is God and that the jivas--Souls-like them from the second, other than them. But in reality, there is no such duality at all.
The ignorance is the cause of the ‘I’
The duality is present in the form of 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 (duality) and disappears as deep sleep (non-duality).
The formless substance and witness of the appearance and disappearance of the ‘I’, is the formless Soul.
The Soul is present in the form of consciousness. Consciousness is the ultimate truth because the mind, which is present in the form of the universe, ceases to exist without consciousness. Thus, consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman.
Consciousness is the only reality and there is no second thing that exists other than consciousness. The universe is nothing but consciousness because it merely an illusion created out of consciousness. The whole universe is just an illusory play of consciousness. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar
