A Gnani sees duality as nonduality in the midst of duality because he has attained Gnana.+

Mundaka Upanishad:~ As rivers flow into the sea and in so doing lose name and form, so even the wise man, freed from name and form, attains the Supreme Being, the Self-luminous, the Infinite. He who knows Brahman becomes Brahman. ~ 3.2.8-

Chandogya Upanishad: ~ “Whoever sees the Self in all does not see death, disease or diversity.

There are not many Gnanis; only fake Gnanis are so common. To recognize a Gnani is very difficult.

A Gnani sees only unity in diversity, just like a goldsmith estimating the gold in various items of jewelry sees only gold. When one identifies the self with the form then only the form, time and space are present. But when one transcends form, time, and space the duality never remains as reality. 

Remember:~

On the dualistic perspective, the individual experience of birth. Life, death, and the world are a reality.

On the non-dualistic perspective, the individual experience of birth. Life, death, and the world are an illusion.

Wherever there is duality there is the illusion. Wherever there is nonduality there is a reality.

A Gnani sees duality as nonduality in the midst of duality because he has attained Gnana.

First, the seeker has to know ‘what is the subject’ and ‘what is the object’. Deeper Self-search reveals the fact that”: the world in which we exist is an object to the formless subject. The formless subject is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Deeper verification reveals the fact that the object and the subject are one in essence. That essence is consciousness. Thus, an object only an illusion created out of the formless subject. Thus, in reality, the subject is real exists eternal.

The look of an object will depend upon the medium through which the observer views it. In fact, our mental and intellectual conditions determine the object (three states), observed, and experienced. The commoner viewing the object (three states) will see differently from a Gnani viewing the same three states. Each one interprets the three states that they see in terms of their existing knowledge. The commoner sees everything based on the ego, therefore, object (the world in which he exists as a reality), whereas a Gnani sees everything as the consciousness and he is fully aware of the fact that, there is no second thing exists other than the Soul or the consciousness (subject). Thus, all the objective observation has to be bifurcated to realize the ultimate truth, which is beyond form, time, and space. 

Remember:~

Both Gnani and ignorant see the multiplicity, but Gnani does not take the differences which he sees as being real. That is the difference between them. A Gnani sees the unity behind the differences and considers the form, time and space are one, in essence.

A Gnani has the world, acts, and lives normally in it, but does not regard it as a separate thing. The Gnani is always aware of the Soul the innermost Self, and though he sees a thousand things, will not forget it.

A Gnani sees only unity in diversity, just like a goldsmith is estimating the gold in various items of jewelry sees only gold.

When one identifies the Self with the form, then only the form, time, and space are present. But when one transcends form, time, and space the duality never remains a reality.

All our questions arise because the Soul, the innermost Self is in ignorance of its own Self. When the Soul remains in its own awareness there, then there is unity in diversity (oneness). : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Realize what this ‘I’ in actuality then you will never use the word ‘I’ for the ‘Self’.+

 The ‘Self is not in you but the ‘Self’ is hidden by the ‘I’. Realize what this ‘I’ in actuality then you will never use the word ‘I’ for the ‘Self’.

The seeker has to make sure what is this ‘I’ supposed to be? The seeker has to make sure the unreal nature of the ‘I’ which comes and goes in order to realize the truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space.

‘I’ is not the reality. Whenever the ‘I’ is there the dualistic illusion is present. Whenever dualistic illusion is present the world in which you exist is present. The world in which you exist appears and disappears.

Thus, ‘I’ appears and disappears. The ‘I’ is not permanent. The Soul, the Self is the witness of the coming and going, of the ‘I’. It is erroneous to identify the Soul, the Self as the ‘I'. ‘I’ represents ignorance. How can you watch the ‘I’ the truth which is hidden by the ‘I’?

By you keeping quiet and keeping silent the truth will not emerge.

The ‘I’ hides the Soul, the Self.

If the Self is not ‘I’ but the Self is the Soul then from the standpoint of the Soul, the Self:~

Where is the ‘I’?

Where is the ego?

Where is the body?

Where is the mind?

Where is the world in which you exist?

Where are the form, time, and space?

Where is the waking experience?

Where is the duality?

Where is void?

They are or have become one with the Soul which is present in the form of consciousness. Consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth.

The ‘I’ is present only when the mind is present. The mind is present only when the world is present. The world is present only when there is the waking experience.

Deeper Self-search reveals the fact that the waking experience is not considered different from the world. The world is not considered different from the mind. The mind is not considered different from the’ I’. This truth has to be assimilated.

The ‘I’ is merely an illusion created out of the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. ‘I’ is not the subject. The ‘I’ is an object to the Soul, which is the formless, timeless, and spaceless subject.

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then the world in which you exist is bound to be an illusion.

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then three states, are bound to be an illusion.

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then the form, time, and space are bound to be an illusion.

If the 'I’ is an illusion then the individual experience of birth, life, death is bound to be an illusion.

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then the words and thoughts are bound to be an illusion.

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then the duality is bound to be an illusion.

Bhagavad Gita: ~ “You must first see the ‘I’ as illusory before you see others as illusory. ~ CH.2 v.16

There is nothing that exists prior to consciousness. The ‘I’ cease to exist without consciousness. The Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is the ultimate truth or Brahman.

That is why Bhagavad Gita: ~ The permanent (consciousness) is always there, only the transient ‘I’ comes and goes. (2.18)

The ‘I’ hides the truth of the whole.

Bhagavad Gita says: ~ ‘Brahmano hi pratisthaham’ ~ Brahman (God) is considered the all-pervading consciousness, which is the basis of all the animate and inanimate entities and material. (14.27).

When Bhagavad Gita says, God is considered the all-pervading consciousness which is the basis of all the animate and inanimate entities and material then nothing has to be accepted other than consciousness.

The consciousness is ever-present. Without consciousness, the world, in which you exist ceases to exist. Consciousness is Self-evident. It is not established by extraneous proofs. It is not possible to deny consciousness because it is the very essence of the one who denies it.

Consciousness is the basis of all kinds of knowledge, presuppositions, and proofs. Consciousness is everything. Thus, consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth. : ~Santthosh Kumaar

All the Gurus glorified the ‘I’. Thus, it becomes very difficult to discard the ‘I’.+

All the Gurus glorified the ‘I’. Thus, it becomes very difficult to discard the ‘I’. Those who have accepted the ‘I-centric teaching refuse to accept anything other than their accepted truth.

Till you hold the ‘Self’ as the ‘I’, your knowledge remains skin deep.

What is it that appears as the ‘I’ and disappears as the ‘I-less? It is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Do not make the mistake of holding the ‘I’ as the Self because it is not permanent. ‘I’ disappears and becomes ‘I’-less.

‘I’ is an illusion and the ‘I-LESS’ is the Soul, the Self real and eternal. The ‘I-LESS' Soul appears as ‘I’ and ‘I ’‘disappears as I-LESS Soul, the Self.

Bhagavad Gita: ~ “The permanent is always there, only the transient ‘I’ comes and goes. (2.18)

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

That is why Bhagavad Gita: ~ ‘The permanent (consciousness) is always there, only the transient ‘I’ comes and goes. (2.18)

People think the ‘I’ without the body is the Self. The seeker has to understand the fact that ‘I’ is not the Self, but the witness of the ‘I’ is the true Self, which is eternal.

That is why Ashtavakra Gita 16:10:~ If you desire liberation, but you still say ‘I’ if you feel the ‘Self’ is the ‘I’, you are not a wise man or a seeker. You are simply a man who suffers.

Remember this:- “The ‘Self’ is not the ‘I’ but the ‘Self’ is the Soul, the witness of the ‘I’, which comes and goes.

There is nothing to realize other than realizing the fact that, you and the world in which you exist are created out of single stuff and that single stuff is the Soul, the Self. The Soul is present in the form of consciousness.

Thus, you and the world in which you exist is nothing but consciousness. Thus, by realizing this truth the Soul becomes free from the cage of the illusory form, time, and space. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Identifying the ‘Self’ as ‘you’, is a great error. The Self is not you but the’ Self’ is the Soul.+

 

Identifying the ‘Self’ as ‘you’ is a great error. The Self is not you but the’ Self’ is the Soul, which is present in the form of the consciousness.

The form, time and space are an object to the Soul, which is the subject. The Soul witnesses the form, time, and space together.

The form, time, and space appear as ‘I’. When ‘I’ disappears then the form, time and space also disappear.

The ‘I-centric Gurus hold you as the Self are unaware of the truth hidden by the ‘I’.

The knowledge expounded by the ‘I-centric’ Gurus and their teaching is lower knowledge. The seeker has to ignore this ‘I-centric teaching and search for higher knowledge, which is hidden by ignorance.

This is your bondage that you are stuck up to the ‘I’ centric teaching. ‘I’ centric teachings are lower knowledge meant for lower stages.

The seeker has to ignore these ‘I’ based teaching and search for higher knowledge. ... Such teachings are unsafe rafts for crossing the ocean of ignorance. Doomed to shipwreck are those who try to cross the ocean of the ignorance on these poor rafts.

Ignorant of their own ignorance, yet wise in their own esteem, these deluded people proud of their vain learning go round and round like the blind led by the blind.

The Soul, the Self is verily Brahman (God), being equanimous, quiescent, and by nature absolute Existence, Knowledge, and Awareness. The Soul is not the ‘I’ which is non-existence itself. Realization of this truth is called Self- Knowledge by the Sages of truth.

There is nothing that exists prior to consciousness. The ‘I’ cease to exist without consciousness. The Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is the ultimate truth or Brahman.

That is why Bhagavad Gita: ~ ‘The permanent (consciousness) is always there, only the transient ‘I’ comes and goes. (2.18)

The ‘I’ hides the  Soul, the Self. 

Bhagavad Gita: ~ “You must first see the ‘I’ as illusory before you see others as illusory. ~ CH.2 v.16

First, you must make sure the ‘I’ itself is illusory because the ‘I’ is not permanent.

The seeker has to find for himself the truth of his true existence and to come to a fuller and deeper understanding and realization of the truth, which is hidden by the illusory form, time, and space.

The purpose quest for truth is to first find out what is the untruth to realize the truth and discard the untruth.

Do not try to get rid of the ego you will never succeed in getting rid of the ego. Think in a different direction. The ego exists only in the domain of the form, time, and space.

The form, time, and space exist only when the mind exists.

The mind exists only when the universe exists.

The universe appears only when the waking appears.

The waking appears only when the ‘I’ appears.

Remember:~

The ‘I’ disappears in deep sleep.

There is no form, time, and space when ‘I’ disappears.

There is no mind when ‘I’ disappears.

There is the universe when the ‘I’ disappears.

There is no waking when the ‘I’ disappears.

Remember:~

‘I’ appears means the duality appears.

The duality that appears means there is the division of form, time, and space.

If there is no division of the illusory form, time, and space in consciousness means there is diversity in the unity.

Remember ~

When ‘I’ disappears, there is nonduality.

Nonduality is the fullness of consciousness without the illusory division of form, time, and space.

The fullness of consciousness means unity in diversity.

Unity in diversity in consciousness is Advaita.

Consciously becoming aware of the Soul in the midst of diversity (waking) is Self- awareness or Brahmic awareness.

If you desire Self-realization, but you still say "I,” and if you feel the ‘Self’ is the ‘I’, you are not a wise seeker. You are simply ignorant.

‘I’-centric knowledge is unsafe rafts for crossing The Ocean of ignorance, which is the cause of experiencing the dualistic illusion as a reality. 

Doomed to shipwreck are those who try to cross The Ocean of ignorance on these poor rafts of ‘I-centric knowledge. Ignorant of their own ignorance, yet wise in their own esteem, these deluded people proud of their vain learning go round and round like the blind led by the blind. : ~Santthosh Kumaar

If the ‘I’ be true, let it then be perceived in the state of deep sleep also. As it is not at all perceived, it must be unreal.+

 If the ‘I’ be true, let it then be perceived in the state of deep sleep also. As it is not at all perceived, it must be unreal and false like a dream.

Bhagavad Gita: ~ “You must first see the ‘I’ as illusory before you see others as illusory. ~ CH.2 v.16

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 not-Self.

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.

The seeker has to make sure what is this ‘I’ supposed to be? The seeker has to make sure the unreal nature of the ‘I’ which comes and goes in order to realize the truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space.

That is why Bhagavad Gita: ~ The permanent is always there, only the transient ‘I’ comes and goes. (2.18)

The ‘I’ hides the  Soul, the Self, which is ever nondual. 

People think the ‘I’ without the body is the Self. The seeker has to understand the fact that ‘I’ is not the Self, but the witness of the ‘I’ is the true Self, which is eternal.

That is why Ashtavakra Gita 16:10:~ If you desire liberation, but you still say "I," If you feel the ‘Self’ is the ‘I’, You are not a wise man or a seeker. You are simply a man who suffers.

People are stuck with the reality of the ‘I’, which they take it as real because some Gurus have propagated the Self is the ‘I’. is no need to convince such a mindset. The seeker of truth accepts only the truth nothing but the truth.

The one who holds the ‘I’ as the Self never will be able to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. Thus, it is necessary to realize first the ‘I’ is not the Self, but the Soul the formless witness of the ‘I’ is the Self.

The ‘I’ based teaching and teachers are not a yardstick in the path of wisdom. ‘I’ based teaching will not lead the seeker to the ultimate end of his inner journey.

Different Gurus and teachers are pointing out the understanding of the Advaitic truth on different standpoint. All such understanding of Advaita is on dualistic perspective accumulated from here and there.

Advaita is not a theory or a philosophy. Advaita is the nature of the Soul the innermost Self. There is no need for any theory or philosophy or scriptures to acquire Self-knowledge. Only a perfect understanding of ‘what is what’ is needed.

The citations from scriptures are not proofs. The ultimate truth has to be proved without the scriptures. The ultimate truth is the universal truth and it does not belong to any religion. The religion causes diversity in unity, whereas, the ultimate truth brings unity in diversity.

It is not that one should pore over the ancient scriptures. There is no need to study first, then realize. One has to realize first, then only he will know ‘what is truth’ and ‘what is untruth’.

One has to make his discoveries through the process of rational thinking.

That is why Sage Sankara says:~ VC -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.

People refuse to accept anything other than their Gurus words. For them, their Gurus words are the ultimate truth. They do not accept anything else other than their accepted truth. There is no need to convince such a mindset.

Such a mindset is not fit to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. The seekers of truth accept only the truth nothing but the uncontradictable truth. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Where is the ‘I’? Where is the ego Where is the body? Where is the mind? Where is the world in which you exist?+

By simply saying go within and discover what you are, nothing else matters, such statements are superficial. The Self not you to find out who you are but you must find out the truth of the world in which you exist.

Sage Sankara says: ~ “What is accepted without a proper inquiry will not lead a person to the final goal. On the contrary, such acceptance will result only in evil, in something which is detrimental to our spiritual progress.

Go within means think, reason, and reflect deeply and find out how this world in which you exist came into existence. The world in which you exist is not different from the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness because the universe is made of consciousness. Thus, consciousness alone is and all else (universe) is merely an illusion. Thus, the illusion is not different from the consciousness, which the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth.

Sage  Sankara says ~ VC 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.

Perfect understanding of ‘what is what leads to the realization of the truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space.

Sage Sri, Sankara says: ~ A..A 88. When the whole universe, movable and immovable, is known to be Atman, and thus the existence of everything else is negated, where is then any room to say that the body is Atman?

You have to reduce the world in which we exist as the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness by realizing the world in which we exist is nothing but consciousness.

Do not keep on glorifying the ‘I’. The ‘I’ is not within your body. Remember the ‘I’ is the whole universe. The universe ceases to exist without the ‘I’.

If you are caught in the grip of the ‘I’ then you will remain permanently in the grip of ignorance. If you hold the Self as ‘I’ you will never be able to cross the dualistic illusion. If you follow the ‘I’ based teaching it is like the blind leading the blind.

If you inquire “Who am ‘I’? the ‘I’ will not disappear. You must know the nature of the ‘I’, which appears and disappears.

The Soul is the witness of the ‘I’ is permanent and eternal. The Soul is the subject and the ‘I’ is an object.

The ‘I’ hides the Soul. Therefore, the seeker has to realize ‘what is this ‘I’ supposed to be in actuality.

If the Self is not ‘I’ but the Self is the Soul then from the standpoint of the Soul, the Self:~

Where is the ‘I’?

Where is the ego?

Where is the body?

Where is the mind?

Where is the world in which you exist?

Where are the form, time, and space?

Where is the waking experience?

Where is the duality?

Where is void?

They are or have become one with the Soul which is present in the form of the consciousness. The consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman.

The ‘I’ is present only when the mind is present. The mind is present only when the world is present. The world is present only when there is the waking experience.

Deeper self-search reveals the fact that the waking experience is not considered different from the world. The world is not considered different from the mind. The mind is not considered different from the’ I’. This truth has to be assimilated.

Remember:~

The ‘I’ is merely an illusion created out of the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. ‘I’ is not the subject. The ‘I’ is an object to the Soul, which is the formless, timeless, and spaceless subject.

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then the world in which you exist is bound to be an illusion.

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then three states, are bound to be an illusion.

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then the form, time, and space are bound to be an illusion.

If the 'I’ is an illusion then the individual experience of birth, life, death is bound to be an illusion.

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then the words and thoughts are bound to be an illusion.

If the ‘I’ is an illusion then the duality is bound to be an illusion.

The seeker has to make sure what is this ‘I’ supposed to be? The seeker has to make sure the unreal nature of the ‘I’ which comes and goes in order to realize the truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space.

That is why Bhagavad Gita: ~ “The permanent is always there, only the transient ‘I’ comes and goes. (2.18)

The ‘I’ hides the Soul, the Self. 

People think the ‘I’ without the body is the Self. The seeker has to understand the fact that ‘I’ is not the Self, but the witness of the ‘I’ is the true Self, which is eternal.

That is why Ashtavakra Gita 16:10:~ If you desire liberation, but you still say 'I' if you feel the ‘Self’ is the ‘I’, you are not a wise man or a seeker. You are simply a man who suffers.

People are stuck with the reality of the ‘I’, which they take it as real because some Gurus have propagated the Self is the ‘I’. is no need to convince such a mindset. The seeker of truth accepts only the truth nothing but the truth. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Until ‘I’ is present, ignorance is present. Until ignorance is present, you will not be able to unfold the mystery of the ‘I.+

Without knowing this ‘I’ supposed to be in actuality it is impossible to realize the ‘Self’ hidden by the ‘I’.

The universe in which you exist exists because of 'I' because 'I' itself is the universe. Without the 'I', the universe ceases to exist. The universe is merely an illusion created out of the Soul, the Self, which is present in the form of consciousness. 

Bhagavad Gita: ~ “You must first see the ‘I’ as illusory before you see others as illusory. ~ CH.2 v.16

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

Until 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 present the ‘I’ prevails as reality.

If the ‘I’ prevails as reality then the world in which you exist prevails as a reality. If the world in which you exist as a reality then the dualistic illusion or Maya is experienced as a reality.

Perfect understanding of ‘what is what’ helps you to overcome ignorance (I). Until ‘I’ is there the ignorance is there. Until ignorance prevails you will not be able to unfold the mystery hidden by the ‘I’.

Unless one drops all his garbage accumulated knowledge it is impossible to realize the ‘Self’ hidden by the dualistic illusion.

The seeker has to think deeply instead of passing the opinion on his own point of view and he has to drop the judgmental attitude, which blocks the realization of the truth, which is hidden by the form, time, and space. The truth is not custom made stuff to please a different mindset.

What is the use of arguing on the base of the birth entity, which is not the Self?

What is the use of knowing what happens after death when the Self is unborn eternal?

What is the use of thinking of heaven and hell when the ‘Self ‘is not an individual and it is never born and it never dies?

Intellectual discussion is a great hindrance in the pursuit of truth because intellectual knowledge is egocentric knowledge, which is limited to the domain of the form, time, and space.

In Advaitic Self-awareness, the ego is not considered as ego, even though the ego is present, the body is not considered as a body even though the body is present, the world which confronts him is not considered as the world even though the world is present, the duality ceases even though the duality is present, because of wisdom everything is considered as consciousness. Thus, there is conscious oneness.

Only in ignorance, the world in which we exist is an illusion created out of the Soul, the  Self.

The world is both real and unreal. It is real because it is a manifestation of consciousness, but is unreal, in the sense, that it is not absolute and eternal like consciousness itself.

People's approach is more practical, and they stuck with the reality of the world, they take it as real. That is why all the confusion.

The look of an object will depend upon the medium through which the observer views it. In fact, our mental and intellectual conditions determine the world, observed, and experienced. The commoner viewing the world will see differently from a Gnani viewing the same world. Each one interprets the world that they see in terms of their existing knowledge. The commoner sees everything based on the ego, therefore, experiences the birth, life, death, and the world as a reality, whereas a Gnani sees everything as consciousness and he is fully aware of the fact that, there is no second thing that exists other than the Soul or consciousness. Thus, all the egocentric (religious) adulteration has to be bifurcated to realize the ultimate truth, which is hidden by the illusory form, time, and space.

You are not the Self because you belong to the dualistic illusion. Until you hold the ‘Self’ as you, you will remain ignorant of the ‘Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

The word is the form only for communication purposes. Within the duality, it is impossible to communicate without words. Grasping the truth beyond the words is very essential.

When a Gnani does not see his body as the body, his ego as the ego, his experience of the world as the world, then he has realized his body, his ego, and his experience of the world as consciousness. Thus, everything is Soul or consciousness. Thus, there is no second thing that exists other than consciousness. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

The Soul is prior to the ‘I’.+

The Soul is prior to the ‘I’. The Soul is the ultimate truth or Brahman or God. People say I AM THAT ~ I am God, I am Brahman. But when Brahman is, how can "I" remain? Only Brahman (God) remains, not the ‘I’, it is erroneous to use the word ‘I’ for the Self, because ‘I’ represents the form, time, and space whereas the Soul, the Self is formless, timeless, and spaceless existence.

You are not prior to the Soul, the Self. The Soul the Self is  God in truth. It is foolish to hold the Self as you because you and your experience of the world appear with the ‘I’ and disappears with the ‘I’.

Bhagvad Gita: ~ “You must first see the ‘I’ as illusory before you see others as illusory. ~ CH.2 v.16

The seeker has to make sure what is this ‘I’ supposed to be? The seeker has to make sure the unreal nature of the ‘I’ which comes and goes in order to realize the truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space

That is why Bhagavad Gita: ~ “The permanent is always there, only the transient ‘I’ comes and goes. (2.18)

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

People think the ‘I’ without the body is the Self. The seeker has to understand the fact that ‘I’ is not the Self, but the witness of the ‘I’ is the true Self, which is eternal.

That is why Ashtavakra Gita 16:10:~ “If you desire liberation, but you still say "I," If you feel the ‘Self’ is the ‘I’, You are not a wise man or a seeker. You are simply a man who suffers.

People are stuck with the reality of the ‘I’, which they take it as real because some Gurus have propagated the Self is the ‘I’. is no need to convince such a mindset. The seeker of truth accepts only the truth nothing but the truth.

That is why Sage Sankara says: - VC-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.

People refuse to accept anything other than their Gurus words. For them, their Gurus words are the ultimate truth. They do not accept anything else other than their accepted truth. There is no need to convince such a mindset.

Such a mindset is not fit to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. The seekers of truth accept only the truth nothing but the uncontradictable truth. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Gnani mixing with the company of people from all walks of life, behaving as they did, not claiming to be different from them.+

Manduka Upanishads:~ A Gnani, bears no external mark. Neither nudity nor the religious robe has anything to do with him.

A Gnani cannot have the idea of giving up, renouncing the world or some object or person in the world, because that would connote the idea of duality. Knowing no second thing at all there remains nothing to be given up.

A Gnani, on attaining realization, will not give up his vocation in life but will continue it as before. If he was a billniore, he continues so, if a peasant, he will remain one. He still does his duty, but he is fully aware of the fact that his practical life within the practical world merely an illusion.

It is not correct to say that, a Gnani sees only good everywhere and never evil. He is fully aware of the evil things, he knows when he is being taken for a ride, but he remains unperturbed though acting as required. He recognizes what is bad and what is a good practical point of view and what is real and what is an illusion from the ultimate standpoint.

Gnani does not want to think of the ego, therefore, he does not do or say anything to make himself appear superior to others, or to pretend to know more than others. If a person spends his time in Samadhi, he is not a Gnani, but he is only a yogi.

The Gnani is as alert and awake to what is happening to him externally as all other people: he is not a yogi in Samadhi. A yogi does not know the ultimate truth or Brahman because he believes his Samadhi as Brahman.

The Gnani has realized the world in which he exists is merely an illusion created out of consciousness. And consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman or God.

Gnani mixing with the company of people from all walks of life, behaving as they did, not claiming to be different from them. He occasionally is dropping some words, giving some suggestions which created curiosity to know the reality beyond form, time, and space. Thus, he will instill hope into the seeker's heart that, it is really possible to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

A Gnani will neither talk too volubly like shallow persons nor observe complete silence like some yogis and Gurus. He will talk as much as is necessary, but no more. Thus, he follows the inner (mental) path. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar