Without realizing this universe is merely an illusion it is impossible to realize the ‘Self’ hidden by the universe.+

Without realizing this universe is merely an illusion it is impossible to realize the ‘Self’ hidden by the universe.  To realize the universe is an illusion, you must realize what is this ‘I’ in actuality.

The universe is and is not. It is neither real nor unreal. It leads us to recognize the existence of its illusory nature. The universe is illusory from one perspective and from the second it is nothing but the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. 

The Soul, the Self itself is the ultimate truth or Brahman.  The universe itself is an illusory manifestation.

This apparent universe is an illusion (Maya) and has its basis in the Soul, the Self. The Soul is Eternal.

The universe looks as real. The universe which consists of form, time, and space is not real In the light of Advaitic wisdom, the unreal nature of the universe is exposed and the Soul, the ‘Self’ alone shines as real. 

Sage Sankara’s Mayavada has not been accepted by many preachers and philosophers because it limits the Soul to an individual whereas the Soul is not an individual. 

The Soul is not limited to an individual. The individuals are many but the Soul is one.  The individual exists within the universe.  The Soul is the cause of the universe and it, itself is uncaused.  

The Soul is not within the human body.  The universe is created out of single stuff.  That single stuff is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. Thus, whatever the universe contains is bound to be the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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