This universe is nothing but the Soul, which is present in the form of the consciousness.+

Sage Sankara: ~ "VC~ if the universe is 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 dreams. 

This universe is nothing but the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.  From the Soul, the universe appears, and when the universe disappears as consciousness, consciousness still remains without any division of form, time, and space.

Ashtavakra Gita: ~ “The universe rises from the Soul, the innermost “Self’ like bubbles from the sea. Thus know the ‘Self’ to be “One” and in this way enter into the state of dissolution."

To enable the seeker to steer clear of any possible doubt, the seeker should take the Atmic path.  The ‘I’ is the clue and study the nature of the ‘I’ and discover its source. 

The ‘“Self’’ is not within you but the ‘“Self’’ is hidden in the world in which you exist. The one which is born, lives, and dies is not the ‘“Self’’ because the ‘“Self’’ is the Soul, which is the ever-formless, timeless, and spaceless existence.

The Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is nothing to do with you the world in which you exist.  

From the standpoint of the Soul, the 'Self’, the world in which you exist is merely an illusion.

The 'Self’ is not within you, because the 'Self’ is not the body.   

If the 'Self’ is not you,   then why think the 'Self’ is within you. Deeper self-search reveals the fact that you and the world are within the Soul the 'Self’.  A perfect understanding and assimilation lead to Self-realization.

Till you think you are an individual separate from this world you will remain in the realm of dualistic illusion.  The dualistic illusion is the product of ignorance.  When the Advaitic wisdom dawns, then the ignorance vanishes. When ignorance vanishes, then the duality never remains a reality.  

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, the object is only an illusion created out of the formless subject.  The subject alone is real and exists eternal. 

Remember:~

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.

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: ~ 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.

Sage Sankara says: ~ “What is accepted without proper inquiry leads a person to the final goal. On the contrary, such acceptance will result only in evil, something which is detrimental to our spiritual progress. 

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 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