The universe is the product of ignorance. Ignorance is present in the form of the ‘I’.+

The emptiness is the nature of the Soul, the Self. Emptiness means the Soul, the Self is empty of ignorance. 

The ‘I’ is not limited to an individual. The ‘I’ is the whole universe. Without the ‘I’ the universe ceases to exist. 

Until you limit the ‘I’ to you, you will never be able to realize the ‘Self’ hidden by the ‘I’.

The ‘I’ appears along with the universe and disappears along with the universe, therefore, the ‘I’ itself is the universe.

You appear along with the universe and disappear along with the universe.  Without the universe, you cease to exist.

Ignorance is present in the form of the ‘I’. The ‘I’ is present in the form of the dualistic illusion (Maya). 

The dualistic illusion is present in the form of the universe. The universe appears as waking or dream and waking or dream (duality) disappears as deep sleep (nonduality).

 ‘I’ itself is ignorance.

 ‘I’ itself is the dualistic illusion.

 ‘I’ itself is mind.

‘I’ itself is the universe.

‘I’ itself is waking or dream.

‘I’ itself is form, time and space together

But remember:~

Without the ‘’I’ there is no ignorance.    

 Without the ‘I’   there is no dualistic illusion.

Without the ‘I’ there is no mind.

Without the ‘I’ there is not the universe.

Without the ‘I’ there is waking or dream.

Without the ‘I’ there is no form, time, and space.

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, 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

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 come to a fuller and deeper understanding and realization of the truth, which is hidden by the illusory form, time, and space.

Because of ignorance, the universe has arisen. The universe is a dualistic illusion. Without ignorance, the Soul, the Self, which is present in the form of the consciousness alone shines as the ultimate truth or Brahman or God.

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).

Consciousness, the God in truth. God in truth is self-evident. It is not established by extraneous proofs. It is not possible to deny God in truth because God in truth is the very essence of the one who denies God in truth. God in truth is the basis of all kinds of knowledge, presuppositions, and proofs.

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

The universe is the product of ignorance. 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, 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