The universe appears as the waking or dream. The universe disappears as the invisible Soul in deep sleep.+

If you realize the universe is an illusion, then you must include yourself as part of the illusory universe.

The real Self is the Soul hidden by the illusory universe because the Soul or consciousness is the cause of the illusory universe.

Ashtavakra Gita: ~ The universe rises from the Self like bubbles from the sea.

WHAT IS ‘I’?

The ‘I’ disappears as the invisible Soul in deep sleep, so what is the use of being attached to it? It is impermanent and illusory.

There is really no ‘I’. The ‘I’ is present in the form of the mind. And the mind is in the form of the universe.

The universe appears as the waking or dream. The ‘I’ or mind or universe or waking or dream disappears as the invisible Soul, the Self in deep sleep.

One that appears as ‘I’ or the mind or universe or waking or dream is nothing but consciousness, and it disappears as deep sleep is also consciousness.

In deep sleep, it is in its formless, nondual true nature. The one that witnesses the coming and going of the three states is also consciousness. Thus, the witness and the witnessed are one in essence.

Thus, the universe is a reality on base of the ego. You are the ego. Ego is the false self within the false experience (waking).

The universe is unreal on the base of the Soul, the Self. The Soul is present in the form of consciousness. The seeker will gradually grasp and realize the unreal nature of the universe (‘I’ or mind).

Individuality is illusory because the ‘Self’’ is not an individual. After all, the Self is formless, and it pervades everything and everywhere in all three states.

Dualist Gurus have written big volumes about the Soul. Yet they are quite ignorant of the fact that the ‘I’ about which they write itself’’ comes and goes and has no permanent existence, is only an idea after all.

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 an ‘I’-less Soul. :~Santthosh Kumaar