Swami Vivekananda: ~ “Advaita encompasses everything. Since Advaita requires heavy-duty intellectualism, it had to be progressively simplified.+

Come ye slow, or come ye fast; it is but the Soul, the Advaita that reveals itself at last.

Swami Vivekananda: ~ “Advaita encompasses everything. Since Advaita requires heavy-duty intellectualism, it had to be progressively simplified. (From 'The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda)

Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is not based on any teaching or teacher. 

The pursuit of truth is the pursuit of verification, not the pursuit of an argument. Intellectual discussion is a great hindrance in the pursuit of truth. 

That which is unreal, that is, duality, cannot contradict the truth of non-duality. It cannot be counted as an adversary of non-duality. The illusion cannot, 'oppose' the substratum, reality. It can at best lead to the mistaking of the substratum. Perfect understanding is the only way to overcome ignorance.

Astavakra: ~ “My child, you may speak upon various scriptures or hear the sermons on the scriptures. But you cannot establish in the ‘Self’ unless you forget all. 16-1 – p49 

It is impossible to find and realize the truth via religion and scriptural study. 

Katha Upanishad: ~ This Atman cannot be attained by the study of the Vedas, or by intelligence, or by much hearing of sacred books. It is attained by him alone whom It chooses. To such a one, Atman reveals its own form. (Katha Upanishad Ch-II -23-P-20)

Mundaka Upanishad: ~ “This Atman cannot be attained through study of the Vedas, nor through intelligence, nor through much learning. He who chooses Atman—by him alone is Atman attained. It is Atman that reveals to the seeker its true nature. (3 –page-70 Upanishads by Nikilanada)

When the Upanishad says: ~ “The human goal is to acquire Self-Knowledge, and they indicate the personal Gods, scriptures, worship, and rituals are not the means to Self –Knowledge, then why anyone should indulge in it. 

The religion, concept of individualized God, belief in physical Guru scriptures are the greatest obstacle to realizing non-dual truth or Self-realization because they are based on false Self. 

The seeker of truth has to search for the ultimate truth without losing himself in the labyrinths of philosophy, through deeper Self-search and assimilate and realize it. 

That is why Sage Sankara, indicated in Bhaja Govindam, says: - (Jnana Viheena Sarva Mathena Bajathi na Muktim janma Shatena) - one without knowledge does not obtain liberation even in a hundred births, no matter which religious faith he follows. 

Then it is no use going a roundabout way; trace the Brahman, which is the formless substance and witness of the universe, which is in the form of mind. By tracing the source of the mind or universe, one will be able to realize the Brahman. 

Thus, Self-knowledge is meant only for those who have an intense urge and courage to accept the truth with humility and reject the untruth. Since people start comparing with their scriptural knowledge, it becomes impossible to assimilate and realize the non-dual truth. Therefore, there is no need to convince anyone other than our own selves to get the firm conviction. 

So they clearly indicate rituals and theories are not meant for those who are searching for higher knowledge or wisdom. The path of wisdom is the only means. 

The knowledge of both matter and Spirit is true knowledge. True knowledge is Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar