What is the use of doing Kriya yogas when ‘Self’ is not the body but the ‘Self’ is the Soul?+

If one could find the truth by just sitting and breathing up and down, it would have been so easy to find the truth. By breathing up and down or by holding the breath the ignorance will not vanish.

What is the use of doing Kriya yogas when ‘Self’ is not the body but the ‘Self’ is the Soul, which is present in the form of the consciousness? the Soul does not breath because it is the ever formless, timeless, and spaceless existence.

All breath-based yogic techniques will not help you to get rid of ignorance. All yogic techniques are good only for keeping mental and physical health nothing more.

The novice seekers must understand that yoga is all right in its places and that it is good at the beginning of the pursuit of truth, but when yoga is made ends in itself and not means acquiring the Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Yoga and meditation are not useless, they are useful to bring the restless ego under control. Yoga and meditation are not final. By indulging in yoga and meditation it will lead not lead to the ultimate end of understanding. Yoga cannot remove ignorance. It is only a step. It removes obstructions.

Sage Sankara definitely says that yoga is not the means of liberation (page 132-133 of his commentary on Brihadaranyakopanishad).

Ashtavakra says: - "This is your bondage, that you practice Samadhi or meditation.”

Remaining thoughtless in the waking experience is yogic Samadhi. Yogic Samadhi is not the Advaitic wisdom

Brih Upanishad: page 32. "Yoga does not yield truth or liberation."

One who is in Samadhi will not know that this universe as the consciousness; therefore yoga is not the means to Self- knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

In Samadhi the yogi knows nothing, sees no universe; so if there is nothing but blankness. The blankness is not the Advaitic wisdom.

The yogi does not know the nature of the universe. If the universe is not seen in the Samadhi then there is no need to use the word Atman and Brahman. The yogi is unaware of the truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space.

By shutting his eyes in Samadhi, the yogi does not know the universe, which confronts him. Hence the universe can't be known as the Soul or the consciousness through yoga.

One is in a non-dual condition in deep sleep or Samadhi, One without a second, true, but he did not know it at the time. He says only in the waking experience afterward. Hence, there must be an inquiry so that you find non-duality whilst you are awake so that you can see nonduality at the time not afterward. Hence, too the need of inquiring into the nature of the universe and knowing it as the Soul or the consciousness whilst one is awake, and not during sleep or Samadhi.

Advaitic truth is the ultimate truth. Yogis, mystics, and religious teachers do not accept the path of wisdom because it pries into the truth, the source, and the validity of the knowledge they claim. Therefore, it is the most difficult part of the study of the Advaita.

That is why Sage Sankara said: ~ “Without causing the objective universe to vanish and without knowing the truth of the ‘Self’, how is one to achieve Liberation. -63- (VC)”

The universe in which we exist will not remain as reality when wisdom dawns. The universe is a mere mirage created out of consciousness and there is conscious awareness of unity in diversity because there is no second thing that exists other than consciousness.

Lord Krishna confesses that the oldest wisdom of India (Advaitic wisdom) has been lost: people misinterpret and falsify it today as they did then. It is not yoga but the philosophic truth. But nobody knows it. The teachers of philosophy and leaders of mysticism or religion do not want to inquire into truth and have no time for it. (Gita –Chap- IV-v.2)

In Gita Chap.IV where Lord Krishna says: ~ "This yoga has been lost for ages" the word yoga refers to Gnana yoga, not other yogas: the force of the word this is to point this out.

Lord Krishna describes some of the other yogas but devotes this chapter separately to Gnana Yoga. So one sees even in those ancient days people did not care for Advaita; they wanted religion; hence Gnana got lost. That is why Krishna calls it "the supreme secret." Krishna points out that the yoga must-see "Brahman in action."

Until a man is ripe to receive Self-knowledge, he will not be able to understand what I am saying.

Sage Sankara said:~ Neither by the practice of yoga nor philosophy, nor by good works nor by learning, does liberation come, but only through the realization that Atman and Brahman are one in no other way.(1) Vivekachoodamani v 56, pg. 25

Sage Sankara: ~ VC Neither sacred baths nor any amount of charity nor even Hundreds of pranayamas* can give us the knowledge about our own Self. The firm experience of the nature of the Self is seen to proceed from inquiry along the lines of the salutary advice of the wise. (13)

Sage Sri Sankara: ~ “The vital- air-Sheath cannot be the Self because it is the modification of air (Vayu). Like air, it enters the body and goes out of it never knowing the joy and sorrow like others. It is ever dependent on the Self. ~Viveka Chudamani 165-166

Breath, body, and the world are one in essence. That essence is consciousness. Consciousness (Soul) is the Self. Breath, body, and the world are part and parcel of the illusion. By holding the breath (vital force) as Self, one cannot get rid of the ignorance. Without getting rid of the ignorance wisdom will not dawn. Wisdom dawns only when one realizes the form, time and space are one in essence.

The truth- realization is very simple. We make it complicated by mixing diverse theories, different ideologies, religions, and yoga. All our accumulated knowledge is the greatest hindrance in pursuit of truth. To realize the truth beyond the form, time, and space, one must have the courage of Bhagavan Buddha.

Bhagavan Buddha got enlightenment only after dropping the religion, Vedas, and the concept of God. To realize the simple truth three is no need to go from one mountain to another, one Ashram to another or worship the Godmen or Guru as a God, or converting from one faith to another. The truth is universal. Anyone can realize it if has an intense urge.

There is no second thing that exists other than consciousness. In the world in which we exist, all our thoughts, words, beliefs, experiences are nothing but consciousness. Realizing the consciousness is everything, is truth realization or Self-realization or God-realization. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Someone posing as a Gnani is not a Gnani. If someone poses himself as a direct disciple of some guru cannot be a Gnani.+

What you are seeking is hidden by the dualistic illusion. The ultimate truth or Brahman dwells within the three states like fragrance in the flower; Musk lies within the Musk-deer yet seeks it afar."

Until one traces the truth hidden by the three states the illusion of birth, life, death, and the world is experienced as a reality.

People are searching for the ultimate truth in all the wrong places. People think the religious Gurus and yogis will help them to get Self -realization.

Someone posing as a Gnani is not a Gnani. If someone poses himself as a direct disciple of some guru cannot be a Gnani. Those who pose themselves as Gnanis are not Gnanis.

A Gnani never poses himself as a Guru, a swami, a sadhu, or a yogi or some Guru’s disciple.

Sage Sankara clearly indicates in Viveka Chudamani (2):~ Knower of the Atman (A Gnani) "bears no outward mark of a holy man" (Stanza 539).

Select Works of Sage Sankara" also his commentary on Brihad: ~ “Though I wear these robes of a Sanyasin, it is only for the sake of bread."

So Sage Sankara wore a Guru's robe only for the sake of the ignorant. So he was identified as Guru with parampara by religious people. For the truth seekers, Sage Sankara is a Brahma Gnani.

Thus, it proves that the religious gurus and yogis are not Gnanis because they identified themselves as holy people.

Thus it proves that Sage Sankara meant, taking sanyasa and wearing the religious robes to earn bread. Sanyasa is not a qualification to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Sage Sankara says the transparent Truth of the Self, which is hidden by the illusion, is to be attained through the instructions of a knower of Brahman, (Gnani).

~ ‘then why you are sticking to a Guru who is not a Gnani.

Remember:~

People are seeking within the dualistic illusion through various rituals, temples worship, pilgrimaging forests and mountaintops, monasteries without realizing the fact that they are searching the truth within the dualistic illusion with the illusory identity. The world in which we exist is a dualistic illusion.

Without realizing the world in which they exist is an illusion, it is difficult to realize the truth beyond the form, time, and space.

A deeper self-search reveals the fact that ‘Self’ is not the ‘I’ but the ‘Self’’ is the ‘I- LESS Soul, which witnesses the coming and going, of the ‘I’.

Until one gets a firm conviction that, only the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is real and the world, in which he exists, is an illusion created out of consciousness, it is difficult to realize the truth hidden by ignorance. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Ignorant fools, regarding sacrifices and humanitarian works as the highest, do not know Self-realization cannot be the result of good deeds any amount of charity or a dip in holy rivers.

First Mundaka - Chapter 2 (10)- Ignorant fools, regarding sacrifices and humanitarian works as the highest, do not know any higher good. Having enjoyed their reward on the heights of heaven, gained by good works, they enter again this world or a lower one.

The world in which you exist is a dualistic illusion created out of the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. The only thing which is real and eternal in the world in which you exist is the Soul, the Self. Thus,  the Soul alone is real and eternal. Whatever is eternal is God. 

The one who thinks he is an independent apart from the world and believes in action (karma) is not aware of the fact that the world in which he exists is an illusion created out of the Soul, which is present in the form of  consciousness. 

Thus, all good karma performed with the dualistic illusion has no value because the karma performed within the dualistic illusion has only value in the state of ignorance. 

Self-realization cannot be the result of good works any amount of charity or dip in holy rivers or by visiting holy mountains or pilgrimaging or even hundreds of pranayamas all types of Kriya yogas.  

That is why Sage Sankara said:~Neither by the practice of yoga nor philosophy, nor by good works nor by learning, does liberation come, but only through the realization that Atman and Brahman are one in no other way. (1) Vivekachoodamani v 56, pg~25

Sage Sankara:~  VC Let erudite scholars quote all the scripture, let Gods be invoked through sacrifices, let elaborate rituals be performed, let personal Gods be propitiated---yet, without the realization of one‘s identity With the Self, there shall be no liberation for the individual, not  even in the lifetimes of a hundred Brahmas put together (6)

Neither sacred baths nor any amount of charity nor even Hundreds of pranayamas can give us the knowledge about our own Self.  The firm experience of the nature of the Self is seen to proceed from inquiry along the lines of the salutary advice of the wise. (13) 

It is clear that liberation cannot be the result of good works, for Sruti itself declares that there is no hope for immortality by means of wealth.  (7). 

Sage Sankara:~ From the point of any of these four uses karma is of no use for attaining liberation. Remaining in one's own true form is release. It consists of realizing the true nature of the Self which is ever-existent and eternal. Moksha, therefore, is not something to be produced, for it is eternal (nityatvat). It is not something to be purified, for it is bereft of all qualities and impurities (nirgunatvat, nirdoshatvat cha). There is also another reason here. It cannot be purified since it is not a means (asadhanadravyatmakatvat). Only a thing that serves as a means can be purified, as the sacrificial vessel or clarified butter by the sprinkling of water and so on. (Commentary on Bhr, Upanishads 3-3-1)

Sage Sankara says Karma is not competent to remove ignorance, for it is not opposed to it. It does not matter in what way we characterize ignorance, whether as the absence of knowledge or as doubt or as erroneous knowledge. It is always removable by knowledge, but not by action in any of its forms, for there is no contradiction between ignorance and karma. (Commentary on Brah.3-3-1 )

Sage Sankara: ~ Action (karma) cannot destroy ignorance, for it is not in conflict with or opposed to ignorance. Knowledge does verily destroy ignorance as light destroys deep darkness. -Atma Bodha

Then the karma theory has no value. The karma theory is merely a religious fable meant for ignorant masses. The karma theory is not the means to acquire Advaitic wisdom or Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Self-realization or God-realization possible only when the seeker drops all the accumulated knowledge and start afresh.+

The world in which you exist is nothing but an illusion created out of the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

When you 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, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Thus, you, your experience birth, life, death, and the world merely an illusion created out of consciousness. Consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth.

The world is both real and unreal. It is real because it is a manifestation of consciousness, but is unreal, in the sense, that it is not absolute and eternal like consciousness itself.

People's approach is more practical, and they stuck with the reality of the world, they take it as real. That is why all the confusion.

In Self-awareness, the witness and witnessed are one in essence. That essence is consciousness. There is no second thing that exists other than consciousness.

Thus, whatever seen, known, believed, and experienced as a person is a reality within the waking experience (duality) but waking experience (duality) itself is merely an illusion created out of consciousness.

A person who refuses to accept the world is an illusion ~ and he stamped his foot on the ground to refute to show the world, is real, ignores that in the dream he would do exactly the same--stamp his dream foot on the ground and assert it to be real.

A Gnani is fully aware of the fact that the world in which he exists is a passing show. The witness of the passing show is the Soul; the innermost self is real and eternal. A Gnani vision is based on the Soul, not on his body.

In Self-awareness, the body is not the body, but it is consciousness, the ego is not the ego, but it is consciousness, the world is not the world, but it is consciousness even though they exist but their unreal nature is exposed.

Just as the dream becomes unreal when the waking takes place, the waking also becomes unreal when Advaitic wisdom dawns

Gnani and Illusion: ~

A King who was greatly incensed at the wisdom taught by Gnani that everything here below is an illusion. He wanted to teach the exponent of this doctrine a lesson. So he invited the then Gnani to his palace. That Gnani went there and stoutly maintained that everything in this world is an illusion.

The king had arranged to let loose a hungry lion against Gnani. The beast rushed at Gnani who took to a precipitate flight to save himself.

'Oh, Venerable Sir,' shouted the king, 'why do you run so fast seeing that the lion is only an illusion?'

'Oh, king,' said Gnani, in the course of his flight, 'my running too is an illusion. Everything in this world is an illusion.’

Similarly, we all are searching for truth within the illusion not being aware of the fact that the illusion is created out of single stuff. That single stuff is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Thus, searching the truth in the illusion with the illusory Self, within the illusory experience, has to be an illusion. The illusion is created and sustained and finally dissolves as the Soul or consciousness. There is no second thing other than consciousness. Thus, consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth.

The wisdom dawns in the midst of duality (falsehood or waking). When wisdom dawns the universe (waking) will not disappear, but its unreal nature is exposed. And one realizes the unity in diversity in consciousness because consciousness pervades in everything and everywhere in the universe. Thus, everything is consciousness. Consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth. . Thus, God in truth is the whole, not part.

Self-realization or God-realization possible only when the seeker drops all the accumulated knowledge and starts afresh. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Self-realization does not arise from some physical practice but it arises only by a perfect understanding of what is truth and by mentally dropping the untruth.+

Self-realization does not arise from some physical practice but it arises only by a perfect understanding of what is truth and by mentally dropping the untruth.

Remember:~

Mentally reduce you; your body and the world in which you exist into consciousness by realizing you, your body, and the world in which you exist are merely an illusion created out of consciousness.

Mentally reduce the form, time, and space into consciousness by realizing the form, time and space are merely an illusion created out of consciousness.

Mentally reduce the three states into consciousness by realizing the three states are nothing but an illusion created out of consciousness.

Mentally reduce the universe into consciousness by realizing the universe is nothing but an illusion created out of consciousness.

Mentally reduce the experience of the birth, life, death, and the world into consciousness by realizing the experience of the birth, life, death, and world are mere an illusion created out of consciousness.

When you mentally reduce everything into consciousness then there is no second thing that exists other than consciousness.

Consciousness is second to none that is Advaita. Where there is unity in diversity that is Advaita.

Remember:~

The world in which you exist is nothing but an illusion created out of the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

When you 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, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Thus, you, your experience birth, life, death, and the world merely an illusion created out of consciousness. Consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth.

The world is both real and unreal. It is real because it is a manifestation of consciousness, but is unreal, in the sense, that it is not absolute and eternal like consciousness itself.

People's approach is more practical, and they stuck with the reality of the world, they take it as real. That is why all the confusion.

In Self-awareness, the witness and witnessed are one in essence. That essence is consciousness. There is no second thing that exists other than consciousness.

Thus, whatever seen, known, believed, and experienced as a person is a reality within the waking experience (duality) but waking experience (duality) itself is mere illusion created out of consciousness.

A person who refuses to accept the world is an illusion ~ and he stamped his foot on the ground to refute to show the world, is real, ignores that in the dream he would do exactly the same--stamp his dream foot on the ground and assert it to be real.

A Gnani is fully aware of the fact that the world in which he exists is a passing show. The witness of the passing show is the Soul; the innermost self is real and eternal. A Gnani vision is based on the Soul, not on his body.

In Self-awareness, the body is not the body, but it is consciousness, the ego is not the ego, but it is consciousness, the world is not the world, but it is consciousness even though they exist but their unreal nature is exposed.

Just as the dream becomes unreal when the waking takes place, the waking also becomes unreal when Advaitic wisdom dawns: ~ Santthosh Kumaar

If you are searching for the truth about your existence then no Guru is needed.+

Bhagvan Buddha: ~ "It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell."

Bhagvan Buddha:~ There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth: not going all the way... and not starting.

You have to walk the path alone.

Swami Vivekananda said: ~ “You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher, but your own Soul.”

The Soul, the inner Guru reveals ‘what is real’ and ‘what is unreal” when the seeker is receptive and ready.

At the end of the quest, the seeker becomes aware of the fact that the true Self is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. There is no second thing that exists other than consciousness. Thus, the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is the Ultimate Reality or Brahman or God.

Self-Knowledge is achievable without the grace of any Guru or conceptual God or the mercy of some Godmen. The seeker has to realize the truth beyond the form, time, and space. The form, time, and space are made of single stuff. That single stuff is the consciousness. To realize this simple truth there is no need for any Guru.

The Guru is useless so long as the ultimate truth is unknown, and the Guru is equally useless when the ultimate truth or Brahman has already been known.

Guru is needed in the religious and yogic path. The Soul is the inner Guru.

The Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is the source of all that exists as the universe. To realize the universe is consciousness there is no need for Guru.

If so, why waste time and effort finding a Guru. If you are searching for the truth about your existence then no Guru is needed.

To get rid the ignorance, the only remedy is Self-knowledge. Self-knowledge is to realize the ‘Self’ is not you but the ‘Self is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Guru, scriptures, and religion are not of any use in the path of wisdom. The ignorance will not vanish by having a Guru. Without direct realization, one cannot be liberated by becoming a disciple of some Guru.

Without causing the ignorance to vanish and without Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana, how is one to the world in which he exists is merely an illusion?

Yoga Vasistha says: ~ Self-knowledge or knowledge of truth is not had by resorting to a Guru (preceptor) nor by the study of scripture, nor by good works: it is attained only through inquiry inspired by the company of wise (Gnani). One’s inner light alone is the means, naught else.

When this inner light is kept alive, it is not affected by the darkness of inertia. : ~Santthosh Kumaar

All the Gurus of the east and west misled the seeking world by glorifying the 'I'.+

Everyone uses the word “truth" and talks of it only from his own imaginary standpoint and not as it is.

People are not even aware of what truth they are seeking. They are seeking the truth of the existence of the Soul, the Self, which is present in the form of the consciousness hidden by the 'I'.

All the Gurus of the east and west misled the seeking world by glorifying the 'I'. Until we discard the 'I-centric' Gurus and their teaching it is impossible to realize the 'Self' hidden by the 'I'.

Sage Sankara says: ~ “What is accepted without a proper inquiry will not lead a person to the final goal. On the contrary, such acceptance will result only in evil, in something which is detrimental to our spiritual progress.

Sage Sankara says: ~ A buried treasure is not uncovered by merely uttering the words: “Come forth.” You must follow the right directions, dig, remove the stones and earth from above it, and then make it your own. In the same way, the pure truth of the Atman, which is buried under Maya and the effects of Maya, can be reached by meditation, contemplation, and other spiritual disciplines but never by perverse arguments.

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.

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: - 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 that 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 dualistic illusion or Maya.

Remember:~

Do not search for the truth in the world in which you exist because the world in which you exist hides the truth you are seeking for.

The truth is hidden by the world in which you exist because the world in which you exist is merely an illusion created out of the Soul, the Self, which is present in the form of consciousness. Without the Soul, the world, in which you exist ceases to exist.

Realize the Self is not you but the Self is the Soul, which is present in the form of the consciousness. Until you hold ‘Self’ as you will remain in ignorance. You are the false self within the dualistic illusion (Maya).

The dualistic illusion is created out of single clay. And that single clay is the consciousness. Knowledge of the single clay is Advaitic wisdom.

Remember:

Sage Sankara: ~ VC~.63: "Without knowing and examining the external world, 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.

After verifying through deeper inquiry if one finds the world is the reality within the illusion then he cannot again say the world is not an illusion.

If one is frightened to accept the world is an illusion (waking) then he is unfit to acquire ‘Self’-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. Those who stuck with the reality of the world are stuck with the reality of the individual experiences of birth, life, and death, which take place within the unreal world. Thus the pursuit of truth is for those who have the courage to accept the reality as it is, that is the reality without form, time, and space.

All is consciousness. The whole universe is consciousness. From consciousness, the universe comes. When the universe disappears, the consciousness still remains without form, time, and space.

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.

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 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 that 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. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar