Sage Sri, Sankara was criticized for his views on Maya (illusion) without understanding him.*****

Sage Sri, Sankara was criticized for his views on Maya (illusion) without understanding him.

Sage Sri, Sankara said: ~

(1) Brahman (Atman) is real

 (2) The universe is unreal, 

 (3) Brahman is the universe.

He did not stop at the second because the third explains the other two. It signifies that the universe is real if perceived as the ‘Self’ and unreal if perceived as apart from the Self. Hence Maya or illusion and reality are one and the same. 

The realists criticize the concept of illusion without understanding it. He said that:~

(1) Consciousness (Atman) is real

 (2) The universe or mind is unreal

 (3) Consciousness is the universe because the universe is merely an illusion created out of consciousness.  

 One need not stop at the second because the third explains the other two. It signifies that the universe is real if perceived as the Self (Atman or consciousness) and unreal if perceived as apart from the Self (consciousness). Hence illusion and reality are one and the same because both are one in essence. Realizing the essence, which is consciousness as the innermost Self, is Self-Realization or Truth- Realization of GOD- Realization. Thus, Sage Sri, Sankara‘s declaration is the rational truth, scientific truth and also the ultimate 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 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.  

The Soul which is present in the form of consciousness is the innermost Self. The Soul is the witness that experiences the action, the actor, and the world of separate things. It is like a light that illuminates everything in a theater, revealing the master of ceremonies, the guests, and the dancers with complete impartiality. Even when they all depart, the light shines to reveal their absence.

What is not consciousness (formless) in the three states because the three states are created out of the consciousness?   The three states cease to exist without the consciousness.  The seeker, seeking and his destination all are one in essence.

There is only need to realize the whole universe in which we exist is created out of the Soul or the consciousness.  On the standpoint of the Soul the innermost Self, the universe is mere illusion.  Thus on the standpoint of the Soul the innermost Self, no second thing exists other than consciousness. Thus, the consciousness is ultimate truth or Brahman.  The Brahman is God. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar