There are two questions that must be answered before the Ultimate Knowledge dawns on anyone. One, who is the one seeking the Knowledge (the seeker)? The second question is, where is the search going on? These two questions form the essence of all inquiry. In fact, once these questions are answered, then there are no further questions to be answered for the one who is the questioner dissolves or disappears, so to speak.
Let us look at the first question. Who exactly is the seeker? The seeker (the 'me' or the ego) is essentially only a thought. But, when confronted with the above declaration, the seeker refuses to accept it quoting all kinds of objections. It is because the ego fears to be discovered as a false entity. So much has been invested in this false sense of being an entity, that the very questioning of its existence makes the ego fight back with all its might. However, the fact is that when the ego (the seeker) is confronted with the question of its validity, the ego vanishes like a ghost.
You, the reader, obviously think that you are the body sitting in front of the computer and reading this material. But, are you really the body? Have you ever asked this question in sincerity? Most probably not. For most people, reading Advaitic literature is a form of entertainment. To some this is just something interesting. To others, this is something strange, something different from the mundane literature out there. The average reader looks at it as a philosophy, and not as a means of liberation, which is what it really is.
So, getting back to the question, who exactly is cognizing right now? Can the body which is made up of elements see and comprehend i.e. cognize? Can water and minerals, which is what the body is made up of, read or cognize? So, you say " my mind is cognizing". So, who is the "my"? Obviously, someone apart from the mind since the mind is employed or owned by this "me". Can you please verify the exact location of this "me"? Cannot find it, eh? In the absence of this "me", who is reading, seeing, cognizing? And what exactly is the mind other than a bundle of thoughts? Can there be a mind/ thought in the absence of consciousness? In consciousness, the mind, which is nothing but a bundle of thoughts, appears. The primary thought is the thought "I am". This thought establishes the concept of an individual called "me". This primary concept is the basis for all other thoughts and concepts. But on close inspection and inquiry, this "me" is but a thought. Now, can a thought actually see, read, cognize? So what is happening is that cognizing is happening in consciousness, and along comes the "I-thought" which then claims to be the one doing the cognizing. In reality, the "I" is only re-congizing. So, the seeker is actually just a thought of being an individual, who believes that he/she is doing everything. But, in reality, all is happening in consciousness. There is no actual do-er. Thoughts cannot see, cognize, or do. Thoughts are transient and fleeting and have no permanency.
The second question is also easy to answer. Do you ask any questions in deep dreamless sleep? No way, you say. Is it not true that in deep dreamless sleep, there are no thoughts including the thought of 'I', no world, no worries, no questions? In the state of waking, along with the appearance of the mind, arise various questions such as "who am I?", "why is this world so miserable and unjust?", " I don't like this or that", or "why am I not getting enlightenment?". In deep dreamless sleep, can you deny your existence? You exist for sure but without any questions or seeking. So, it is only with the appearance of the mind, that the whole search for your self began. Till then you were actually quite happy! No kidding. Who can deny that they are not happy in the state of deep dreamless sleep? In fact, you wake up and say "I slept happily"!! Therefore, the search and the seeker are in the mind. The REAL YOU is neither the mind nor the body, nor the seeker. Just BE.
