The Self is the only reality

 

"The Self is the only reality that always exists, and in its light, all things are seen. We forget this and direct our attention to the external world. The hall is illuminated whether there are people in it or not, whether they are performing a play or nothing is happening. It is the light that allows us to see the hall, the people, and their performance. We are so absorbed by the objects or phenomena revealed by the light that we fail to pay attention to the light itself. Like the torches in the hall that always burn, the light of Consciousness or the Self is always present—whether in the waking state or the dream state, where things appear, or in deep sleep, where nothing is seen. What we must do is focus on the seer, not the seen, not on the objects, but on the light that reveals them."

— Ramana Maharshi.