All those theories, schemas, transcendental hypothesoi and their basis is the single certain datum ‘I am’. This is what Nisargadatta Maharaj was told to meditate continuously on by his guruji. Ramana Maharshi became enveloped by the question ‘Who am I’. Others with strong faith in Vedic revelation skipped that question and dwelt in the imponderable mahavakya ‘Thou art that’.
The seeker veers into theory when he notices the connection between dreaming and the waking state.
“Just as the same jewel assumes different colours owing to its proximity to different (coloured) things, so also the Pure Consciousness assumes different forms on account of various adjuncts which are superimposed on It (in dream).
As in dream, so in the waking state different forms are superimposed on this Consciousness. It manifests the objects of the intellect when it performs actions produced by desires due to delusion.” (Upadesa Sahasri of Sankara, Chap 17 #16, 17)
Neither Ramana nor Nisargadatta would have spun out these theoretical webs in their initial stage of Atma Vichara ( Inquiry). That solid nut of data would have to be cracked first and the kernel of realisation enjoyed.
“Just as a magician comes and goes on an elephant (created by his own magic), the Self, though devoid of all motions, appears to be undergoing conditions such as the undifferentiated, dream, etc.” (#29 ibid)
