When you identify with something, a false concept of "I" arises, which is the ego. If you stop identifying, and if the time is right, you may realize that an infinite self is expanding endlessly behind it, or perhaps not yet.

If you can realize it, that is oneness, but if you don't realize it, it means you don't know oneness.

This is not about "stopping" thoughts.

There are many people who know this intellectually but do not actually know oneness. There are many people who study religion or philosophy in university and claim to "know," but they may actually just be "objectifying" it and thinking they know.

This area is often misunderstood.

In the case of oneness, as mentioned earlier, the identification of thoughts and the self can also be said to be "the same," but that is only a oneness-level identity. What is commonly called "I" is the ego, and the ego is a false concept of "self," which is the basis of the jiva in yoga. By stopping the identification of "thoughts" and "I," which is the beginning of that false concept, if you are ready and the time is right, you may realize the infinite consciousness/self that is expanding behind it.

If the time is not right, it simply becomes "the ego disappears," and the ego, which has lost its place, will seek various survival strategies and try to prolong its existence. It will make various excuses and look for ways for the ego to remain. And it will convince itself that "I already know eternal oneness," even though it has not yet achieved that state or knowledge, and arrogantly believe that it "already understands" it. This is a common occurrence for beginners, so don't worry too much about it.

Even if you study various things in academia or religion, and claim to know oneness, in many cases, you are simply "already understanding" it as a reaction of the ego, and you don't actually understand it. That is often the case.

No matter how much you explore "what is the self" intellectually, if you cannot open your heart as a preparation for the vast consciousness of infinite oneness, you cannot see it. In the first place, oneness means that obstacles on your own side are unnecessary, but most people have them.

Furthermore, there are even people who use this kind of understanding to distance themselves from others. It may be a form of "mounting," or perhaps, it is used to keep others away, or for the sake of one's own ego. Believing that one "already understands" oneness or religious theories itself creates a separation, objectifying the other. Even though it should be oneness, the concept of "oneness" becomes isolated knowledge, floating in the air, like a sign hanging on a wall.

True oneness is to let go of the false identification of the self with thoughts. When a thought arises, it is reflected in the mirror of the self, creating the notion that it is oneself. Simply letting go of that false notion is what is needed.

However, when I say this, a certain number of people may immediately connect it to commonly circulated knowledge and think, "Yes, it's about stopping thoughts." But that is not what it means. Those thoughts and perceptions themselves are necessary functions of the mind, and should be used effectively when needed. They are tools, not "me." However, in many cases, people identify with thoughts and the self, believing "I think, therefore I am."

Even if these individual points are understood, it is often difficult to put them into practice. It is not enough to simply understand; one must actually let go of the false identification of the self with thoughts. However, in many cases, people simply understand and think, "I already know," (due to the ego's self-defense mechanism). The ego is protected, the ego is maintained, and one believes, "I already know. I have already achieved oneness." This state continues for a long time. This is likely the destination for most people. Truly achieving oneness is rare.

There is a story like this in an old folktale.

An angel and a demon heard a story about oneness from a wise person. Both the angel and the demon quickly understood it, but the angel questioned, "I understand it, but do I really know it?" and eventually arrived at the answer. On the other hand, the demon thought, "Oh, so that's what it is," and believed that it already knew the answer. As a result, the demon did not arrive at the answer.

This kind of thing happens frequently.

And there are many people who say nice things to justify their own actions.

The true goal is something very simple, but even when people realize this, few take the first step towards that goal.

Most of the time, they are defending their ego, nurturing their ego, and continuing to cultivate a false sense of knowing.