The reflection in the mirror persists, yet we do not think it has an independent reality

The self is even less substantial than that. Nothing can be any more or less substantial than the reflection in the mirror or nonduality is false. Dreams, shadows and reflection have little influence on the separate entity's dissolution, it seems.

We are waiting for the smoke to clear when we are the smoke. Spirituality and nonduality is a big to do over literally no 'thing'. Simply realize that the only 'thing' that ever forms is the idea of persisting.