Advaita Vedanta is a way of thinking that teaches non-dualism, meaning everything is part of one whole.
In this view, the difference between our individual self, called Atman, and the universal spirit, known as Brahman, disappears when we realize they are actually the same. A wise teacher named Adi Shankaracharya explained this idea. He said that enlightenment, or understanding, comes from seeing this oneness.
In Advaita’s teachings, Brahman is the amazing, formless essence of the universe, and Atman is the individual soul inside each person. A famous saying in this philosophy is "Tat Tvam Asi," which means "You are That." This suggests that when we know ourselves deeply, we understand that we are part of Brahman. So, the journey to knowing ourselves is both personal and connected to everyone.
Even though Advaita is popular, it has critics from other philosophies like Vishishtadvaita and Dvaita.
Vishishtadvaita believes in a version of non-dualism but also argues for a personal God and sees differences between God and individual souls.
Dvaita, on the other hand, sees a clear separation between our individual souls and God, which challenges Advaita's idea that everything is one.
Shankaracharya’s writings on important texts like the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Brahma Sutras are the basis of Advaita Vedanta. These texts give deep wisdom about its ideas and how to apply them to gain knowledge and freedom.
Advaita Vedanta is a way of thinking that teaches non-dualism, meaning everything is part of one whole.
In this view, the difference between our individual self, called Atman, and the universal spirit, known as Brahman, disappears when we realize they are actually the same. A wise teacher named Adi Shankaracharya explained this idea. He said that enlightenment, or understanding, comes from seeing this oneness.
In Advaita’s teachings, Brahman is the amazing, formless essence of the universe, and Atman is the individual soul inside each person. A famous saying in this philosophy is "Tat Tvam Asi," which means "You are That." This suggests that when we know ourselves deeply, we understand that we are part of Brahman. So, the journey to knowing ourselves is both personal and connected to everyone.
Even though Advaita is popular, it has critics from other philosophies like Vishishtadvaita and Dvaita.
Vishishtadvaita believes in a version of non-dualism but also argues for a personal God and sees differences between God and individual souls.
Dvaita, on the other hand, sees a clear separation between our individual souls and God, which challenges Advaita's idea that everything is one.
Shankaracharya’s writings on important texts like the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Brahma Sutras are the basis of Advaita Vedanta. These texts give deep wisdom about its ideas and how to apply them to gain knowledge and freedom.