Advaita is an ancient Hindu philosophical school of thought that has been around for more than 5,000 years. Its central tenet is that the true, ultimate reality cannot be known through any one individual view or concept, and that understanding comes through the realization that there is only One ultimate reality underlying all phenomena. It encourages people to use their own experience, judgment, and logical reasoning to discover the truth of this all-encompassing reality.
The Sanskrit term ‘Advaita’ translates directly as ‘not two’, and this reflects the central premise that there is only one ultimate reality, and that everything else is an illusion or an interpretation. The key goal of Advaita Hinduism is to free oneself from the illusion of the material world, so that the individual can gain access to a more profound level of spiritual understanding.
At the heart of Advaita philosophy is the idea that everything and everyone is connected, and that all individual awareness can be seen as part of a singular awareness. This singular awareness is often referred to as Brahman. As such, Advaita postulates that all individual consciousness is ultimately One, and that in order to realize this, one must understand the true nature of the Self and merge one’s individual awareness with that of the all-encompassing Brahman.
Advaita teachings focus on the notion of non-duality, the idea that all living things are interconnected, and that the world is ultimately One. This is often referred to as ‘Advaita Vedanta’, referring to the fact that its teachings stem from the Upanishads and the Brahmasutras, ancient Hindu texts written over 2,000 years ago. This emphasis on non-duality is reflected in the Indian philosophical concept of ‘aham brahmasmi’, which suggests that all individual souls are included in the soul of the universe.
A primary teaching of Advaita is that of ‘neti neti’, which translates as ‘not this, not that’. This is used to point out the limitations of the material world, and the idea that it is impossible to make sense of the world using the material tools we have available. This teaching emphasizes the idea that the true, underlying reality is beyond the bounds of the material world and can only be accessed through the deeper understanding of the ultimate truth.
Advaita Hinduism also lays great emphasis on the importance of meditation as a way of achieving enlightenment. Meditation is seen as a way of helping the individual to discover their true Self, and to gain access to the higher level of understanding that comes with awareness of the true underlying unity. Meditation is often used to help the individual focus on the inner Self and free themselves from the illusions of the material world.
Advaita Hinduism is an ancient philosophical school of thought that is still widely practiced today. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the ultimate reality beyond of the material world, and of using meditation and contemplation as ways to access this truth. Through this, individuals are thought to gain access to a deeper level of spiritual understanding.
3 Major Principles of Advaita Hinduism
The three major principles of Advaita Hinduism are non-duality, unity of everything, and freedom from the material world. The concept of non-duality encompasses the idea that all living things are interconnected and that the world is ultimately One. Oneness is further explained by the concept of aham brahmasmi which suggests that all individual souls are part of the soul of the universe. Finally, freedom from the material world is achieved by understanding the ultimate reality beyond it, and by using meditation to gain access to this truth.
The Stages of Advaita Teaching
Advaita teaching is divided into three distinct stages, each of which is important for gaining a better understanding of the ultimate truth. The first is understanding the true nature of the Self. This involves examining one’s own beliefs and actions in order to gain insight into the ultimate truth. The second stage is the understanding of all living things as One, including the idea of aham brahmasmi. The last stage is the attainment of freedom from the illusions of the material world, which is achieved by understanding and recognizing the underlying unity of all living things.
Closing of the Mind Gate
Advaita philosophy suggests that in order to gain access to the ultimate truth, one must close the ‘mind gate’ by freeing oneself from the material world. This is done by focusing one’s attention and thoughts inward, and by cultivating the understanding of oneself and all living things as interconnected. This helps to free the individual from the illusions of the material world and access a deeper level of spiritual understanding.
Tools for Practicing Advaita
There are a number of tools for practicing Advaita, including different forms of meditation, contemplation, study of the Upanishads and Brahmasutras, chanting of mantras, and yoga. Meditation is particularly important in Advaita Hinduism, as it is thought to help the individual to focus on their own thoughts and to gain access to a higher level of understanding. Contemplation is another essential practice of Advaita, as it encourages the individual to reflect on the interconnectedness of things and the ultimate truth of reality.
Understanding the Upanishads and Brahmasutras
The Upanishads and Brahmasutras form the basis of Advaita philosophy, and understanding them is key to gaining a better understanding of the Advaita truth. The Upanishads are collections of spiritually-focused dialogues, stories and mantras that date back over 5,000 years. The Brahmasutras are a set of foundational Hindu texts written over 2,000 years ago, which form the basis of Advaita teachings. Through understanding these texts, individuals can gain insight into the insights referred to in the teachings of Advaita.
Connecting With the Guru
In Advaita Hinduism, connecting with a guru is essential in order to gain access to a higher level of spiritual understanding. A guru is a spiritual teacher or leader who can help the individual to understand the teachings of Advaita. They provide assistance and guidance in understanding and engaging with the material, and can help to open the mind gate and connect the individual with the ultimate truth. Connecting with a guru is an important part of Advaita practice, as it can help to provide insight and clarity.
