Advaita Vedant is a part of Indian philosophy, Here we can study and learn about Brahma, Atman , and Maya. It is started by Shri Adi Shankara charya .In Advaita Vedanta, the ultimate goal is to realize the unity of the individual self and Brahman through spiritual practices such as meditation and self-inquiry. The practice of Advaita Vedanta involves seeking to understand the true nature of reality and the role of the ego in creating the illusion of separation. The term Advaita translates to non-dual, indicating the core philosophy of this tradition: the idea that there is no fundamental difference between the individual self and the ultimate reality . According to Advaita Vedanta, the apparent diversity of the world is an illusion, and the true nature of reality is a unified whole.
Core Principles:
At the heart of Advaita Vedanta is the belief that the individual soul, or Atman, and the supreme reality, or Brahman, are one and the same. This doctrine opposes the notion of dualism, which separates the self from God or a higher power. Advaita Vedanta asserts that all distinctions we perceive between ourselves, others, and the world are ultimately illusory. The aim of this philosophy is to transcend these illusions, or Maya, to experience the ultimate truth.
*Brahma-
In Advaita Vedanta, Brahman is understood as the ultimate, formless, and infinite reality that pervades everything. It is beyond the limits of human perception, language, and intellect. Brahman is not a personal god, but rather an impersonal force that is omnipresent and eternal. The Chandogya Upanishad famously summarizes this concept with the phrase "Tat Tvam Asi," or "You are That," affirming that each individual is essentially one with this ultimate reality.
Maya:
Maya is the concept that explains the illusions and misunderstandings that cloud our perception of reality. According to Advaita Vedanta, Maya is the force that causes individuals to see themselves as separate entities, leading to suffering and ignorance. Maya is often compared to a dream; just as a dream feels real to the dreamer, the world of separation and multiplicity appears real to those who are unaware of the unity of Brahman and Atman. Realizing that Maya is an illusion is essential to achieving liberation, or Moksha.
Atma -
Atma represents the true self, beyond the physical body, mind, and ego. It is the divine essence within every individual, which remains unchanged and undisturbed by the fluctuations of the external world. Advaita Vedanta teaches that, although we appear as separate individuals, our true nature is identical to Brahman. Recognizing this unity between Atma and Brahman leads to self-realization, a state of awareness where the illusions of Maya fall away, and the individual experiences the world as an undivided whole.
The Path to Self realisation:
Advaita Vedanta emphasizes knowledge as the path to liberation. The journey involves a deep understanding of the teachings found in the Upanishads and a commitment to self-inquiry. Through reflection and meditation, an individual can recognize the oneness of Atman and Brahman. Adi Shankaracharya's teachings include practices like Viveka and Vairagya , which help aspirants transcend the illusions of Maya and realize their unity with Brahman.The problem with self-awareness is a simple one: the ‘self’ we are aware of may not be acceptable to us. In fact, it’s likely to be a highly unsatisfactory self. If we assume ourselves to be our body, mind, emotions or ego, we inevitably experience a sense of limitation, for all these components are by their very nature limited.
This pseudo-self, which, upon investigation, is simply a bundle of unquestioned assumptions, masks our true nature.
Vedanta tells us that we’re far more than we ever dared imagine — that we are already whole and complete — and that our sense of limitation comes from identifying with what we are not.
Perhaps the oldest form of psychology on the planet, Vedanta is a science of consciousness that uses impeccable logic to help us understand the nature of the self, consciousness, and reality itself.
Universal in scope, it deals with the questions mankind has wrestled with since the very dawn of time:
Who am I?
What am I?
Where did the universe come from?
What is the purpose of life?
Again, Vedanta is not a philosophy. It’s not attributable to any one person or group of people. It’s a body of knowledge which has been revealed over time, carefully refined, and guarded for millennia.
It’s not a religion, either. Although it deals with theological topics, it works without any of the religious trappings. As such, it’s not necessary to have an affilitation with Hinduism or any other religion.
All that’s required is an open and questioning mind.The word Vedanta is derived from the words Veda and anta, which together mean ‘the end of knowledge’.
Vedanta is based upon the teaching of the ancient Indian Vedas, which form the basis of Sanatana Dharma (or what we call ‘Hinduism’).
These texts, of which there are four, date back thousands of years and are said to be “revealed knowledge”. In other words, they are not the product of the human mind, but were heard by the ancient rishis (seers) in deep meditation and passed down through countless generations in the form of Sanskrit mantras, in a way that made the teaching impervious to change and distortion.
The Vedas can be divided into two portions.
The first and most voluminous section of each Veda is called the karma kanda. This deals with the fulfilment of one’s earthly goals and desires. It prescribes rituals and actions to aid in every aspect of worldly life. You might say that the karma kanda of the Veda deals with the lower rungs of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs; the basics of worldly living.
The second section, the jnana kanda, takes the form of the Upanishads.
The word ‘Upanishad’ means ‘sitting at the foot of’; in this case, a teacher of Vedantic knowledge. This knowledge focuses not on worldly endeavour, but spiritual attainment in the form of Self-realisation and liberation.
There are many different approaches to practicing and understanding Advaita Vedanta, and it can be a complex and nuanced philosophy. However, at its core, Advaita Vedanta is a path towards spiritual realization and understanding the true nature of reality.