Advaita is a Sanskrit word that literally means “not two”. Synonyms of Advaita are non-duality (nonduality, non duality). Advaita is not a philosophy or a religion. Non-duality is an experience in which there is no separation between subject and object; a “me” and the rest of the universe; a “me” and God. It is the experience of consciousness, our true nature, which reveals itself as absolute happiness, love and beauty. Consciousness is defined as that, whatever that is, which is aware of these very words right here, right now.
Advaita transcends all religions, philosophies and nationalities. It doesn’t divide, but rather unites. Fanatic members of different religions can never agree about their concepts of God, but sages from different backgrounds can never disagree about their shared experience of non duality. The founders of all great religions were sages. Nonduality is at the core of Hinduism, Sufism, Zen Buddhism, Kashmeeri Shaivism and of the teachings of Christ:
Hinduism: “That which is not (the objects as separate from the Self) never comes into being, and that which is (The Self) never ceases to be”. (Baghavad-Gita)
Hinduism, Kashmeeri Shaivism: “Oh Marvel! This illusion, although expressed in multiplicity, is no other than consciousness-without-a-second. Ha, all is but pure essence aware of itself.” (Abhinavagupta)
Sufism: “There is nothing but God”
Zen Buddhism: “Question: When a sound ceases, does awareness cease?Answer: Awareness never ceases” (Huihai)
Hinduism, Kashmeeri Shaivism: “The universe awakens when You awaken and vanishes when You withdraw. Therefore the totality of existence and non-existence is one with You.” (Abhinavagupta)
Christianity: “Jesus said: “I” is the light (of awareness) that shines upon all things. “I” is the All from which everything emanates and to which everything returns.” (Thomas, 186)
Enlightenment is the sudden recognition that non-duality is, has always been, and will always be the reality of our experience. Duality is an illusion. Consciousness is not private and personal, but impersonal, universal, and eternal. There is no limited personal entity, no conscious ego. The ego is a perceived object, not the all perceiving awareness.
Self realization is the subsequent stabilization in the peace, happiness and freedom of our natural state. The world, seen in the light of impersonal awareness, reveals itself as a permanent miracle, a divine display that celebrates its invisible source.
