“ Yes Vedanta unfolds the profound Knowledge of the Seers to willing learners… ”

Advaita Vedanta, non-dual wisdom, springs from the timeless Vedas gifted to humanity by ancient Indian seers. Within the lofty Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and Brahma Sutra texts — lies the pinnacle of metaphysical knowledge of the absolute Reality; consciousness. This is what Yes Vedanta answers, the existential question, “Who or what I am?”.

The aim of Vedanta is to systematically impart the methodology to one who desires liberation, or more commonly called enlightenment (moksha). 

This revealed spiritual knowledge methodically helps you gain direct experience and understanding of the limitless whole — that which is even the truth of time and space. This is the same vision realized by Adi Shankara and the illumined masters of the thousands years old tradition of Vedas. 

Traditional Vedanta is not mere philosophy, theory or mental gymnastics. Nor is it Vedanta learned in University philosophy classes — which is merely informative, but not transformative. Additionally, it's spiritual insights transcend human speculation, dogma and belief.

Vedanta cannot be contradicted for it reveals the eternal, intrinsic nature of oneself and the cosmos. It's wisdom rests upon infallible logic that withstands all attempts at refutation. No line of questioning, however sharp, can pierce the armor of its flawless reasoning.

Advaita Vedanta, Non-dualism, Metaphysics, Philosophy, Spiritual teacher
एकम् एव अद्वितीयम् — ekam eva advitīyam
“There is only One, without a second.” 
Chandogya Upanishad 6.2.1

Vedanta is an independent means of knowledge (pramana) that lays bare the ultimate Truth beyond names and forms. Here one discovers through direct insight, “I am Brahman, limitless consciousness, the totality of existence, ever-free and complete“.

What's denying you owning up to your limitless nature is ignorance – causing you to seek it as something within time and space. Vedanta alone removes this veil.

Raising Kundalini Won't Liberate You

Self-knowledge (atma-jnana) is knowing, “I am the whole, the non-dual Reality in which this world, including time-and-space, has it's existence”. This direct, assimilated, continuous understanding is liberation. 

Liberation is not attaining higher states of awareness, seeking Krishna in heaven, seeing special visions, attaining bodily immortality, nor a spontaneous Kundalini awakening. These experiences all obtain within time. You are that which is beyond time. Within time and out of time are two entirely different things. Such dualistic paths (Dvaita) are stepping-stones to Advaita Vedanta.

A Means to End Rebirth

In conclusion, Vedanta is not about becoming, but about being. It is about recognizing your true nature as the eternal, limitless “I” (Atman) – which is never subject to birth or death. This is the enlightenment expounded by the Advaita Vedanta parampara (tradition passed from guru to student) — to know your true self as the underlying Reality of all existence.

When the seeker approaches these universal teachings with trust and a beginner's mind, the import becomes clear. Finally freed from bondage and ignorance, one comes to see the entire world as an expression of God. This is moksha – liberation from the cycle of birth and death. 

Learn more about Yes Vedanta. Or start learning here.

Feedback from Students

Who am I? What am I not?

How is the universe created?

What came first?

If reality is without a second (non-dual) — why do I experience many (duality)?

What is the highest purpose of human birth?

How to know which decision is most appropriate?

What is the absolute, universal meaning of “Truth”?

What is the relationship between myself (jiva), world (jagat) and the Whole (ishvara)?

And most importantly, through what method do we unmistakably discern truth from falsehood?

Such questions have already been thoroughly resolved throughout texts of Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Brahma Sutras, Pancadasi, Tattva Bodha, etc.

As result of their irrefutable logic (which you'll learn about in the course) — the answers to above questions can't be negated from any point of view at any time.

Because upon investigation, you'll find they are pointing to the One reality which is true even now. Yet the aspirant's mind hasn't captured THE reality yet because of distorted notions.

Just like one is unable to clearly make out whether it's a rope or a snake due to insufficient light. So we feel, speak and act according to our mistaken projections, and not THE reality.

Because the margin for error between personal projections and the absolute reality is minuscule…

The knowledge of Vedanta does not make any unverifiable claim which you and I can't directly experience or discern for ourselves.

Nor is it asking to adhere to set of beliefs which can't be proven right now, here.

Nor is it a mystical lineage, philosophical discussion, or a religion.

Vedanta is an observation of WHAT-IS.

Isaac-Newton-gravity-discoverJust like Newton didn't create “gravity”. He only discovered what-is on bases of observation and contemplation.

Therefore gravity can't be considered a religion or a philosophy. It's is not owned by any author. It is a non-negatable fact.

It's existence remains independent and true – whether we think of it or not.

In the same way, Vedanta directly points out the one unchanging Truth of everything.

Consequently, Advaita Vedanta reveals the reality of self, of “I AM”.

And the method is done by a special kind of knowledge, called self-knowledge (brahmavidya / jnana-yoga). It's purpose is to free oneself from sense of limitation. From projection. From assumption.

Self-knowledge is free of personal biases owning to vast literature covering every possible angle of Reality.

Hence the only purpose of Vedanta is to show the qualified student…

THAT knowledge, once known, nothing else remains to be known.

However such knowledge is not always presented in it's entirety.

For example, in some cirtumstances, the teacher-guru will handpick parts one personally understand and stick with that.

But this attitude robs the devotee from hearing the full message. It doesn't address emotions. Bypasses psychology. Skips world of matter. Disregards science.

mind-intellect-disagreement-head-heart-disintegrated

This leads to contradictions. A disharmony in worldly engagements.

Neo-Advaita is a typical example of handpicking and avoiding the rest.

This results in spiritual bypassing.

One ends up discounting world duties, dharma, spouse, family, work — while proudly trumpeting “I'm spiritual “.

Is this what a rational, intelligent seeker wants? Self-denial or escapism are qualities of children. Not adults.

Life transformation requires a detailed investigation into one's thoughts. Discounting nothing.

And this is why devotee needs to be guided through the process of self-inquiry.

Otherwise life circumstances quickly overshadow our realizations. The progress seems to fade into the background.

For this reason, the student needs to stick to the tradition if he or she desires a complete spiritual metamorphosis.

What does “traditional” mean?

“Traditional Vedanta” means the knowledge is expounded as originally delivered, and how it's supposed to be taught for it to have it's intended effect (moksha).

It's important because a proper order is crucial for proper, whole and direct knowledge of oneself.

Else the truth remains partially assimilated. A case of superficial intellectualism. Or an enlightened ego.

It's like a person who learns arithmetic, but is never shown addition.

Consequence he will be a limited mathematician whose convinced “I figured it out “.

Face it, humans seek the path of least resistance.

The consequence of shortcuts is an artificial sense of security and freedom, justified as “spiritual awakening”.

Although worry not. The “happy awakened” bubble always bursts through passage of time.

incomplete-incorrect-spiritual-schoolsFor example once life throws addition onto our mathematician, he or she discovers there is no way of solving the equation.

In fact, nothing is faulty with one's ability or effort.

Instead the problem lies in ignorance of the missing knowledge. And once it's known, the equation is solved.

Again, to emphasize the cruciality in sticking with the tradition…

Can a doctor cure the patient's sickness with partial medical knowledge? No.

Perhaps the patient may be temporarily relieved. Although the disease will inevitably resurface – unless an informed diagnosis is conducted.

In the same way, only complete knowledge of Reality can fully and definitively destroy ignorance.

This is the purpose of traditional Advaita Vedanta as Yes Vedanta is dedicated to disseminating.

Main Texts:

Vedanta comprises of three primary texts, known as the triple canon (prasthanatrayi). They form the foundation of non-duality:

Upanishads (śruti; heard)

The ten principal are:

There are also around a hundred minor Upanishads like Amṛitabindu, Kaivalya, Śvetāśvatara, and others.

Bhagavad Gita (smṛti; remembered)

Bhagavad Gita is the essence of the Upanishads that teaches how to realize the highest – while living in the world. It consists of 700 verses across 18 chapters and is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata.

If the Upaniṣads (highest truths) be represented by cows, then Gītā would be the milk of the cows (essence of the truths) extracted by Kṛṣṇa (supreme inner Self; Atman) for the benefit of Arjuna (individual ignorant self believing is apart from the Whole) — who is unsure of the correct path in midst of Kurukṣetra (field of life).

Brahma Sutras (nyāya; logic)

Brahma Sutras (Vedanta Sutras) is the philosophical treatise of Vedanta that systematically lays out the philosophy of the Upanishads. It consists of 555 aphorisms across 4 chapters. It should be studied along with the commentary of Shankaracharya for a deep and comprehensive understanding of Advaita Vedanta (nondualism).

Supporting Commentaries:

There are many commentaries (prakarana grantha) written by some of the greatest Vedanta philosophers, like Adi Shankara and Swami Vidyaranya. Both contributed to clarifying many verses and principles from Main Texts above. They include:

Complimentary Material:

Few more Vedantic classics:

 

Related: [URLParam param='wisdom']

Om Tat Sat
– Bhagavad Gita 17.23