“ Yes Vedanta precisely unfolds the profound Knowledge of the Seers to willing learners… ”
Vedanta, specifically Advaita (non-duality) is a tradition sourced in Vedas of India — revealing the depth of ever-true wisdom within the three major texts: Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Brahma Sutras.
Yes Vedanta's purpose is to systematically unfold the methodology of these texts, so the student can arrive to the same understanding, vision or realization of the absolute reality as oneself — right here and now.
What is Advaita Vedanta?
Vedanta is not a philosophy. Not a school of thought. Not a system of beliefs which can be negated from different angles or some time in the future. Nor is it a set of contentions.
It is a means of knowledge that reveals the ultimate truth about yourself and reality. This truth is that you are the whole reality right now.
Though this fact is always true, ignorance causes one to search for an ultimate reality as though it is separate.
It's like a wooden chair meditating to discover wood — oblivious to the fact that it's entire being is already the wood, including the entire universe of wooden furniture. Or the wave searching for some extraordinary reality, when in fact the whole ocean of waves is of one reality alone; H2O.
Therefore Vedanta uses a systematic methodology to remove this ignorance and establish absolute clarity about the nature of reality. It reveals through direct experience that your true nature is the totality. The search for an ultimate reality is erroneous since you, the seeker, are what is sought. Action and practice are only required to eliminate false perceptions — not to become something you are not.
Enlightenment or Liberation
In short, one is shown directly that I AM the whole. This understanding is enlightenment; the most distorted, misunderstood and irresponsibly used term in the spiritual world.
Erroneous notions like, the 4th state, “exploring states of consciousness”, raise the coiled serpent, make the body immortal, travel worlds, see God in your third eye — the list is countless.
That's why only the mature, rational and sensible seekers are attracted to Vedanta. Those in realms of “exploring consciousness”, working to attain Krishna/God in heaven, raising the Kundalini — are still in process of maturity.
Thus dvaita, religion or Yoga is only a stepping stone to the final which Vedanta solves.
Until then, ignorance causes one to look for the “THE reality” as though it's separate from oneself. The error motivates one to apply countless actions in hopes to discover something bigger then oneself right now.
Vedanta removes all forms of ignorance through a proven methodology of knowledge resulting in clarity. You recognize yourself as the total, universal consciousness itself.
Not about Becoming, But Being
In conclusion, Vedanta is not about becoming, but about being. Being what you always are. It is a means to recognize your true nature as the whole, the limitless, the eternal. This is enlightenment according to the Advaita Vedanta tradition — to know thyself as the Self of all.
For these reasons, we are committed to revealing your non-dual nature — a tradition deeply rooted in Sanskrit terminology, as the English language often falls short in effectively conveying these profound concepts.
Learn more about Yes Vedanta.
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.
Just 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.
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.
For 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:
- Aitareya
- Bṛhadāraṇyaka (Brihadaranyaka)
- Chandogya (Chāndogya)
- Isha (Īṣa)
- Kena
- Katha (Kaṭhopaniṣad)
- Prashna (Praśna)
- Mandukya (Māṇḍūkya-Upaniṣad)
- Mundaka (Muṇḍaka)
- Taittiriya (Taittirīya)
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:
- Advaita Makaranda
- Aparokshanubhuti (Aparokṣānubhūtiḥ)
- Atma Bodha
- Drg Drsya Viveka
- Panchadasi (Pañcadaśī)
- Tattva Bodha
- Vedanta Dindima
- Vedantasara
- Vivekachudamani
Complimentary Material:
Few more Vedantic classics:
Related: [URLParam param='wisdom']
Om Tat Sat
– Bhagavad Gita 17.23