What Are The Basic Tenets Of Advaita?

The essential and most basic identity of the Atman and brahman is the most important and basic tenet of the advaita. Brahman is the substratum or rocklayer on which all phenomena are experienced or based, and also the antaryAmin, or God, or the One Lord who dwells in all beings. The innermost Atman of Humans, their real Self, is considered the same as this antaryAmin, and is said to be identical to Brahman.

Liberation which in Advaita terms is called moksha, consists of realizing this identity. Realizing it is not merely a matter of intellectual or literal understanding, but as something that is to be grasped and experienced by the individual in his/her own personal capacity. Yogic practices also help in the road towards this realization, because they also help the seeker (who seeks this identity) in practising the control of his or her senses, and in directing or leading the antahkaraNa, which is the 'internal organ' inwards. The antahkaraNA consists consisting of the intellect, the mind, the I – ness and awareness.

The practice of ashTAnga-yoga is suggested to seekers by teachers of the advaita. The seeker has to be prepared with mandatory credentials - traits such as fortitude, moderation, ability to focus one's attention in a passionate way, an ability to differentiate between the Real and the non-Real, insouciance, and an aspiration for freedom.

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