Advaita means non dual, and is the opposite of Dvaita which means dual. Normally we think of the external world as an entity different from us. It is practically every one's opinion that there was this universe initially in some form or other and then man eventually came on to this scenario either through evolution or creation or by whatever means that may be. This is what Dvaita or dualism says. However Advaita negates this view and insists on the oneness of the whole universe as well as the human mind. Advaita stipulates that the Brahman (which is the entire universe) and the Self (which is the distinct individuality of the human mind) are absolutely the same and not different from each other, as it seems. According to Advaita, there never was a time when the universe existed alone without the human mind. Both arrived on the scene simultaneously. As a result when the self is not in the picture, the universe also goes into oblivion. In other words, when the self vanishes, even the question of existence of the universe can not arise. The most important requisite to understand Advaita, is a mind free from any prejudice, presumption and assumption. Such a mind should also be able to view things from a totally different perspective.
---- While the basic premise of science is that space, time, matter and energy will exist anyway independent of man and will always exist in some form or other, Advaita totally negates this viewpoint and has firmly established that space. time, matter, energy or just any entity exists only because of self, or awareness, or consciousness or basically the human mind. Everything exists only as thought or awareness or idea. This awareness is interpreted as the universe by our senses. While science or common sense tells us that the universe exists absolutely and independently and then we happen to observe it as such, advaita tells us that the universe exists basically as a concept within the mind and its phenomenal existence arises only later as interpretation by our senses. Thus self not only permeates the entire universe, but also is practically the universe in toto.
---- One can definitely raise questions like, 'Did not the universe exist in the first place and did not the human mind emerge on the scene later? Were you not born to your parents when they were living here much before your birth? How and why did the self or the universe come to be there in the first place? etc'. These questions arise because of extrapolation of our perception when the self is around. When the self exists, it exists as the whole universe. But when the self is not around, even the very question regarding the existence of anything or any entity cannot arise because even to ask a question, you need the presence of self. As existence of anything is a mental concept, it would be fundamentally and basically wrong on our part to imagine that anything would have existed without the self at anytime in view of the fundamental fact that the self is the only source for all concepts. A concept can arise at anytime and can vanish also at anytime. We have absolutely no difficulty in accepting that and it needs no proof. As such, all these questions, which imply the non-existence of self at any particular time frame, turn out to be untenable. When self is not around, even time does not exist. When time domain is absent, no question can be raised. Whatever be the question that is raised, it can always be raised only by the self implying the existence of self and taking for granted the existence of self and also answered by the self only. Thus while Advaita is able to answer all questions which arise in a curious mind, science is unable to do so because science has made some presumptions which are wrong.
--- As advaita has been preached and practiced for a long time in India, it is only natural that there are different opinions even among advaitins regarding the ultimate reality. Brahman is called the ultimate reality and when the self is around, Brahman and self are one and the same and exist as the phenomenal universe as per general advaitic belief. Some advaitins aver that when the self is not around, the Brahman exists as 'avyayam' or an indefinable entity or in a mindless state and it is beyond the capacity of mind to conceive it. I do not agree to this viewpoint because in my opinion there is no such thing as a mindless state nor is it possible for any entity to exist in a state beyond the capacity of mind to conceive. Any state exists because of mind only and any entity exists only because the mind is able to conceive of that and so there cannot be a mindless state basically. Some may argue that the state of deep sleep is a mind less state. However when we wake up from sleep, we become aware of the state of sleep concluding that the state of sleep existed. As such, mind is required to even recognize that state. So deep sleep is not a mindless state after all.
---- As self-realisation is fundamentally a personal viewpoint, opinions as to the means and ways to achieve it are bound to vary. Some advaitins are of the strong opinion that a full study of vedas and the upanishads is a must to understand the oneness of the self and the universe. They also firmly believe that it is necessary to perform long hours of meditation or tapas in order to achieve self-realisation. In my opinion both are not compulsory, but optional. Meditation helps in strengthening the mind. It does not confer any supernatural powers whatsoever by any means. Study of the upanishads helps to a great extent, but again it is not compulsory. Further there are divergent viewpoints in the upanishads themselves, as they are not authored by one individual. Several people have contributed to them over centuries and hence their views are also bound to vary
----- Self-realisation is a simple exercise that is achieved through logical steps of mental analysis coupled with a keen sense of participation and a deep involvement. It is just the realisation that the self and the universe are one and the same. Many people however, compulsorily feel that this self-realisation is not their cup of tea and the best that they can do in this matter, is to faithfully follow the command of their Swamijis or Gurujis. i.e., those people with flowing beards wearing saffron or white robes. I have nothing but contempt for these self styled Gurujis who are obsessed with just a one point agenda.i.e, taking as many people as possible for a ruthless ride in the name of God. While they are all supposed to have renounced the need for money and material comfort, in reality however their need for money, fame and comfort is much more than that of ordinary people. Their followers have shamelessly outsourced the job of self-realisation to these Gurujis who are just making merry at the cost of their followers. This seems to be an ever-increasing trend as there is a plethora of swamijis now days compared to a few years back. The worst thing a truth seeker can do is to faithfully follow the foot steps of someone else. Truth seeking is an intensely personal affair and it can be achieved only by the application of one's own mind.
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