Advaita Vedanta 101: “What is Vedanta?” by Swami Sarvapriyananda (Book Summary)

Embracing the Stillness: A Gentle Introduction to Advaita Vedanta

In a world that often rushes past, where the clattering of busy lives fills the air like relentless waves, there lies a sanctuary of wisdom awaiting to be discovered. Solutions to our incessant yearning for understanding can be find in the deep philosophical teachings of Advaita Vedanta. The essence of this ancient tradition invites us to pause, breathe softly, and explore profound questions about identity, existence, and harmony.

In the pages of What is Vedanta?, Swami Sarvapriyananda skillfully unravels complex ideas, guiding us toward a nuanced understanding of the self and our connection to the universe. As we explore the teachings within, let’s take a moment to drift into this world and savor the richness it offers.

What Vedanta is Not

Swami Sarvapriyananda begins by shedding light on what Vedanta is not. It is vital, he suggests, to understand this not as a physical journey but a psychological and spiritual transformation.

“It is not a journey in space or time, not a journey from one reality to another or from one object to another, but it is right here and right now. It is who or what we are right now.”

Not a Journey in Space

In the realms of Vedanta, one finds that the spiritual journey…

“The spiritual journey of Vedanta is not a journey in space i.e, it is not a journey from one place to another.”
“In Vedanta, it is not that Brahman is there, not here. The Vedantic journey is not a journey from here to there.”
“Vedanta speaks about a reality that is both here and there. In fact, space itself is included in the conception of the Absolute.”

Not a Journey in Time

This philosophy urges us not to frame our spiritual quest within the constraints of time…

“When you say after death you will see God… even in Yoga, it is said that after samadhi you will be free.”
“Vedanta does not say that. Vedanta is not a journey in time.”
“It is here and now … Vedanta tells us the Absolute is right here and right now.”

Not a Journey from One Object to Another

The essence of Vedanta challenges the notion of separation, affirming…

“The spiritual journey in Vedanta is not even a journey from one object to another. It is not as if I am something and Brahman is something else, that I need to attain.”

About Vedanta

Rising from this foundation, we find a clearer understanding of what Vedanta is…

“Vedanta understands the spiritual journey as one from ignorance to knowledge… From questioning, ‘what I am, what this universe is, what is the point of all this’, to realizing the truth with clarity and conviction.”

Meaning of the Word Vedanta

To grasp the depths of this philosophy, it’s essential to understand its linguistic roots…

‘Veda’ = the ancient fundamental texts of Hinduism.
‘anta’ = the end (the final conclusion of the Vedas).
‘Vedanta’ = the end of the Vedas.

The Heart of Hinduism

At the core of the spiritual landscape of Hinduism, Vedanta emerges as a guiding light…

“Vedanta is at the heart of Hinduism … consisting of various schools which underlie the various Hindu sects.”
“In practice, one will find that it is based on some school of Vedanta or the other.”

Triple Textual Foundation of Vedanta

Swami Sarvapriyananda further elucidates the roots of Vedanta through its classical texts…

“The traditional definition of Vedanta is this – the knowledge you get from the texts called the Upanishads …”
“The Bhagavad Gita is the essence of the teachings of the Upanishads and is considered a part of the canonical texts of Vedanta.”
“Vedanta comprises the Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita … called the triple foundation of Vedanta.”

Advaita Vedanta

The philosophy of non-duality finds its voice in Advaita Vedanta…

“Our core philosophy is the Advaita Vedanta (meaning: Non-dual Vedanta) studied through Sri Ramakrishna’s life.”
“Shankaracharya’s commentary on the Brahma Sutras is the foundation for Advaita Vedanta.”

Tat Tvam Asi (You are That / That Thou Art)

As we transcend the foundations of understanding, we encounter the profound declaration of…

“Vedanta is Tat tvam asi ‘that thou art’, and all that follows from it.”

Understanding Tat Tvam Asi

“You can describe Advaita Vedanta in just one sentence – ‘tat tvam asi’ – You are That.
“This is what is meant by Tat tvam asi… You, the Self, are the witness of the three states of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep.
“Vedanta shows you how you are not the body, or the mind … the moment you see that you are not body-mind, the limitations imposed by them disappear.”

The God-Oriented vs. Self-Oriented Spiritual Approaches

The nuances of spirituality unfold in two distinct paths…

God-centered spiritual approach: Involves the search for God, often leading to a dualistic perspective.
Self-centered approach: An introspective inquiry that questions ‘Who am I?’ and leads to a deeper understanding of self.

Bringing Both Approaches Together

Within this framework, the unity of self and the universe shines brightly…

“The reality you reach through the God-centered approach, and the reality you reach through the Self-inquiry approach, is exactly the same.”
“Upon enlightenment, you will realize Brahma Satyam, Brahman alone is real.”

Swami Vivekananda’s Practical Vedanta

In an enlightening extension of this wisdom, we turn to the contributions of Swami Vivekananda…

“Vedanta is Swami Vivekananda’s conception of oneness of existence and the divinity within, expressed as practical Vedanta.”

“The deepest meaning of philosophy is Jnana Yoga, the inquiry into reality …”
“When you inquire into the ‘thou’, or the individual, you come to the divinity within yourself.”

He invites each of us to discover how the divinity nestled within each of us resonates with the world around…