Advaita Vedanta, rooted in the ancient Upanishads (India’s spiritual texts), is a philosophical tradition that blossomed under the teachings of Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE. Shankaracharya systematized and popularized its core principles, offering a unifying perspective in a time when diverse religious and philosophical ideas flourished.

Philosophically, Advaita Vedanta teaches non-duality—the understanding that all of existence is one indivisible reality, Brahman. The individual self (Atman) is not different from Brahman, and the perception of separation is an illusion (maya). This illusion is overcome through self-inquiry, contemplation, and the guidance of a teacher, leading to the ultimate realization of oneness.