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What is the ultimate goal of Advaita Vedanta?
The ultimate goal of Advaita Vedanta is to attain liberation or moksha, which is the state of ultimate freedom from suffering and the cycle of rebirth. This liberation is achieved by realizing the true nature of the self (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) as one and the same.
According to Advaita Vedanta, the root cause of all suffering is the ignorance of our true nature. We identify ourselves with our body, mind, and ego, which are all impermanent and subject to change. This identification leads to attachment, desires, and the constant pursuit of worldly pleasures, which ultimately leads to suffering.
The philosophy of Advaita Vedanta teaches that the true self, the Atman, is eternal, unchanging, and identical to Brahman, the ultimate reality. This realization of the non-dual nature of the self and Brahman is the key to attaining liberation. It is not something to be acquired or achieved, but rather to be realized through self-inquiry and introspection.
Through the practice of meditation, contemplation, and self-inquiry, one can gradually eliminate the false identification with the body, mind, and ego and recognize the true self as pure consciousness. This realization brings about a state of inner peace, contentment, and detachment from the material world.
Once the individual has fully realized the non-dual nature of the self and Brahman, they are liberated from the cycle of birth and death. This state of liberation is described as the ultimate goal of human existence in Advaita Vedanta.
In conclusion, the ultimate goal of Advaita Vedanta is to attain liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth by realizing the non-dual nature of the self and Brahman. This realization brings about a state of inner peace, contentment, and eternal bliss.