"Qualified non-dualism" is a philosophical concept that is central to the school of thought known as Vishishtadvaita, which originated in ancient India. This term can be broken down into two parts: "qualified" and "non-dualism."

Firstly, "qualified" refers to the idea that while everything in the universe is ultimately connected and part of the same divine consciousness, there are also distinct differences and individualities that exist within this oneness. In other words, everything is interconnected, but at the same time, there are unique qualities and characteristics that make each thing or being different from one another.

This concept is often compared to the relationship between the ocean and its waves. The ocean represents the ultimate reality or Brahman, while the waves are the individual beings or jivas. Just as the waves are constantly changing and have their own unique characteristics, they are still a part of the ocean and ultimately connected to it.

Secondly, "non-dualism" refers to the belief that there is only one ultimate reality, and everything else is simply a manifestation of this reality. This means that in Vishishtadvaita, there is no separation between the individual self (jivatma) and the universal self (paramatma). They are seen as one and the same, with the individual self being a part of the universal self.

However, this does not mean that the individual self loses its identity or becomes completely absorbed into the universal self. Instead, it is believed that the individual self retains its unique qualities and characteristics while also being united with the universal self.

In summary, "qualified non-dualism" in Vishishtadvaita refers to the belief that while everything in the universe is ultimately connected and part of the same divine consciousness, there are also distinct differences and individualities within this oneness. This concept emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things while also acknowledging the uniqueness of each individual being.