Advaita is an ancient spiritual tradition that first arose in India and has been passed down to the present day by an unbroken line of teachers.  Advaita — a Sanskrit word meaning 'non-dual' or unity — is more a philosophy than a religion and is open to persons of any culture or faith.  Through reasoning, practice, and meditation, Advaita leads to a full experience of the fundamental unity within ourselves, in all beings, and throughout creation.  Advaita also offers practical guidance for living truthful, effective, and fulfilled lives.

The main tenets of Advaita are:

1. that the Absolute — the ultimate underlying causal principle of all being and existence — is the one ever-present reality, conscious and infinite
   
   
2. that the creation, in all its forms, is an expression of this spiritual Unity
   
   
3. that the Self of every being is identical with this Absolute
   
   
4. that the purpose of life is to realize this identity through experience, while remaining engaged in the activities of life, and
   
   
5. that this realization gives constant peace, poise, happiness, and the ability to share these experiences with others.