Advaita Vedanta

Vedanta is not a theory nor practice. It is just you.

– Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati

Hindu culture is based on a body of Knowledge known as Veda. This knowledge is organized in four books, known as Rigveda, Yajurveda, Sāmaveda and Atharvaveda. Vedanta is the end portion of the Vedas and the texts contained in this portion are known as the Upanishads.

Vedanta examines the essential nature of the Self through a method of Listening, Reflection and Contemplation. Immortality and Freedom from the cycle of life and death are revealed as the true nature of the human being and any form of life.

The traditional study of Vedanta is based on the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gītā and Brahma Sūtra along with the commentary of the Sage Ādi Śankarācārya.

The Vedanta classes at ATMA VIDYA are regular, systematic and in keeping with the Vedic Tradition. Sonia Novaes guides the student through the classical Vedanta texts, in an oral exposition, following the traditional methodology of teaching.

In every class, the Sanskrit texts are chanted first by the teacher and repeated by the students, and then translated into Portuguese and unfolded in the light of the Advaita Tradition. The teacher brings that knowledge to the daily life of his students, bridging the cultural differences through examples and a clear language, so that assimilation of the teaching is possible, and the students have the opportunity to see for themselves all the wisdom that is revealed in each verse studied.

The participant can follow the classes online, or listen to recordings of the classes at his own pace. Students are invited to bring up their doubts at class time, or send an email. All doubts and questions will be clarified and addressed by the teacher.