AVAITA - The philosophy of non-dualism.

To realize the Self (Atman), The Absolute (Brahman) that dwells in all beings, sometimes referred to as: God, The Truth, Buddha, etc.

The Essential Question: “Who AM I?” 

To find the answer to this question we need to be quiet and still and discern what is real from what is un-real.  Imagine our minds being like a lake.  On a calm day we can see the reflection of our face perfectly reflected in the still water.  Say for instance a speedboat crosses that lake. The water then becomes disturbed and the image of our face becomes distorted or even disappears because of the waves and ripples that run through it.  It’s the same with our minds when the mind is disturbed and full of thoughts we cannot experience the stillness of the lake that reflects the true reality.  By being in the direct presence of stillness and peace we can then recognize that stillness and peace within ourselves, which is the ‘Truth’ because what is more honest than silence itself? 
When we truly experience the ‘Self’ in it’s essence, which is beyond the conceptual mind and physical body the veil of duality is removed from the one who experiences and the experience itself. We then realize we are not separate from Creator, Creation or anything else that in fact we are ‘The Eternal Spirit’ that resides in the heart of all living beings. 

TAOISM - The philosophy of nature embodied in peace, simplicity humility and love. 

The real Tao cannot be talked about, named or given a form, yet it is expressed in all things named and all forms given.  Tao is peace and stillness but it is also the source of all activity. Never ending in its manifestations it operates everything.  Returning to itself, it seems to do nothing. When we return back to our original nature ‘The Source’ we are following ‘The Way.’  There is The Way of Man, which is ambition and desires: by every passing day we acquire more and more, filling ourselves.  Then there is The Way of Tao, which is returning back to Source the un-manifest: by every passing day we become less and less, emptying ourselves.  Returning to that, which is nameless and natural without labels or forms…Freedom! 

That evasive Brahman is like the indescribable Tao.

The great Tao flows everywhere, both left and right.

All things depend upon it,
Yet it holds nothing back. 

It fulfills its purpose quietly,
And makes no claims.

It nourishes all things,
But is not their lord.

It has no ambition and is very small,
Yet all things return to it,

Without control, or command. 
Its title is ‘The Great,’

Yet shows no greatness…
Therefore so very grand!