Final answer:
Advaita Vedanta, as taught by Shankara, is significant as it offers a non-dualistic perspective on reality that equates the individual self with the ultimate reality, Brahman, which influences the pursuit of liberation in Hindu spiritual practice.
Step-by-step explanation:
Shankara's concept of non-dual reality (Advaita Vedanta) is significant in Hindu thought regarding liberation (moksha) as it posits that the ultimate reality (Brahman) is singular and all-encompassing. In this view, the individual self (Atman) is not separate from Brahman, but rather an expression of the same reality. This understanding has profound implications for Hindu spiritual practice, as liberation becomes a matter of realizing one's oneness with Brahman, rather than viewing liberation as escaping from the cycle of rebirth into a distinct, personal heaven or paradise.
The Advaita perspective influences the way individuals pursue spiritual goals, suggesting that practices such as meditation, self-inquiry, and philosophical study can lead one to experience non-duality and thus achieve liberation. Shankara challenges dualistic conceptions of reality found in other Hindu schools like Samkhya, which distinguishes between consciousness (purusha) and matter (prakriti) and suggests that liberation occurs when one is free from the entanglement with matter. The non-dualistic approach emphasizes an inner transformation that reveals the ultimate unity of all existence.
The Advaita philosophy contributes to the diverse landscape of Hindu thought and provides a foundation for various practices aimed at achieving liberation. It underscores the importance of knowledge (jnana) and the realization of one's true nature as the path to liberation.