Advaita Vedanta is a non-dualistic school of philosophy within Hinduism that emphasizes the idea that the individual soul, or Atman, is identical to the ultimate reality, known as Brahman. It teaches that the perception of separation between the self and the universe is an illusion, or Maya, and that realizing this unity leads to liberation, or Moksha. Founded by the philosopher Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, Advaita Vedanta draws from ancient texts like the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. Its teachings encourage self-inquiry and meditation as means to understand one's true nature and attain spiritual enlightenment.