Advaita Vedanta and Hindu Schools of Philosophy (Darshanas)

Advaita Vedanta is a premier non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy, popularised by Adi Shankara in the 8th–9th century, which teaches that the individual soul (Atman) is identical to the ultimate reality (Brahman). It asserts that only Brahman is absolute, unchanging reality, while the material world is Maya (empirical illusion). The school focuses on realizing this oneness to attain Moksha (enlightenment).Advaita Vedanta liberation (Moksha) is achieved by removing ignorance (avidya) to realize the self is identical to Brahman. The primary path, Jnana Yoga, involves three essential steps: Sravana (listening/studying scripture under a guru), Manana (rational reflection/doubting), and Nididhyasana (deep, uninterrupted meditation/abiding in truth). These, supported by viveka (discrimination between real and unreal) and vairagya (dispassion), lead to direct, intuitive recognition of the non-dual Self. 

One of the difficulties we encounter when trying to meditate are thoughts. Philosophical and spiritual ancient traditions compare thought to a restless monkey and the Self is the beginning of all thoughts. The first thought is “Me or I” and the other thoughts continue, keeping our mind in constant movement. Thus the set of all our thoughts is the Self.Also, is important to practrice Pratyahara to calm the mind.

Pratyahara is the fifth limb of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga, defined as the conscious withdrawal of the senses from external stimuli to turn the mind inward. Often described as the "bridge" between external practices (asanas, pranayama) and internal meditation, it allows for deep concentration and mental stillness by managing sensory intake, awakening our spiritual body. Our human aura is our true spiritual body.Source:Advaita Vedanta, The Scientific Religion - Swami Vivekananda