VEDANTA SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT

The three main schools of thought in Vedanta, one or more of which are found in other religions as well, are dualism (Dvaita), qualified nondualism (Vishishtadvaita), and nondualism (Advaita Vedanta).

These three concepts are not mutually contradictory, but successive steps in spiritual realization, the third and last being attained, as Sri Ramakrishna pointed out, when the aspirant loses all consciousness of self in union with the Godhead.