SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT IN VEDANTA

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

These three concepts are not mutually contradictory, but successive steps in spiritual realization.  Sri Ramakrishna pointed out that the third and last step, Advaita, was attained when the aspirant’s true self, the Atman, unites with Brahman.

This last step is not difficult to grasp intellectually, but that is all it is, an intellectual understanding.  The thinking mind sees everything in terms of subject and object, the seer and what is seen, for example.  In Advaita, however, the subject and object are the same thing.  The seer and that which is seen are identical.