THE ABSOLUTE

In Vedanta, Brahman is sometimes referred to as the Absolute, or the Godhead, or the Ground of Being.

Brahman is conceived as either impersonal (“without qualities”), or personal (“with qualities”), depending on the philosophical school.  For example, Advaita philosophy considers Brahman to be without form, qualities, or attributes, while Vishishtadvaita and Dvaita philosophies understand Brahman as having infinite auspicious qualities.

Brahman cannot be seen or heard but can be known intuitively.  This is to say that it cannot be known by empirical means, i.e. as an object of our consciousness. This is because it is our own consciousness.

It may be said, therefore, that moksha, liberation, does not mean knowing Brahman intellectually. Rather it is realizing suddenly that one is and always has been Brahman.  Indeed, in Advaita’s view, a liberated person is one who sees that Brahman is his own true self.

Generally, Vedanta rejects the notion of an evolving Brahman since Brahman is already everything else it could be.