Statement of purpose of Advaita Ashrama

I thought of sharing this statement of purpose of Advaita Ashrama, an institution under the aegis of The Ramakrishna Math & Mission. Deep & intense introspection on this statement very clearly indicates the noble mission, the intense focus, & dedication of this wonderful institution towards its purpose.

Advaita is the philosophy of India. It is the philosophy of unity, of oneness of beings, of Nonduality, of fearlessness, of strength. It empowers man to question the very fundamental assumptions about life, & still gives the freedom to live life to the fullest. It is that philosophy which gives man the ownership of his most important purpose - his own total freedom & complete possession of himself. It is the philosophy of Moksha (liberty) & yet makes man aware of his responsibility to live responsibly. It is the philosophy which sets man free from his Karma (the universal principle of causation) & yet makes him a Karmayogi. It is the philosophy which elevates man to the state of the Supreme Being. It is the philosophy of experience, of independent verification thru' every individual's personal experience. It is the philosophy which unites man with the Truth & mercilessly destroys the veil of ignorance (Maaya) in his mind. It is the philosophy which makes man transcend space, time, & causation, & yet gives every individual his space to live. It is that philosophy which makes man responsible & accountable to his own destiny. It is the philosophy which has the power to unite the Hindu, the Muslim, the Christian, the Jew, the Sikh, & yet advocates & gives freedom to each one of these to be true to his own Faith.

So, here goes the statement of purpose of the Advaita Ashrama...

In Whom is the Universe, Who is in the Universe, Who is the Universe; in Whom is the Soul, Who is in the Soul, Who is the Soul of Man; knowing Him—and therefore the Universe—as our Self, alone extinguishes all fear, brings an end to misery and leads to Infinite Freedom. Wherever there has been expansion in love or progress in well being, of individuals or numbers, it has been through the perception, realization, and the practicalization of the Eternal Truth—THE ONENESS OF ALL BEINGS. "Dependence is misery. Independence is happiness." The Advaita is the only system which gives unto man complete possession of himself, takes off all dependence and its associated superstitions, thus making us brave to suffer, brave to do, and in the long run attain to Absolute Freedom.Hitherto it has not been possible to preach this Noble Truth entirely free from the settings of dualistic weakness; this alone, we (The Advaita Ashrama) are convinced, explains why it has not been more operative and useful to mankind at large.To give this ONE TRUTH a freer and fuller scope in elevating the lives of individuals and leavening the mass of mankind, we start this Advaita Ashrama on the Himalayan heights, the land of its first expiration.Here it is hoped to keep Advaita free from all superstitions and weakening contaminations. Here will be taught and practiced nothing but the Doctrine of Unity, pure and simple; and though in entire sympathy with all other systems, this Ashrama is dedicated to Advaita and Advaita alone.