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The Sanathana Dharma philosophy has three broad schools of thought, Dvaita, Vishista Dvaita and Advaita. All three schools believe in the individual soul (Atma) and the universal soul (Paramatma)

Dvaita (duality) school believes that the Atma is separate and the Paramatma is separate. The Atma is governed by the Paramatma, but remains separate through all its births and existence.

Vishista Dvaita (Qualified duality) believes that the Atma separates from the Paramatma, and remains separate in all its worldly births, but ultimately joins and becomes one with the Paramatma.

Advaita ( Non-dualism) believes that the Atma and Paramatma are one and the same, and the division is only in perception, due to Maya (illusion).

Hindu culture should be differentiated from Hindu religious culture – i.e – Hindu religion (Sanathana Dharma) Hindu culture need not include religion. Culture is a broader concept of which religion is only one aspect.

Atheism is an (accepted) part of Hinduism the culture, but obviously cannot be true of Hinduism the religion.
(In a lighter vein, its like someone said,’Thank God, I am an atheist!’)
Theism, agnosticism, atheism etc are states of the mind with relation to belief in a God or a divine entity. This is present in any human in any culture.

Once you are within the Hindu religious fold, then the streams of Hindu philosophical belief (strictly philosophy) are Dvaita, Visishta Dvaita and Advaita. These should not be confused with the ritual and social aspects of Hindu religion and theology.

Hinduism

Six Astika schools

  • Sankhya (non-theistic duality)
  • Yoga (self discipline or self realization)
  • Nyaya (The philosophy of logic and reasoning)
  • Vaisesika (The Vedic atomic theory)
  • Karma Mimansa (elevation through the performance of duty)
  • Vedanta (the conclusion of Vedic revelation).

Sixth school has branches:

  • Advaita
  • Dvaita
  • Achintya Bheda Abheda
  • Vishishtdvaita
  • Shuddha dvaita and
  • Dvaita Advaita

Of these six, the first four are the ones which are mostly followed.

Other schools:

  • Pasupata
  • Saiva
  • Pratyabhijña
  • Raseśvara
  • Īśvara
  • Pāṇini Darśana
  • Charvaka
Most of these schools of thought believe in the theory of Karma and rebirth. Moksha (salvation) is believed to be the liberation from the cycle of birth and death and is the ultimate goal of human life.

Nyaya Philosophy

Nyaya school follows a scientific and a rational approach. Sage Gautama is the founder of this school. Nyaya school banks upon various pramanas (mechanism of attaining knowledge). It believes that gaining knowledge through the five senses is the sole way of attaining liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Sankhya Philosophy

Sankhya is the oldest of all philosophies put forth by the sage Kapila. It is a dualistic philosophy with Purusha (soul) and Prakriti (nature) in it. Advaita Vedanta derives its base from Sankhya School. Sankhya also devolves philosophical basis for Yoga. It emphasizes the attainment of knowledge of self through meditation and concentration

Yoga Philosophy

Yoga school introduces the methods of the discipline of body and mind. Sage Patanjali is the founder of Yoga. Emancipation of Purusha from Prakriti by self-awareness through the discipline of body and mind is conceptualized by Yoga. It is believed that practising Ashtanga Yoga is the way to relieve oneself from past sins in order to make way for liberation.

Vaisheshika

Vaisheshika school deals with metaphysics. It was founded by the sage Kanada. It is an objective and realistic philosophy of the Universe. According to the Vaisheshika school of philosophy, the universe is reducible to a finite number of atoms, Brahman being the fundamental force causing consciousness in these atoms.

Purva Mimamsa

Purva Mimamsa school believes in the complete authority of Vedas. It is based on sage Jaimini’s Mimamsa Sutras. It emphasizes the power of yajnas and mantras in sustaining the activities of the universe. It states that a human being can attain salvation only by acting in conformity with the principles of Vedas.

Uttara Mimamsa (Vedanta)

Vedanta school is a monistic school of philosophy that believes that the world is unreal and the only reality is Brahman. The three sub-branches of Vedanta are Advaita of Shankaracharya, Vishishta Advaita of Ramanujacharya and Dvaita of Madhwacharya. Uttara Mimamsa is based on Upanishads (the end portions of Vedas).

I recommend please read the following books to understand hinduism better.

  • Understanding sanatan dharma by NK TAWAKLEY
  • The essentials of Indian philosophy by M Hiriyanna
  • The Hindu mind by Bansi Pandit

Satyamshakti Spirituality Journal

Nowadays, people describe Kundalini as an individual phenomenon or a personal possession. But that’s not how Vedic and Tantric traditions view it; they see it as the universal Shakti (cosmic energy) that resides in each and every one of us. In truth, it is the divine force which is inseparable from the ultimate consciousness. While people talk about it casually as if it is like having a cup of coffee, Kunalini awakening is not a casual or everyday event. It must be guided by Grace (Kripa) and proper discipline under a realized and accomplished Guru. The Kundalini Awakening process is deeply connected to our inner purification, surrender to the supreme force, and transcending the ego—not having a "conversation" with the energy as though it is separate from oneself. Critical Issues: Kundalini does not belong to you; if you speak about Kundalini as “my energy,” it means that you don’t understand what Kundalini is, at all. Kundalini, by its very nature, is universal and transcendent. The moment you identify it as "mine" shows the existence of an ego (no surrender), which is counterproductive to spiritual evolution. Vikalpa (Imaginations): Most of the sensations that you narrate—heat, spontaneous movements (kriyas), and rushes of energy— could be related to pranic activity or nervous system responses. However, in the absence of the proper guidance of a qualified spiritual master, it is impossible to know whether this is truly Kundalini or a mere mental projection (vikalpa). Advaita Vedanta says - experiences are not the goal; realization of the self as Brahman, beyond all phenomena, is. One can advice you the techniques to manage energy, it is important to understand that Kundalini awakening is not something to be "managed" by the ego. The entire process of “genuine” awakening process requires surrender—not to the energy—but to the universal truth. Multiple traditional texts like the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali or the Hatha Yoga Pradipika stresses repeatedly, the necessity of discipline, selflessness, and surrender to divine will. Functioning in the World: The notion of "reminding the energy" of your human limitations means a fragmented view of yourself. Kundalini awakening leads to the realization that the body, mind, and world are part of the same divine reality. When properly awakened, in its true sense, Kundalini transcends dualities—it does not require negotiation but dissolves the separateness, conditions and biffircuatioms you continue to cling to. Subtlety is the Mark of True Awakening: If Kundalini awakening is true and genuine, it is a transformative process marked by inner stillness, wisdom, and humility—and definitely not dramatic physical sensations or personal narratives. Our great yogis and rishis of ancient times achieved this state through years of tapas (austerities), discipline, and surrender—not through mere casual or individualistic efforts. Tough yet Respectful Reminder: It’s not a fad, definitely not; Kundalini is not an entertaining phenomenon to “control” or to seek validation for in casual discussions. It is the serpent power of the Divine Mother, a sacred process that shatters the ego and reunites the individual with the universe. Mistaking transient sensations or emotions as Kundalini awakening reduces this profound reality to mere personal experience which it is not. Your journey, even as it is personal, would benefit from deeper humility and grounding in the wisdom of the Vedic and Yogic traditions. Seek guidance from authentic scriptures and realized masters, and strive to transcend the ego's narratives about "my energy" or "my awakening." One last point: Kundalini awakening is not the end goal; the ultimate goal is Self-Realization—the state where all dualities, including "me" and "energy," dissolve into the infinite truth. May you be guided by light, wisdom, and truth. Shivoham (I am Shiva).
Kundalini the cosmic energy
May 14, 2025 0Comments
Nowadays, people describe Kundalini as an individual phenomenon or a personal possession. But that’s not how Vedic and Tantric traditions view it; they see it as the universal Shakti (cosmic energy) that resides in each and every one of us. In truth, it is the divine force which is inseparable from the ultimate consciousness. While…
Ashta Matrikas Maa Brahmani
Ashta Matrikas Maa Brahmani
April 14, 2025 0Comments
Ashta Matrikas Maa Brahmani, The Divine Source of Wisdom & Knowledge. Among the revered Ashta Matrikas, Maa Brahmani is the embodiment of divine wisdom, intellect, and spiritual insight. As the Shakti of Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, she holds the power to awaken our higher consciousness, sharpen our intellect, and guide us toward…
64 yoginis and tantra
64 yoginis and tantra
February 18, 2025 0Comments
64 Yoginis and Tantra The 64 Yoginis (Chausath Yoginis) are a very important part of Tantric practice, more so in Shakta Tantra and Kaula Tantra practices, where the 64 yoginis are worshipped as manifestations of Shakti, the divine feminine energy. Each of the 64 Yogini represents a specific divine energy, power, or cosmic principle,…