The article examines Gaudapada's Mandukya Karika and Shankara's commentary to argue that human suffering (Samsara) arises from perceiving duality (subject-object distinction). Freedom (Moksha) is attained through nonduality (Advaita), realized by constant discrimination between the real and unreal. This leads to 'no-mind' (Amanibhava), a state where the mind ceases grasping desires upon recognizing oneself as Existence, Consciousness, Bliss (Brahman). This non-grasping mind constitutes liberation, a Vedantic Samadhi distinct from yogic mystical states.
Modern science and Advaita Vedanta philosophy both treat the physical body and mind as material, yet the question persists of how insentient matter becomes conscious. Consciousness studies have become multidisciplinary, engaging brain scientists, neuroscientists, psychologists, philosophers, physicists, computer scientists, and AI researchers. The Upanishads, texts from about two to three thousand years ago, clearly described consciousness and its nature. This article discusses and demonstrates the nature of consciousness according to Advaita Vedanta philosophy, also covering the modern scientific standpoint. It attempts to answer the hard problem of consciousness from the Advaita Vedanta perspective.