Monism

==Definitions==
There are two sorts of definitions for monism:
* The wide definition: a philosophy is monistic if it postulates unity of the origin of all things; all existing things return to a source that is distinct from them.{{sfn|Brugger|1972}}
* The restricted definition: this requires not only unity of origin but also unity of [[Substance theory|substance]] and [[essence]].{{sfn|Brugger|1972}}

Although the term ''monism'' is derived from Western philosophy to typify positions in the [[mind–body problem]], it has also been used to typify religious traditions. In modern Hinduism, the term "absolute monism" has been applied to [[Advaita Vedanta]],{{sfn|Chande|2000|p=277}}{{sfn|Dasgupta|1992|p=70}} though Renard points out that this may be a Western interpretation, bypassing the intuitive understanding of a nondual reality.{{sfn|Renard|1999}} It is more generally categorized by scholars as a form of absolute [[nondualism]].<ref>Stepaniants, M. (2002). ''Introduction to Eastern Thought''. United States: AltaMira Press. p. 155.</ref><ref>Roberts, M. V. (2010). ''Dualities: A Theology of Difference''. Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. {{isbn|9780664234492}}. p. 21. Discusses why Advaita Vedanta is nondual while Kashmir Shaivism is monist.</ref><ref>Frawley, D. (2015). ''Shiva: The Lord of Yoga''. United States: Lotus Press.</ref>