Is there a God?

The core of Advaita Vedanta reveals that the question itself is based on a fundamental misunderstanding. The ultimate reality, **Brahman**, is not a "God" separate from the universe, nor is it merely "consciousness" as an attribute of something else. Rather, Brahman *is* the very substance and source of all existence, including consciousness itself. The apparent duality between God and reality dissolves when we realize that everything is a manifestation of this one, non-dual (Advaita) reality. The world, with all its forms and beings, is a superimposition (an **adhyasa**) upon Brahman, like waves on the ocean. The individual self (**Atman**) is, in essence, identical to Brahman.

A movie screen appears to show a variety of scenes, characters, and emotions. However, the screen itself remains unchanged, the constant substratum upon which the entire drama unfolds. Similarly, Brahman is the unchanging reality upon which the entire universe, with its perceived God and play of consciousness, is projected. The screen is not separate from the movie, nor is the movie separate from the screen; they are two ways of looking at the same thing.

**Sources used:**

Brahma Sutras

Vivekachudamani

Mandukya Karika

— Wisdom from https://vedantaguru.com