Guidance from an ancient philosophical and spiritual tradition

In 1961 the founder and head of the School, Leon MacLaren, made contact with one of the leading figures of an ancient philosophical and spiritual tradition in India, Shri Shantananda Saraswati, who was the Shankaracharya of the northern seat of that tradition. The first meeting in 1965 opened up a very significant new dimension to the School's studies and practices.

Guidance was received from the Shankaracharya on the study of the ancient philosophical and scriptural writings of India which form the basis of the philosophy called Advaita Vedanta, and on the practice of meditation. The philosophy of Advaita Vedanta is that behind all the apparent differences there is an underlying unity and that it is in the understanding and experience of this unity that Man finds fulfillment and happiness. Advaita Vedanta is now the foundation of the philosophical teaching presented by the School.