Book excerpt: The quotes in the book Powerful Quotes from Sankara were carefully selected for those who wish to have the Direct Experience of the true Self whose nature is Infinite Eternal Existence-Awareness-Bliss and for those who wish to attain Liberation. That Direct Experience does not occur in the realm of thought or the intellect. The quotes are practice instructions for those who wish to go beyond all theory into the perfect experience that brings all sorrow and suffering to its final end. Adi (the first) Sankara, also known as Sankaracharya (Sankara the Teacher), was one of the most prominent teachers in the religion the west calls "Hinduism." Hinduism was in a great decline during the time in which Sri Sankara lived and many view Sri Sankara as having saved and revitalized Hinduism. Some of the current teachings that are called the teachings of Non-duality trace their origin to or show a heavy influence from Adi Sankara.