Although the Foundation draws on the great traditions of the Western world for guidance (Christianity, the Platonic tradition), a principal source of help comes from the tradition of Advaita Vedanta.  Simply put, this is the philosophy of unity.  "Advaita" means "not two."  Its essence is that there is no difference between the individual consciousness of any being and the universal creative consciousness that orders the universe. 

Advaita Vedanta comes from the East, yet this does not make it eastern, for its message is universal.  Advaita has never taken the form of a religion, and thus has never engaged in converting anyone from any religion.  It is simply a guide to lead the sincere aspirant to Universal Truth; to understand one's own nature, and that, of course, is open to anyone of any religion, race, income level, or gender.