"Qualifications for Advaita?!?

Advaita vedanta recommends the practice of karma, bhakti and raja yoga before one
undertakes jnana yoga. In formal advaita vedanta, it is said that the karma-kanda
(ritualistic form of Hinduism) precedes the jnana-kanda (non-dual inquiry). Advaita even
outlines certain qualifications for the effective study of Truth. And advaita is not alone in
this kind of recommendation. In Kabbala (Judaism's non-dual path) it is often said that the
incoming student must be 40 years old, married, and "have a bellyful of Torah." In
Madhyamika, a branch of Tibetan Buddhism, it is said that the student must never be
exposed to the sublime teachings on emptiness without already practicing compassion.
Not only that, but it should be that "tears come to their eyes at the very mention of the
word 'emptiness'." Age-old wisdom and experience has shown that the personality
characteristics one gains in other yogic pursuits greatly facilitate the quiet mind and
equipoise that allow the deep experience of one's self as Self.

Qualifications -- Why??

The idea behind "qualifications" is not to bar or reject anyone from the pursuit of a
nondual path. Anyone may enter at any time. But the qualifications are to encourage a
quiet mind and balanced emotional outlook so that one can focus more effectively on the
inquiry into one's nature. The happiness and liberation indicated by the great nondual
world teachings are best realized when the only outstanding personal issue is liberation
itself. If the mind is busy with other things such as the satisfaction of worldly desires or
the attainment of emotional bliss states, then advaita will be derailed and co-opted to
serve these other purposes. Liberation must be sought for its own sake (or for the sake of
all beings), not as a means to another personal end.".............greg goode