The English translation of this work of Shankara, will be of help to beginners in understanding the fundamental teachings of Advaita. References to quotations and explanations are given in the notes.
The important thing is how much less you think of the body, of yourself as matter -- as dead, dull, insentient matter; how much more you think of yourself as shining immortal being. The more you think of yourself as spirit, the more eager you will be to be absolutely free from matter, body and senses. This is the intense desire to be free.
-Swami Vivekananda