Adi Shankaracharya was the founder of my Hindu, Brahman, Smartha tradition. This tradition establishes a belief in Human Spirit/Soul or ‘ATMAN’ that is essentially FREE because of its Unity with the Divine Spirit. During Life, human Spirit is dependent upon external support. Freedom is the nature of the Spirit, but in the physical world, the Spirit may face confinement in a Prison.
Whole Dude - Whole Spirituality 