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Atman hinduism

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Brahman and Atman: That Art Thou

The Upanishads, the “wisdom literature” of the Vedas, are teachings on the origin and essence of the universe. Taking the form of dialogues between a teacher and a student, the Upanishads point to the reality that Atman (a person’s inmost soul) is also Brahman (the transcendent being/reality).

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The Upanishads, dating largely from the eighth to the 6th centuries BCE, are the “wisdom literature” of the Vedas. Most Upanishads take the form of dialogues between teachers and students. They turn from the rites of the fire altar to the question of the deeper, inner meanings of ritual. They explore speculative questions about the origin, basis, and support of the universe. “What is the cause? What is Brahman? Whence are we born? Whereby do we live? On what are we established?” So asks the seeker in the Svetasvatara Upanishad.

The teachers of the Upanishads point the way to a profound realization: Atman, the inmost soul or breath of life, is also Brahman, the ultimate reality that pervades the entire universe. Rea

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Ātman (Hinduism)

Hindu concept for inner self or essence as mere consciousness

For other uses, see Atman (disambiguation).

Ātman (; Sanskrit: आत्मन्) is a Sanskrit word for the true or eternal Self or the self-existent essence or an impersonal (it) witness-consciousness within each individual. Atman is conceptually different from Jīvātman, which persists across multiple bodies and lifetimes. Some schools of Indian philosophy regard the Ātman as distinct from the material or mortal ego (Ahankara), the emotional aspect of the mind (Citta), and existence in an embodied form (Prakṛti).[note 1] The term is often translated as soul,[note 2] but is better translated as "Self", as it solely refers to pure consciousness or witness-consciousness, beyond identification with phenomena. In order to attain moksha (liberation), a human being must acquire self-knowledge (Atma Gyaan or Brahmajnana).

Ātman is a central concept in the various schools of Indian philosophy, which have different views on the relation between Atman, individual Self (Jīvātm

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Brahman

Metaphysical concept, unchanging Ultimate Reality in Hinduism

Not to be confused with Brahma (the Hindu god), Brahmin (varna), Brahmana (a layer of text in the Vedas), Parabrahman (the "Supreme Brahman"), Brahmanism (the religion), or American Brahman (cow raised for meat).

For other uses, see Brahman (disambiguation).

In Hinduism, Brahman (Sanskrit: ब्रह्मन्; IAST: Brahman) connotes the highest universal principle, the Ultimate Reality of the universe.[1][2][3] In major schools of Hindu philosophy, it is the non-physical, efficient, formal and final cause of all that exists.[2][4][5] It is the pervasive, infinite, eternal truth, consciousness and bliss which does not change, yet is the cause of all changes.[1][3][6]Brahman as a metaphysical concept refers to the single binding unity behind diversity in all that exists.

Brahman is a Vedic Sanskrit word, and it is conceptualized in Hinduism, states Paul Deussen, as the "creative principle which lies realized in the

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