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atman

American  
[aht-muhn] / ˈɑt mən /
Also atma

noun

Hinduism.
  1. the principle of life.

  2. the individual self, known after enlightenment to be identical with Brahman.

  3. (initial capital letter) the World Soul, from which all individual souls derive, and to which they return as the supreme goal of existence.


atman British  
/ ˈaːtmən /

noun

  1. the personal soul or self; the thinking principle as manifested in consciousness

  2. Brahman considered as the Universal Soul, the great Self or Person that dwells in the entire created order

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of atman

First recorded in 1775–85, atman is from the Sanskrit word ātman breath, self

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

However, IFS incorporates a recognition of the self that is almost spiritual in nature — similar to the soul in Christianity or Atman in Hinduism.

From Salon • Dec. 7, 2024

Bivolaru’s group, initially known as MISA, for Movement for Spiritual Integration Toward the Absolute, was later known as the Atman yoga federation.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 2, 2023

In the past, Bivolaru has denied accusations of criminal activity and the website for the Atman International Federation for Yoga and Meditation calls some past allegations "fabricated facts".

From BBC • Nov. 28, 2023

Atman is an ancient term and has many meanings, but typically the term is translated as eternal self, soul, or even breath.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

Was it not Atman, He alone, who had created it?

From "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse

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