atman

[ aht-muhn ]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of atman¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of atman¹

from Sanskrit ātman breath; compare Old High German ātum breath

Example Sentences

One of the key ingredients of Tantra is the discovery of atman, or true self.

From The Daily Beast

Atman, or Spirit, is held to be an eternal principle, from which the Selves or Souls are differentiated.

From Project Gutenberg

Remember Vivekananda's use of the Atman: it is indeed not a scientific use, for we can make no particular deductions from it.

From Project Gutenberg

He already knew to feel Atman in the depths of his being, indestructible, one with the universe.

From Project Gutenberg

Atman means "breathing;" paramatman "the highest breathing."

From Project Gutenberg

This one essence or Self (Atman) permeates the whole Universe.

From Project Gutenberg