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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of atman

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

Example Sentences

Hinduism is noted for its beliefs in an eternal soul, or atman, and the law of karma, or action, which promises rewards or punishments in the next life for actions in this life.

From Washington Times • Oct. 25, 2022

Union of the atman with brahman can be reach though yoga, meditation, rituals, and other practices.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

The teacher distinguishes between atman, the individual soul of a living being, and Brahman, the world soul that contains and unites all atmans.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

It is a symbol of oneness such as is found in many religions, e.g., the Hindu atman.

From Time Magazine Archive

“They’re beautiful. You have the atman of a child.”

From "The Stars Beneath Our Feet" by David Barclay Moore