atman
Hindu eternal essence
In Hindu philosophy, atman is the individual soul or self—the eternal, innermost essence of a person that persists through reincarnation.
It is often understood as identical with or a manifestation of Brahman, the universal soul.
The concept is central to Vedantic thought: The teaching holds that atman and Brahman are one. (Capitalized Atman is an alternate form.)
Innermost animating essence
- selfhoodIndividual identity, personhood
- inner selfPrivate essential identity
- true selfOne's genuine identity
- individualityUnique personal character
personhood · ego · self-awareness · self-concept · self-identity · introspection · autonomy · consciousness
Inherent quality or disposition
- beingExisting as something
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
- substancePhysical material with mass
- coreCentral essential portion
kernel · heart · true nature · unchanging · eternal · immutable · imperishable · deathless
Release from constraint
- enlightenmentProfound spiritual awakening
- nirvanaRelease from cyclical existence
- samsaraCycle of rebirth
- reincarnationSoul's rebirth after death
transmigration · karma · rebirth · bondage · freedom · self-realization · release · awakening
Focused attention practice
- yogaMind-body exercise discipline
- samadhiProfound meditative absorption state
- self-inquiryExamining one's own mind
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
neti neti · mantra · pranayama · mindfulness · spiritual discipline · discrimination
Vital breath energy
- life forceAnimating vital energy
- respirationGas exchange in organisms
- animating forceWhat makes things move
- vital energyAnimating force within
Hindu philosophy of ultimate reality
- UpanishadsVedic philosophical scriptures
- AdvaitaHindu philosophy denying separation
- nondualityAbsence of fundamental separation
- onenessState of being unified
unity · absolute · infinite · ultimate reality · transcendence · immanence
soul
Innermost animating essence
- selfhoodIndividual identity, personhood
- inner selfPrivate essential identity
- true selfOne's genuine identity
individuality · personhood · ego · self-awareness · self-concept · self-identity · introspection · autonomy · consciousness · awareness
nature
Inherent quality or disposition
- beingExisting as something
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
- substancePhysical material with mass
core · kernel · heart · true nature · unchanging · eternal · immutable · imperishable · deathless · uncreated
liberation
Release from constraint
- enlightenmentProfound spiritual awakening
- nirvanaRelease from cyclical existence
- samsaraCycle of rebirth
reincarnation · transmigration · karma · rebirth · bondage · freedom · self-realization · release · awakening
meditation
Focused attention practice
- yogaMind-body exercise discipline
- samadhiProfound meditative absorption state
- self-inquiryExamining one's own mind
contemplation · neti neti · mantra · pranayama · mindfulness · spiritual discipline · discrimination
prana
Vital breath energy
- life forceAnimating vital energy
- respirationGas exchange in organisms
- animating forceWhat makes things move
Vedanta
Hindu philosophy of ultimate reality
- UpanishadsVedic philosophical scriptures
- AdvaitaHindu philosophy denying separation
- nondualityAbsence of fundamental separation
oneness · unity · absolute · infinite · ultimate reality · transcendence · immanence
- spiritghost, specter, phantom, apparition, soul
- spiritualitysacred, enlightened, divine, holy, spiritual growth
- Dharmic Traditionsdharma, karma, moksha, samsara, nirvana
- Hindu spiritualitymoksha, karma, dharma, yoga, mantra
- HinduismVishnu, Shiva, Krishna, Ganesh, Ganesha
- Dharmic Conceptskarma, dharma, nirvana, moksha, samsara
atmanmaya
Phenomenal world's deceptive nature
non-self · ego · false self · illusion · ignorance
atmanbody
Physical structure, living thing
matter · flesh · corporeality · physical form · materiality