Atman
Usually translated Soul but better rendered Self. In the
Hindu religion, Atman means the union of the collective
human soul with God (Brahma), eventually merged in the absolute
totality of Brahman. It is believed that the soul is neither
body nor mind, nor even thought, but that these are merely
conditions by which the soul is clouded so that it loses its sense
of oneness with God. In the Upanishads it is said, The Self,
smaller than small, greater than great, is hidden in the heart
of the creature and In the beginning there was Self.
Sources
Davis, Roy Eugene. The Path of Soul Liberation. Lakemont,
Ga. CSA Press, 1975.
Mishra, Shri Ramamurti. Self Analysis and Self Knowledge.
Lakemont, Ga. CSA Press, 1977.
Prabhavananda, Swami, with Frederick Manchester. The
Spiritual Heritage of India. Garden City, N.Y. Doubleday, 1963.
