Is the atman God?

Atman is a Hindu word that means ‘soul or spirit’. Essentially, it refers to the real person inside an individual. It is made of part of the spirit of Brahman , who Hindus believe is the one true ultimate God. Hindus believe that the atman is about accumulating knowledge.

What is the concept of atman?

atman, (Sanskrit: “self,” “breath”) one of the most basic concepts in Hinduism, the universal self, identical with the eternal core of the personality that after death either transmigrates to a new life or attains release (moksha) from the bonds of existence.

Who accepts that atman is identical with Brahman?

One significant difference is that Hindu schools are divided on the subject of the atman. Dualistic Hindus believe that individual atmans are joined to but not identical with Brahman. Non-dual Hindus, by contrast, believe that individual atmans are Brahman; as a result, all atmans are essentially identical and equal.

How is atman described in Bhagavad Gita?

In the Bhagavad Gita, central scripture of Hinduism, the realization of Atman is described as union or merging with God, a state that is free from all worldly attachments, free also from ignorance, greed and pride.

How is atman related to Brahman?

In schools that equate Brahman with Atman, Brahman is the sole, ultimate reality. The predominant teaching in the Upanishads is the spiritual identity of Self within each human being, with the Self of every other human being and living being, as well as with the supreme, ultimate reality Brahman.

Does Buddhism believe in Atman?

Most Buddhist traditions and texts reject the premise of a permanent, unchanging atman (self, soul). However, some Buddhist schools, sutras and tantras present the notion of an atman or permanent “Self”, although mostly referring to an Absolute and not to a personal self.

What is Darshan and how to do it?

Darshan can happen in front of a home altar with a picture of the deity, in a temple or other sacred place, or in a vision during meditation. It is believed that the sight is reciprocal between the devotee and the deity, which deepens the experience of darshan even more.

Why do devotees of God cry during darshan?

It is because of various reasons. Sometimes devotees of God cry because of the pain of separation between God and devotee. Sometimes devotees cry because of gratitude. Sometimes it is due to past life connections, past life memories etc. Definitely it is tears of joy and not sorrow in most cases. Crying is not a sign of Darshana.

What is the difference between yoga and Yoga darshan?

The key difference is that yoga assumes the existence of a “special purusha,” who is the model for the one seeking spiritual release. Yoga darshan is concerned primarily with the acquisition and perpetuation of two states of mind: the state of the one-pointed mind ( ekagrata) and the state of inhibited mental functions ( niruddha ).

Why do people go to temples and ashrams?

Most of the people goes to temple or Ashram to take a darshan of a god or a spiritual enlightened person(guru) respectively. I know Darshan is different from “To See” or “To meet” from the answer of this question. It is a “Akriya avasta of Man”.