Table of Contents
How do you realize atman?
By shedding the layers of ignorance. The Upanishads talk about “panchakoshas”, the five sheaths that cover the Atman. These are nothing but metaphorical representations of the body-mind-intellect complex that we take as “I” and “Mine”. Once these layers are shed, the Self, or Atman is realised.
Is there only one Atman?
Advaita Vedanta states that atman is identical with Brahman. According to those people who follow Dvaita Vedanta beliefs, there are individual atmans as well as a separate Paramatma (supreme Atma). Liberation can occur only after death, when the individual atman may (or may not) be near (though not part of) Brahman.
What is atman Brahman?
Atman-Brahman is eternal, unchanging, invisible principle, unaffected absolute and resplendent consciousness.
What is the Atman (self)?
The real self ( atman) is distinct from the temporary body. Material designations do not apply to this eternal soul. The atman is spirit ( brahman) – unchanging, eternal and conscious. Consciousness, as spread throughout the body, is a symptom of the soul.
What is the difference between Atman and soul?
Atman is similar to the Western idea of the soul, but it is not identical. 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.
What is the Atman (Brahman)?
Material designations do not apply to this eternal soul. The atman is spirit ( brahman) – unchanging, eternal and conscious. Consciousness, as spread throughout the body, is a symptom of the soul. The body is compared to a vehicle and the soul to the driver. A car cannot run without a driver.
How did Prajapati see the Atman?
Please tell us about the Atman,” they said. “Go see yourself in a pot of water. Look at the water, and that which you see is the Atman,” Prajapati replied. “Oh, I see. So simple,” they thought. They looked into a pot of water, and saw themselves. This body, head to foot, was seen reflected in the water.