EY Kriya Philosophy

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Living Vedanta  Week 1  

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Week 1, Atman & Brahman

 

Ātman or Atma

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Dictionary Definition: A sanskrit word, meaning "essence, breath, soul, akin to Old English ǣthm breath.

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Atma, Inner teacher, the innermost essence of each individual

 

The word Atman or Atma points to an eternal Self beyond all the kosha's, beyond all that changes, comes and goes. Atman or Atma is a word derived  from Hinduism, defined as that which is hidden deep within the  heart of all beings, the truest permenant nature of all beings. Atma is the inner teacher, innermost essence or authentic Self.

 

Yoga describes this Self as the source of life within all beings that live, including animals, insects, human beings and all beings that live. Atman is defined as the permanent, unchanging and eternal aspect within all beings.

 

There are many lineages of Vedanta, and each has their unique view of what the Atma is. Most agree that the Atman or Atma is closely related to the term jivatman, the individual non-physical esssence that continues across multiple lifetimes, every body ever lived, past, present and future… whether animal, human, star seed, or any possible etheric experiences.

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It is sometimes called soul, but in yoga and Hinduism more accurately called Self, True Nature, Divine Essence. Liberation or what Hinduism and yoga calls moksha (Awakening/Liberation) is attained when a human being acquires a true and deep knowing or Self-Knowledge of their True Nature as Atman or Atma. This awakening to the knowing of Self is called Atmajnana or Brahmajnana.

 

There are multitudes of variations of understandings of Atma in Indian Vedanta philosophy. Below are major similarities and differences.  

 

Similarities;

 

Atman is distinct from the temporary body/mind/intellect. Atman is an eternally unchanging Divine True Nature that exists in all living beings (Jiva)

 

Differences:

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1. Advaita Vedanta- Atma is pure aware consciousness, or Sakshi unidentified with phenomena, believing in only one Self.

2. Samkhya & Yoga- Atma is the essence of purusha believing in innumerable selves.

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Prominent views in Vedanta on the relation between (Jīva) Atman and the supreme Self (Paramātmā) or Ultimate Reality (Brahman) are that Atman and Brahman are simultaneously different and non-different (Bhedabheda), non-different 

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Atman/Atma

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Self

Ultimate essence of all beings

The life force within all beings

True Self

Authentic Self

Eternal, unchanging Self

Pure Conscious Awareness

Real Self

Non-Physical Self

Self that persists amidst all the constant change

Atma distinct from Jiva (Embodied individual embodied in material reality)

Jiva changes while Atma does not

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Embodied personality can change while Atman does not. In Advaita Vedanta, it is the observing pure consciousness or witness-consciousness, "pure, undifferentiated, self-shining consciousness," while in Neo-Advaita it is also the nonconceptual insight that 'being' cannot be grasped in words or deeds.

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​Brahman ​

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Derived from Sanskrit, brahman, in the Upanishads (Indian sacred writings), is the supreme existence or absolute reality.

 

Vedanta defines brahman as the omnipresent Source, the spiritual core of all that exists physical and non physical. Brahman's qualities are irreducible, eternal, infinite, conscious, Divine core infused in all that is... including all that is finite and changing.

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There are various schools of Vedanta and each have major commonalities, yet subtle differences on how they interpret Brahman. As we read the different views, begin to contemplate what resonates with your soul and allow your present moment experience of this incomprehensible concept of Brahman.

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Atman and Brahman Relations/Connection

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The Upanishads express two distinct, somewhat divergent themes on the relation between Atman and Brahman.

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Some teach that Brahman (highest reality; universal principle; being-consciousness-bliss) is identical with Ātman, while others teach that Ātman is part of Brahman but not identical to it.

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