Encyclopedia of Spiritual Knowledge

The word Atman (pronounced as Atma in Sanskrit) is interpreted as the Main Essence of man. A in this word is a negating particle. Tma means darkness. The word tamas — ignorance, spiritual darkness — has the same root. Therefore A-tma or Atman means “opposite to darkness”, “shining”.

Below is presented the description of Atman from the Bhagavad Gita.

“8:3. … The main essence (of man) is Atman…

“6:7. He who has cognized Atman attains the full peace, for he takes refuge in the Divine Consciousness when he (his body) is in cold or heat, in situations of joy or grief, honor or dishonor.

“6:10. Let a yogi be constantly concentrating in the Atman…

“6:18. When he, as a refined consciousness free from all cravings, is concentrated in Atman alone, then he is said about: “He is in harmony”.

“5:17. He who has cognized himself as a consciousness, who has associated himself with Atman, who is devoted only to the Lord and takes refuge in Him — such a person goes to the Liberation purified by salvational wisdom.

“15:11 Rightly aspiring yogis cognize not only the soul, but also Atman in themselves. But the unwise do not find Atman.

“13:22. Observing, Supporting, All-receiving, the Highest Ruler, and also Divine Atman — this is how called the Supreme Spirit in this body.

“13:31. Eternal and non-bound by prakriti Divine Atman, though residing in bodies, does not act and cannot be influenced…

“13:32. As the omnipresent Void does not intermix with anything because of its subtlety, so does Atman residing in bodies intermixes with nothing.”

But these instructions cannot by themselves without more details ensure cognition of Atman. This is the task of spiritual schools. Searching for methods is a possibility for seekers to develop the Wisdom. This is also the possibility for creating various paths, and this is good, since it allows each the follower to choose the most adequate path for himself or herself. The main concept of this searching Krishna outlines as follows:

“10:8. I am the Source of everything; everything proceeds from Me. Having understood this, the wise worship Me with great delight.

“10:9. Directing their thoughts to Me, devoting their lives to Me, enlightening each other, always conversing about Me, they are happy and content.

“10:10. To them — always full of love — I gift buddhi yoga, by means of which they attain Me.”