What is the Atman

What is variously described by different faiths as the ‘soul’, ‘enlivening power’, ‘life force’ or as ‘atman or brahman’ by the Indian Vedantic system is the reflection of the supreme power inside the body of the individual, the ‘spark of the divine’.

This is a universal concept from which emerges the understanding that this ‘life giving, invisible power’ controls the affairs of man. Adi Shankaracharya in his work ‘Vivekachudamani’ describes the characteristics and workings of this power or ‘atman’ in the Vedantic tradition.

“That which perceives everything, but which nothing can perceive, which empowers the intellect to think, but which itself possesses unimaginable power - that is the atman.”

It is this invisible power that is witness to all the actions of man, the ‘one seer.’ It cannot be grasped by the eye or the mind or by speech. Its presence is only to be inferred by its effects. Without this power behind them, the mind or intellect by themselves are lifeless, incapable of thinking. It is this power that animates the inanimate. It is the life-force.

Shankara continues, saying, “That by which this universe is enveloped, but which is not enveloped by anything, that effulgent force which imparts effulgence (life) to this universe - that is the atman.” “By whose very presence, the body, the sense organs, the mind, the intellect - all of which perform their respective functions, as if impelled to do so - that is the atman.”

Every cell of this body has behind it this life force acting on it, whereby it carries out its ordained duties. In the absence of this power, the body is lifeless. “That power which, by its omniscience, enables the mind to think, understand and act- that is the atman.” By this power, the body experiences pleasure, pain and also the highest bliss.

Shankara goes further to say that though this atman is the witness to everything, it neither acts nor effects changes in anything. It is like the resplendent sun in the sky which illumines the universe by its effulgence, but which is in no way affected by the dust in the sky.

Just as it is up to man to refrain from polluting the skies, it is man’s decision to seek the ‘divine glow’ within or ignore it.