SAME ATMAN

Vivekananda stressed that in every human being and in every animal, no matter how weak or wicked, great or small, resides the same omnipresent, omniscient Atman.

The difference between the person and the smallest animal is not the Atman but the particulars of the manifestation.

The brotherhood of humankind so-called, is more correctly stated as the brotherhood of all life.  “Thus the sage, knowing that the same Atman inhabits all bodies, respects every body as such,” the scriptures teach.

The Atman goes along from birth to death to rebirth until it has manifested itself to perfection, whereupon it ceases reincarnating.

Perfection is the goal of the Atman, for with it comes its liberation.