Spirit

Spirit-1 (Everyday / Religious Use):

• Often used interchangeably with soul — the immortal essence of an individual.

• Seen as what survives death, contrasted with the mortal body.

Spirit-2 (Vedantic / Philosophical Use):

• Ātman (Higher Self): The individualized essence, often called “soul” in religion. Appears personal but is not separate from the whole.

• Brahman (Absolute Spirit): The undivided, infinite field of consciousness. All appearances, beings, and worlds arise within it.

Spirit-3 (Nondual View):

• Spirit is consciousness itself — both the spark (Ātman) and the ocean (Brahman).

• The apparent division exists only through perception filters (ego tunnel).

• Atman and Brahman are not-two: the drop and the ocean are one reality, seen through different lenses.

Additional Detail

• Metaphor: Spirit is like light shining through a prism.

  • Brahman (undivided light): pure, absolute consciousness.

  • Ātman (colored ray): individualized expression of that same consciousness.

  • Ego tunnel / perception filter (the prism): the structure that splits and colors the light — creating the sense of separateness and individuality.

• Implication:

  • Without the prism, light is undifferentiated (Brahman).

  • With the prism, rays appear distinct (Atman-as-individuals).

  • Yet the rays never cease being light — separation is only apparent.