Atman (Hinduism)

The aim of Hinduism is to see all the objective things of the world - all that is composed of the five physical elements, the intelligences (manas and buddhi) and the ahamkara (ego sense) - as the not-self. These eight elements constitute the body and mind of man. The self, or Atman, is subject, never object and therefore cannot be comprehended by the mind. It is the first vital principle and all other objects exist only through the Atman. The eight elements must be transcended for enlightenment. Then, when the Atman is known, everything else is also known and the Atman is realized to be identical with the Absolute, Brahman. Atman as the supreme Self is sometimes referred to as [Paramatman]

for the purposes of distinguishing that Self from the individual soul or Atman.