Jivatman

Jivatman

जीवात्मन्, jīvātman

Individual consciousness or individual soul. Atman identified with a living being (jīva). A soul dependent on the body and its limitations is Jivatman, an independent soul is Atman.

Atman possesses an eternal one and unchangeable nature, it permeates the universe, including all living beings. At the same time, he has the property of identifying with something: for example, with a jīva, thereby creating a feeling of a separate limited personality – Jivatman. Atman, identified with the Universe, Shiva’s cosmic body, is Paramatman, the supersoul.

Atman is the main guidepost in the spiritual practice of Nathas. Initially, the sadhaka seeks to comprehend it in his own body, using his connection with the body as a tool. Having realized the unity of Jivatman and Atman by experience, the yogi recognizes Atman in other jivas, moving towards the highest purpose of sadhana — achieving connection (yoga) with Paramatma. The realization of the unity of all things is known in Nath Sampradaya as "Adesh", which in essence is following Shiva’s Will.

Comprehension of the unity of three — Atman, Paramatman, and Jivatman — is called "Adesha" (Will).

"Siddha-siddhanta_paddhati" (6.94)