Atman

In Hindu and Jain philosophy, Atman is the soul in its natural state. Many believe that individual "personal" souls exist as an illusion only, and think of Atman as the all-pervading soul of the universe; the universal life-principle and animator of all organisms, and the world-soul.

By contrast, Jiva[?] is the soul in its human state, in which its freedom is limited by the triple bond of anava[?] (ego), karma (action) and maya_(illusion).

See also: anatta nirvana samsara reincarnation