Ātman (IAST: Ātman, sanskrit: आत्मन्) is a term used in Hindu philosophy, especially in the Vedanta school of Hinduism to identify the "universal spirit" whether in the macrocosm or the microcosm. It is one's true self (hence generally translated into English as 'Self') beyond identification with the phenomenEuropean]] root *ēt-men (breath) and is cognate with Old English "æþm", Greek "asthma", German "Atem": "atmen" (to breathe)