The Self forms the very core of man's being. It is different from his physical body, vital energy, senses and mind. Man's ego is not this Self. The ego or I-ness is an idea only; it is purely mental. Being mental, it cannot be the Self. This Self of man is called Atman in Sanskrit.If Brahman is compared to an infinite ocean, then Atman is a wave in it. The ocean is never different from its waves, and the waves are never different from the ocean.

They are one and the same. Thus, Brahman and Atman are one and the same. It is Atman which has become the manifold universe. If I hurt anyone, I actually hurt myself. Therefore, I must not hurt anyone. This realization is the basis of Hindu ethics.The Isha Upanishad says very beautifully, "He who sees all beings in the Self, and the Self in all beings, hates no one." It is possible for us to hate others only when that awareness of unity is not there. Our awareness of the presence of the Self in all makes everyone dear to us. The spiritual goal of Hinduism is to experience this divine Self within and without.

Excerpted From: The Essentials of Hinduism by Swami Bhaskarananda