Comparing Atom And “Atma"

The knowledge of the laws of the physical universe is based on the atomic
theory. The atom is seen to be a point-source of energy, and different
energy levels and vibrations between neighboring atoms give the appearance
of form, color and heat.  It has been established that the entire material
world we see around us as a variety of forms and colors, light and heat, is
formed of these point sources of physical energy or atoms. The most
beautiful scene in nature is merely a pattern of energy waves and
vibrations. The sense organs select the vibrations and relay a message to
the mind where all images are formed. The eyes see some of these patterns as
light forms and colors, the nose pick up odors. In the same way sounds,
tastes and sensations are detected and all of these are transmitted to the
mind.

Atomic theory appeared originally in Greece and in India. The English word
"atom" came from the Greek word "atomos" meaning "indivisible". This word is
similar to the Hindi word "atma" which means "self" or "soul" and refers to
the conscious energy of the human as being an indivisible and un-destroyable
point of non-physical light.
The human body is also a complex pattern of physical energies. Atomic
particles build together to form the organic structures and inorganic
minerals which perform the body's chemical interactions, thus forming the
basis of the hormonal and nervous control of the body. What we see as old or
young, ugly or beautiful, male or female, is also the effect of these
differing levels of physical energies between neighboring atoms. However
marvelous a machine the body may be, it is the presence of the soul which
makes it function.
*One of the basic differences between souls and atoms is that while souls
can exercise choice of their movements, where and when to go somewhere,
atoms cannot obviously exercise such choice.* In a way you could say that a
soul is a point-source of spiritual energy that has awareness of its own
existence. Atoms do not.