Neti

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Neti, neti (Skt., ‘not this, not this’). The phrase (Brihadāranyaka Upaniṣad 4. 2. 4) through which, in Hinduism, the reality of appearances in the universe is rejected. Instead (ibid. 4. 5. 15) appearance is superimposed on Brahman, giving the appearance of duality. But ātman, which is Brahman, is not to be identified with appearance: ‘That Self (ātman) is not this, not this.’