In Hindu philosophy, Atman is a Sanskrit word that means the inner self, or soul. To attain liberation, a human being must acquire self-knowledge — to realize one's own worth and uniqueness relative to all things.
To have this self-knowledge is to empower oneself and to harness its immense energy. But to achieve this state requires extending the conscious mind far beyond the outer perimeter of its current comfort zones and cognitive boundaries.
It requires a tuition to be paid, a heavy tax on the body, mind, and spirit, far beyond its perceived limitations. We do this because the person we will become will be stronger than the person we currently are.
We do this to transcend our suffering. We do this to overcome our pain. We do this to create a destiny greater than our history.
And when you arrive at that place — when you have achieved true transcendence — you will understand that the strength you sought outside yourself was within you the entire time.