WHAT IS A SOUL?

"In order to understand your soul, you first need to come to terms with a non-physical reality."

As I wandered aimlessly through the bookstore, I unexpectedly stumbled across a book named "The Seat of the Soul" by Gary Zukav. Intrigued by the title, I curiously read the first few pages of the preface written by Maya Angelou, which captivated me enough to take the book home with me that very day. As I delved deeper into its contents, I found myself infatuated. The book gradually began to reshape my understanding of the world. It challenged the very foundations of my personal belief system, particularly in relation to how I perceived my own existence within my physical environment. Inspired by this newfound perspective, I decided to share the insights I have gained through my writing. Below, is a condensed overview of Gary Zukav's fundamental concepts regarding the nature of the soul.

Firstly, what is a Soul?

In many religious and philosophical traditions, the soul is defined as the 'spiritual and immaterial aspect or essence of a living being, regarded as immortal'.

Considering the notion of evolution over the course of human existence, we find ourselves currently in a phase whereby we are evolving from human beings with a five-sensory perception to becoming multisensory beings. Our five senses, together, constitute a singular sensory system that is designed to perceive the physical realm. However, the perception of a multisensory human extends far beyond the confines of this physical reality to encompass the intricate and interconnected systems in which our physical reality forms a part of. The multisensory human possesses the ability to perceive and acknowledge the role in which our physical reality plays within the broader context of evolution, as well as the dynamic processes through which it is created and sustained. This realm is invisible to the five-sensory human. It is in this 'invisible realm' that the origins of our deepest values are found.

We, as a species, have been asking the questions "Is there a God?", "Is there a Divine Intelligence?", and "is there a purpose to life?" for as long as we have been able to articulate questions. The time has now come for us to expand into a frame of reference that allows these questions to be answered.

Personality versus Soul.

The larger frame of reference of the multisensory human allows an understanding of the experientially meaningful distinction between the personality and the soul.

Your personality is that part of you that was born into, lives within, and will die within time. To be human and to have a personality are the same thing. Your personality, like your body, is the vehicle of your evolution. The decisions that you make and the actions that you take upon this Earth are the means by which you evolve. At each moment you choose the intentions that will shape your experiences and those things upon which you will focus your attention. These choices affect your evolutionary process. This is for each person. If you choose unconsciously, you evolve unconsciously. If you choose consciously, you evolve consciously.

The fearful and violent emotions that have come to characterize human existence can be experienced only by the personality. Only the personality can feel anger, fear, hatred, vengeance, sorrow, shame, regret, indifference, frustration, cynicism, and loneliness. Only the personality can judge, manipulate and exploit. Only the personality can pursue external power. The personality can also be loving, compassionate, and wise in its relations with others, but love, compassion, and wisdom do not come from the personality. These are experiences of the soul. Your soul is that part of you that is immortal. Every person has a soul, but a personality that is limited in its perception to the five senses is not aware of its soul, and, therefore, cannot recognize the influences of its soul. As a personality becomes multisensory, its intuitions - its hunches and subtle feelings - become important to it. Your intuition is the communication tool 'walkie talkie' between your soul and the personality. When a multisensory personality looks inside itself, it finds a multitude of different currents. Through experience, it learns to distinguish between these currents and to identify the emotional, psychological and physical effects of each. It learns, for example, which currents produce anger, divisive thoughts, and destructive actions, and which currents produce love, healing thoughts, and constructive actions. In time, it learns to value and to identify with those currents that generate creativity, healing, and love, and to challenge and release those currents that create negativity, disharmony, and violence. In this way, a personality comes to experience the energy of its soul. Your soul is not a passive or a theoretical entity that occupies a space in the vicinity of your chest cavity. It is a positive, purposeful force at the core of your being. It is that part of you that understands the impersonal nature of the energy dynamics in which you are involved, that loves without restriction and accepts without judgement.

What is the Medium of my Soul?

If you desire to know your soul, the first step is to recognize that you have a soul. The next step is to allow yourself to consider, "If I have a soul, what is my soul? What does my soul want? What is the relationship between my soul and me? How does my soul affect my life?"

When the energy of the soul is recognized, acknowledged, and valued, it begins to infuse the life of the personality. When the personality comes fully to serve the energy of its soul, that is authentic empowerment. This is the goal of the evolutionary process in which we are involved and the reason for our being. Every experience that you have and will have upon the Earth encourages the alignment of your personality with your soul. Every circumstance and situation gives you the opportunity to choose this path, to allow your soul to shine through you, to bring into the physical world through you its unending and unfathomable reverence for and love of life.

As I pondered on this idea, I began to ask myself "In what way does my soul best communicate its energy into the world?". The sacred act of creation is a tool in which your soul expresses itself creatively into the physical realm. Whether it be in writing, painting, photography, filmmaking, designing, or visually expressing your imagination. Every person has a creative medium that aligns with the dynamic energy of their soul and is influenced by the personality. Art is a mere expression of your soul's energy trying to manifest itself into the physical realm.

And, just like your soul, art is the one thing that exceeds the concept of time and has the potential to live forever.

A.N.D.

'Artists. Never. Die.'

As a result, the creation of 'Artsoul' was inspired by the discovery of coming into contact with my soul for the very first time. Artsoul is the name my celestial journey here on Earth, as my soul navigates its way through life, experiencing all its unique wonders, and concluding its understanding by giving life a new meaning in the form of art.

A Poem, 'Artsoul'.

"In the quiet depths of introspection, amidst the symphony of the universe, there exists a celestial being, known as Artsoul. Its genesis was sparked by the profound encounter of the self, a poignant moment when the veil lifted, and the essence of the soul revealed itself in all its resplendent glory.

Artsoul, was born, embarking upon an odyssey, a pilgrimage through the myriad landscapes of life. On a quest to differentiate between the realms of physical and non-physical reality. With each step, it embraced the beauty and complexities woven into the fabric of existence.

Through the flow of time, Artsoul ventured forth, fearlessly delving into the depths of it own human experience. It danced with joy in moments of elation, finding solace in the warmth of love, and resilience in the face of adversity. It learned to listen to the echoes of laughter, the sighs of sorrow, and the symphony of emotions that painted the canvas of its journey.

Along its path, Artsoul became an eloquent storyteller, weaving its narrative with strokes of passion, words of wisdom, and the tender embrace of creativity. It translated the whispers of the soul into melodies that resonated with the hearts of others, offering solace, inspiration, and a shared understanding of the intricate capacities of life.

In the reflection of Artsoul's creation, there lies a testament to the profound depth of human existence. It echoes the timeless quest for purpose and meaning, a prevalent reminder that within each of us resides a universe waiting to be explored, expressed, and cherished. As Artsoul continues to evolve, it remains a radiant beacon, illuminating the path for others to embark on their own profound journey of self-discovery and creative expression."