In history the word soul has been associated with a wide variety of explanations about the human psyche. IP recognizes all of them as a valid effort to seek understanding of the nature and the mechanisms of the inner landscape of a human being.
From the IP perspective, we use the word soul to label one of the five dimensions of the consciousness spectrum of a human individual. The IP point of view may show coherence as well as dissimilitude with other philosophies. On this page, I illustrate how soul relates to the art of alignment. In IP-5 we explore to soul from the psychological viewpoint. In IP-10 the actual soul becomes an even more tangible reality when we develop our sensitivity to our 4th subtle body.
As a general description, the soul is a deep, and vast part of our human psyche that is highly concerned with self-discovery and social integration. Much of its focus is directed towards developing identity and relationships. Both these focusses are so intensely intertwined that they go hand in hand in one large and profound soul project.
The specifics of soul activity become more visible in the hierarchy of needs. Here we put them in contrast with two other dimensions, one less subtle (the ego), and one more subtle (the spirit). Where the functional ego is concerned with physical survival, safety, and well-being, the soul seeks security in friendships, intimacy, and love. Because the inner spirit is connected with Source and knows the “I am”, it doesn’t have to seek for an identity anymore. It knows while the soul is still trying to find out “who am I”. Yet, it is in that deep yearning for knowing oneself, that the soul is driven towards discover the Self and find fusion with the inner spirit. The growing soul is developing its unique identity in itself (self-esteem, dignity, autonomy) as well as in relationship to others and the environment (reputation, respect, status). The growing spirit is seeking to realize its full potential and this drives the inner spirit to embrace and infuse the soul with vibrant, intelligent potency. Each moment of uplifting soul-spirit fusion propels a human being into the refreshing creative activity that elevates the soul’s esteem and mastery and satisfies the spirit’s incentive to express its infinite potential.
The list of this questions also illustrates the soul’s area of interest.
Who am I? What am I here for? Why do I exist? Do I exist? What is the nature of my existence? What is the reason for my existence? What is my destiny? Who put me here? Where do I come from? Where do I go?
What makes me happy? What makes me unhappy? What to chose? Do I have a mission? Do I have a purpose? What is my value? What is my use? Where is my joy? What brings me joy?
Who am I to others? Who are others to me? With whom do I relate? Why do I relate? What happens in relationships? What do I feel in relationships? What do I get from relationships? What are healthy relationships? What are unhealthy relationships? What is love? Do I love myself, or someone? Do I love others? Do others love me? What is respect? Do I respect others? Do others respect me?
What is my environment? Do I feel good in my environment? Where do I belong? What is belonging? What are my surroundings like? Why am I here? Do I want to be here? Where do I want to be? Am I in the right place, doing the right thing, in the right moment, for the right reasons, in the right circumstances, …? Can I migrate?
What is my inner world? What is my outer world? How do my inner and outer world relate to one another? Do they have an effect on each other? If so, how? How do cause and effect work? What effects do I desire? What causes do I have to activate?
In the Art of Soul Connection we open the gate for a true recognition of our soul, and to open and sustain a living dialogue with our soul. The more we practice complete alignment, this soul dialogue evolves naturally into a fulfilling inner companionship.
Is the soul solid, like iron?
Mary Oliver
Or is it tender and breakable, like
the wings of a moth in the beak of the owl?
Who has it, and who doesn’t?
I keep looking around me.
The face of the moose is as sad
as the face of Jesus.
The swan opens her white wings slowly.
In the fall, the black bear carries leaves into the darkness.
One question leads to another.
Does it have a shape? Like an iceberg?
Like the eye of a hummingbird?
Does it have one lung, like the snake and the scallop?
Why should I have it, and not the anteater
who loves her children?
Why should I have it, and not the camel?
Come to think of it, what about the maple trees?
What about the blue iris?
What about all the little stones, sitting alone in the moonlight?
What about roses, and lemons, and their shining leaves?
What about the grass?