The word “soul” has been part of our language from time immemorial so it stands to reason that this amazing “inner self” has shown itself plainly enough to warrant discussion. 

What do the theologians and books say?

Firstly, although interpreted slightly differently, the “soul” is mentioned in nearly all cultures and religions.  I like to mention this aspect first because however you classify the soul – in most places in the world the soul’s existence is acknowledged. 

If it exists – what is it?

It is defined in most cases as an “immaterial aspect or essence of a person, conjoined with the body during life and separable at the time of death”.  

That pretty much sums up the accepted description of what it is.  We can consider the views of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Baha’i and Buddhist beliefs, and also Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Jainist and Jewish beliefs, etc all recognising the existence of an “inner core” or the “soul” within.  Whatever happens at death is personal belief.

Those who believe we have a soul are convinced that it is the special essence of who we are – the thing that makes us unique.  It’s our psyche, life force, divine spark, vitality and vital force.  

And that “life breath” links us to many things:  each other, the environment and/or Spirit. 

The “Soul is the life of the body”.  And when this life is over, depending on your personal belief, the Soul then departs the body and that’s it, or continues on for a journey of “eternal bliss or torment”, or can be returned to a body by rebirth.
 
Whatever we believe, we are our own special selves.  While on this journey through our lives we do, we think, we create and we change the world by our very presence.

We are above all else water and energy and the soul “is thought to be both the spring and core of bodily life and functions and also the seat of the highest mental activities”.
 
So, as there is a belief that the ‘inner essence’ exists and that this is our special inner self, and if we then believe in the Spirit, then it is our connection and pathway.

If you do not believe in the ‘soul’ itself, you still most likely believe that you are unique, have your own special qualities and that you have the capacity to spill out love and joy. 

So we will now call our Soul or our special uniqueness our ‘inner essence’ or ‘shining star’.

That way, we can “all” move together to find ways to continue to develop our “star”.
                                
A “shining star” inhabits us all, and we don’t want our star to flicker or fade. 
We want to make sure our “star” shines brightly. 

We want to make sure that our “star” is loved, improved and fulfilled.  We are going to take a journey of finding out how to make our uniqueness incredibly special and illuminating.

Over time on Wisewomensworld, we will look at religions and ways of thinking to discover why others think the way they do. 

But at the bottom of it all, a happy and joyful individual makes all the difference.

When we are we touch others in a good way, this definitely makes the world a better place.

                                         

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself” - Leo Tolstoy

I say :
“It is time to start thinking of changing ourselves and the world will be better for it”