Introduction
People have been seeking meaning in human history that is not connected with survival, comfort and material success. Although the physical world is something that provides us with physical experiences, such as the sense of things, the accomplishments, the possession we have, it somehow creates the impression of being insufficient. This is the emotion that has prompted philosophers, mystics, psychologists and spiritual seekers to find out what is outside the realm of the visible. The idea to awaken the soul implies the great inner change, the change of consciousness enabling people to see the reality beyond the material world.
Awakening the soul does not entail denying of physical existence but overcoming its constraints. It is a journey within, a journey that brings about more self-understanding, empathy, meaning and intimacy with the universe. It is a voyage that challenges some of the strongest beliefs, it challenges fear and illusion and it challenges people to see their own nature. By that, the soul does wake up to a timeless, interconnected, infinitely meaningful reality.
This essay talks about the awakening of the soul as a journey out of the physical world. It looks at the character of the soul, the falsehoods of material life, the awakening processes, the obstacles which come on the way, the content changes which come with the awakening and the changes which come with a soul view of life. Last but not least, waking up in the soul does not mean escaping life, rather, it is immersing more into its reality and beauty.
The Soul Beyond the Body.
The soul has been defined in a myriad of ways depending on cultures and traditions. We have those who consider it to be the substance of consciousness, and those who regard it as the inborn Godhead in every man. Although definitions differ, one thing seems to come out: soul is that in us that renders us to be timeless, space-less, and formless.
The soul is often regarded to be eternal unlike the body that is old and in the end dies. It is the seat of awareness, intuition and creativity and love. The Platonist views of ancient philosophies considered the soul to be imprisoned in the body temporarily and it longed to free itself back to a higher realm of truth. The Eastern traditions such as Hinduism and Buddhism define the soul or consciousness as a subset of a higher universal existence.
Psychology and neuroscience today have devoted much of their attention to the brain and behavior and have forgotten about the idea of the soul. But even the modern thinkers admit that even the consciousness itself is one of the most mysterious things in existence. Such questions as Who am I more than my thoughts? and What is watching my experience? are leading to something more than physical action.
Starting to awaken the soul, it is important to realize that we are not our bodies or minds, but conscious beings that perceive reality with the help of them. This is a change in identity. When people cease to identify themselves by their position, materialism and societal rank, they will create an opportunity to explore the self.
The Delusion of the Material World.
Physical world is viewed as the ultimate reality since it is proximate and quantifiable. Nevertheless, a lot of spiritual traditions claim that this perception is not comprehensive. The physical world is a mere surface layer of existence although real.
Materialism preaches that happiness consists in gaining more which is in terms of money, success, recognition, and comfort. Nevertheless, there are thousands of people who attain these objectives but remain empty, anxious, or discontented. This contradiction brings out an even bigger truth: outward completion could not replace inner completeness.
The false perception is the fact that identity and worth are based on external conditions. The society is perpetuating this illusion based on its emphasis on productivity rather than on presence, appearance rather than authenticity and competition rather than empathy. Consequently, people lose touch with their inner selves, and they do not live consciously, but automatically.
The illusions are the things one has to awaken the soul by seeing through them. It does not mean that we have to leave the physical world but learn that it is not the ultimate fulfillment. Upon the awakening of the soul, people start to live their life as a purposeful voyage as opposed to a race to prove anything.
This realization usually comes in the times of crisis or intense thinking loss, illness, failure or questioning of the meaning of life. These experiences may break the illusions and make people face more profound truths regarding life.
Pure light and infinite love be with us!