The Soul as a Relational Person.

The soul is not an isolated entity. The intention of it plays out in relationship, relationship with others, with the world, and with the divine, to a great part among others. It is not only when introspection is done that human beings can find themselves, but when they come into contact.

Love, friendship and community are very instrumental in forming the soul. Via relationships the soul learns of vulnerability, trust, forgiveness and sacrifice. These experiences attack the ego in its egoistic ways and provide a sense of identity in a wider sense.

Other philosophers like Martin Buber stressed on I Thou relationship where authentic encounter changes both parties. When these happen, the soul goes beyond objectification and the soul exists in a realm of shared existence. The soul has the purpose, in accordance with this view, of engaging in genuine relationship as opposed to utility or control.

Suffering and Metamorphosis of the Soul.

Any discussion of the purpose of the soul which is serious must face the fact of suffering. Human life cannot go without pain, loss and impermanence. Although suffering may be a cause of despair, most traditions consider it a step towards change.

In the religious texts, pain tends to cleanse or enrich the soul. The first noble truth of Buddhism is the realization of suffering (dukkha) and this is where the liberation begins. Both redemption and compassion are linked to suffering in Christianity.

Psychologically, misfortune may destroy the superficial identities, and compel the soul make reassessment of its priorities. In the event of falling of familiar structures, deeper values can be unveiled. This is not to say that suffering is necessarily good, but rather that the soul has tremendous ability to mold pain into intelligence.

The aim of the soul can then be that of learning to suffer without denying, getting bitter, or becoming a dehumanized soul.

The Soul and Self-Transcendence.

Self-transcendence is a common topic in spiritual and philosophical traditions. The soul has no self-preservation or individual triumph but rather transcends the small box of the ego.

Self-transcendence may have a variety of forms: commitment to some higher good, service to others, art, or reflection on ultimate reality. The soul in either instance has the feeling of being expanded, as though it were a part in something bigger than it is.

At the end of his career, Abraham Maslow discovered self-transcendence as a higher stage than self-actualization. Based on this perspective, the mature soul is not interested in the good of the single person only but also in the well-being of the entirety.

The Soul and Authenticity

Existential philosophy is founded on authenticity, which is a fundamental endeavor of the soul. Living an authentic life means accepting accountability in the decisions made and living against the prescriptions or unquestioned norms.

In this context, the aim of the soul is to be true to itself, not in the narcissistic meaning, but in loyalty to the most fundamental values and vocation. This is sometimes courageous because authenticity may cause confusion, loneliness or even struggle.

But in preferring authenticity, the soul defines its liberty and honor. Life becomes a conscious decision and not a conformity. The soul can make meaning out of integrity and out of engagement even in a world where people do not have a guaranteed meaning.

The Essentials of Creativity and the Self.

Another important manifestation of the role of the soul is creativity. Through art, music, literature, and other creative activities, the soul is able to put the internal world outside and express itself through time and culture.

Only professional artists are able to perform creative acts. Raising children, building a community, solving problems, any activity which introduces imagination, care and originality into the world can be an expression of the soul. The soul is also involved in the constant process of creating meaning, through creativity. It leaves some imprints of its existence and adds to a collective human narrative. In this regard, creativity serves as a connector between the inner and outer world, and the soul can be observed.

The Soul in a Secular Age

Talking of the soul may appear as old-fashioned or even purely metaphorical in a modern, secular, environment. Theories of consciousness and behavior have scientifically contradicted the metaphysical outlooks. But the tongue of the soul continues and this is an implication that it deals with aspects of experience that have not been solved.

Without the belief of immortal spirit, the concepts of the soul still can serve as a symbol of depth, inwardness and value. It is a call to remember that human beings cannot be reduced to data points or even biological processes.

Soul in a secularized meaning can create a more conscious, morally accountable, and consistent world, which could be the aim of the soul. It makes one wonder what is a worthy life.

Death and the Question of Fulfillment.

The question of the purpose of the soul cannot be discussed outside the question of death. When the life has an end then what will make it everlasting? Since the soul is immortal, what role would the life on earth play in its final purpose?

These are the questions that are answered differently according to various traditions. There are those who consider life as a precursor to another existence, and others believe that it is a one time opportunity in life that must not be wasted. But in both instances the consciousness of the mortality makes the work of the soul harder.

The awareness that there is not much time left, promotes judgment. The soul is summoned to concentrate on that which is really important, to love, to do what is right, to live, to be awake. This way, death does not eliminate the purpose of the soul but brings it into focus.

Integration: The Soul as a Lifelong Project.

Instead of serving a particular purpose, the soul purpose can be regarded as integration. The soul wants to unite the thinking and feeling, self and other, freedom and responsibility, suffering and hope.

This integration does not take place in full. Life is full of new challenges and contradictions. It is the continuous work of the soul that needs to be reflected and humbled and renewed.

In this perspective the soul has no end, but to reac

Pure light and infinite love be with us!