The concept of holism which is the foundation for a holistic approach to healing is based on the belief that we are body, mind and soul, or spirit. As we traverse though our lives,we tend to focus a great deal of our energy on how we feel about and care for our bodies. And because we can think up to as many as 50,000 thoughts a day, it can feel like we are literally living in our heads. Scores of books of knowledge have been written about the workings of the body as well as the mind. But, what about the soul? Most of us acknowledge that we have a soul, but we rarely contemplate on the implication of what that means. If in fact body mind and spirit are not separate parts, but integrated as one operating system, perhaps it would be beneficial to explore what the soul is and how making a conscious connection to it could vastly improve all areas of our lives.

We banter about the word "soul". We have soul mates, soul food and lost souls. But consider Webster's definition of the soul. "The immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life. The spiritual principle embodied in human beings, a person's total self." If this is true, then our understanding of the nature of the soul should be our first order of events if our lives are to have meaning during our "trip down here" so to speak. Perhaps of the three spheres of our existence, care of the soul should take highest priority. We can focus all we want on our physical and emotional health, but if we are not in alignment with our soul, and its purpose, our sense of inner peace will elude us.

All of the major religions and spiritual teachers over the ages agree that we are spirits who incarnate into a human body. But for what reason? What is the purpose? The belief is that our soul is our Divine Essence, or Divine connection, and that having a soul is a way for the Divine to experience life through us. The soul is here to learn lessons, grow and evolve. We've all heard of people who are "old souls". They are the ones who just seem older, wiser, like they've been around the block more than once.

If in fact we are all souls on a personal journey, here to stretch and grow and evolve, then it might be a good idea to remember that those situations we call "problems" might be  opportunities for our spiritual development. If we can start to view our lives from our soul's perspective, things might appear differently. And knowing, that despite the chaos, our soul, our Divine connection, sits quietly, patiently, lovingly,  embracing us even when we can't do that for ourselves. The soul is pure love, and that is what love does. If we can come to the realization that we are all souls on a journey, it may become easier to accept not just others just as they are, but ourselves as well. 

To grow a deeper connection to your soul, understand first and foremost that the soul is the true nature of who you are. Your soul came here with a purpose. Everyone will have "glimpses" of being connected to the soul.  Moments of pure happiness and bliss. When you get that feeling you get when you are "lit up" about something you are passionate about. When you are "touched" by certain music, or nature. When you are experiencing heart centered feelings such as gratitude, compassion, forgiveness. acceptance and appreciation.

It has been said, "The eyes are the window to the soul." Try to look beyond the superficial physical impressions of a fellow soul traveler and understand that, like you, they are doing the best they can.Treat them as such. And remember, the soul, unlike the body, is immortal.  

"There is no such thing as a lost soul. I know who they are, and everyone makes it home."
~ The Universe