The term “soul” is used widely by different teachings and traditions, and has a variety of different meanings.
In the way that Andrew Cohen defines it, the human soul is a specific metaphysical structure in the human psyche. He describes the soul as the deepest part of the self which remains individuated or personal.
While the soul exists at a much deeper dimension than the ego or frontal self, it is still in the realm of the personal. We could say that the soul traces the borders of the
personal and the impersonal, the relative and the absolute.
The soul has an important relationship with the frontal self. It is the source of spiritual, emotional and psychological strength, and most importantly our capacity for moral virtue.
When we inevitably face intense pressure and challenge, if we don’t have this kind of strength and stability at the level of the soul, it is more likely that we will experience a division of the self – a schism or split manifesting within the frontal self or personality.
The topic of this week’s teaching is the cultivation of soul strength, and how spiritual practice can help in the development of deep emotional, psychological and spiritual stability.
Warmest wishes,
The Andrew Cohen Team