WHAT IS SOUL?
SOUL - Guidance on self-expression and self-care through creativity and reflection.
It's also cultivating healthy relationships with communication.

Ancient philosophical theories of soul are in many respects sensitive to ways of speaking and thinking about the soul [psuchê] that are not specifically philosophical or theoretical. We therefore begin with what the word ‘soul’ meant to speakers of Classical Greek, and what it would have been natural to think about and associate with the soul. We then turn to various Presocratic thinkers, and to the philosophical theories that are our primary concern, those of Plato (first in the Phaedo, then in the Republic), Aristotle (in the De Anima or On the Soul), Epicurus, and the Stoics. These are by far the most carefully worked out theories of soul in ancient philosophy. Later theoretical developments — for instance, in the writings of Plotinus and other Platonists, as well as the Church Fathers — are best studied against the background of the classical theories, from which, in large part, they derive.
Adopting a bird's-eye view of the terrain that we will be covering, and setting many details aside for the moment, we can describe it as follows. From comparatively humble Homeric beginnings, the word ‘soul’ undergoes quite remarkable semantic expansion in sixth and fifth century usage. By the end of the fifth century — the time of Socrates' death — soul is standardly thought and spoken of, for instance, as the distinguishing mark of living things, as something that is the subject of emotional states and that is responsible for planning and practical thinking, and also as the bearer of such virtues as courage and justice. Coming to philosophical theory, we first trace a development towards comprehensive articulation of a very broad conception of soul, according to which the soul is not only responsible for mental or psychological functions like thought, perception and desire, and is the bearer of moral qualities, but in some way or other accounts for all the vital functions that any living organism performs. This broad conception, which is clearly in close contact with ordinary Greek usage by that time, finds its fullest articulation in Aristotle's theory. The theories of the Hellenistic period, by contrast, are interested more narrowly in the soul as something that is responsible specifically for mental or psychological functions. They either de-emphasize or sever the ordinary-language connection between soul and life in all its functions and aspects

The understanding of soul is very new …

Few people have a clear understanding of soul. Andrew Schneider has personally worked with this reality for 30 years and has extensive experience and knowledge in this area. It’s important to understand that soul is infinite in many of its aspects. In exploring soul, we are engaged in an infinite becoming process. As a result, no one can claim to have a full understanding of soul.

We are more than just a personality …

Conventional therapy and psychology work on the assumption that we are defined by our personality and that changing the nature of the personality will bring about fulfillment and happiness. This approach works well enough for people who have not grown beyond this level of identity, but it is unfulfilling for those who need to take the next step.

To heal and to grow, we must acquire a higher, more inclusive truth or perspective than we presently hold. We achieve this with soul consciousness.

Before we do the personality work necessary for developing soul consciousness, we need to have some understanding of the nature of soul and its purpose. What is soul?

Knowing ourselves is the foundation to understanding what we do, why we do it, and how to change.

It is not possible to resolve our problems or issues in life if we do not know who we are, as both personality and soul. The more we know ourselves at all levels, the less we will be controlled by our lower nature and the less we will project aspects of our own unconsciousness onto others.

Self-knowledge is the basis of all knowledge and the foundation for being able to be of true value to others.

In the simplest terms, Soul Travel is an individual moving closer to the heart of God. This movement takes a variety of forms.

One form is the sensation of fast movement of the Soul body through the planes of time and space. In reality, though, is such movement possible?

Soul exists on all planes, so what feels like movement, or travel, is simply Soul coming into an agreement with fixed states and conditions that already exist in some world of time and space.

A contemplative may hear a rushing sound, like a wailing wind in a tunnel, along with a sensation of incredible speed. But as explained, Soul doesn't move; Soul is. Time and space adjust to Soul's state of consciousness, and it is this adjustment of time and space that renders an illusion of movement or breathtaking speed.

Soul Travel is for the bold and courageous in spirit. But remember, since one doesn't in fact travel anywhere, it's impossible to get lost.

Keep that principle in mind during a spiritual exercise. It will lend the confidence to open your heart to love and so delight in any enlightenment that finds you.