There are many ways to understand the soul. For some people the soul is the seat of our emotions and passions. Others see it as the never-dying carrier of the spirit. And yet others may see in it an equivalent of the self, our higher self, the essence, or an expression of the ego. No matter what the soul is perceived to be, for those of us who are striving for a more complete understanding of ourselves and the world around us, the concept of the soul has become an important piece of that journey.
To me soul describes the area between that which is purely human and that which is Divine in us. To me the soul is the carrier of our emotions and feelings. It is the place where our thinking process can change from day-to-day repetition to creative and original perception. It is the area in our life where we connect the experiences of our daily physical life and the insights of a higher, spiritual order into a comprehensive and satisfying whole.
Spirit is a similarly curious term. It has been understood to be anything from God Him- or Herself, to ghosts, to a higher part of ourselves, to courage, to alcohol (yes, “in high spirits” means being, well, high on spirits). In my understanding spirit describes the higher part of the universe, something that connects all life on this plane and others. It is the source of all true knowledge and wisdom; a place without time and outside of space; home to our souls; and the everlasting part of each of us that returns to itself at some point.
I give these (admittedly sketchy) definitions not in order to convince anyone of my view. I just found that it helps to be clear on the meaning of those terms that I am about to use a lot. And it is not only in this article that I use these terms. Much of my work as a counsellor and facilitator revolves around these two aspects of the human experience, even if this is not always stated or even seen.
Most of our inner struggles go back to a feeling of not belonging, feeling lost or overwhelmed, or being afraid or worried. Life has thrown us a curve ball and we don’t know how to catch it and stay in the game. Or we feel that we have dropped the ball and are watching from the sidelines without any chance of ever getting back into the action. And although usually there is some physical catalyst for these moments, the experience itself is an inner one, an experience of the soul. We struggle with our own emotions and beliefs, and we might feel that we are missing the connection to the rest of the world – to spirit itself.
In these moments we often turn to others for help and answers. And we deserve help. However, I don’t believe that we can get answers from others that are any clearer or more helpful than those that we carry inside ourselves. We all have the ability to find the right answer to all our life-situations within ourselves – or at least through ourselves. Sometimes it is a matter of practise and patience. Sometimes it is a matter of trust and faith. But we all can ultimately get the answers if we learn to get out of the way and listen.
This is where the integration of soul and spirit is important. If we can learn to balance and weave together the expressions of the soul – our emotions, feelings, thoughts, and will – with the experiences of spirit – insight, intuition, belonging – we create a new way of being in the world. We learn to live in harmony in the world and from a higher perspective. And with this we learn to see life differently.
We can begin to act rather than react if we understand our emotions and impulses. We can make different choices when we learn to distinguish between intuition and fancy. We can create a new life for ourselves when we see where we came from and where we are heading. We can direct our lives and experiences when we learn to take responsibility for and set healthy boundaries in our lives. And we can invite others into our lives with open arms and open hearts when we learn to accept and respect ourselves. All of this is part of Soul-Spirit Integration.
But this integration is more than the integration of our personal life into the world. It is also an integration of the soul of the earth into spirit. Because each one of us is a part of the whole, every action we take, every move we make makes a difference in the world. As we are changing our view of life and the universe we are also changing the universe itself. With every loving thought, every respectful deed, every accepting action we are healing the soul of the earth.
So Soul-Spirit Integration is also a practical exercise: becoming aware of the beauty around us; learning to see the potential in everything and everyone; beginning to look at the world as our home and treating it with respect; contributing to the experiences of joy and harmony in our environment; being respectful of the gifts we receive daily, be it a smile from a stranger, a spring flower on our path, or the rain that gently drums onto our windows.
This integration doesn’t happen overnight. It is work and if we step onto this path we will have our good days and our bad days. Some things will come easier than others. And sometimes we will have a lapse and return to our old questions and disbelief. But that doesn’t take away from the path. It might actually add to it.
There are many paths leading to Soul-Spirit Integration. For some people it may start when they volunteer. Others will begin on this path when they become parents or when the children move out. For many the path starts at a crisis point in life. Then psychotherapy or counselling might stand at the beginning. As I see it, this is a chance to learn new skills and take the time needed to go into the depths of our innermost being in the safety of a protected environment.
There is a time for individual, quiet, inner work and there is a time for learning and growing by sharing with others. In those times we can take courses or workshops or attend presentations. Any teaching needs to be an education, a raising of ourselves to a higher level of understanding and ability. And any “work” we do in this area should be a reward: it should feel good and right, even if at times we might feel down and depressed because of outer circumstances. Learning and growing are free choices and as such they should be fun and energizing.
Whatever the path, they all lead to increased learning and understanding of ourselves. It is important that we learn to understand ourselves better, get the skills to question ourselves, and develop the tools to find our own answers. Practical deeds are as important as the freedom to integrate our own beliefs and reality into the process.
So, how can you start on the path of Soul-Spirit Integration? Begin by looking up on your way to work this week: look into the eyes of those you meet in the street, notice the flowers and buds that are coming out everywhere, and pay attention to your inner reactions. Or write down your dreams and see if you can find their message. Or maybe you can start to look at some of those old behavioural patterns that get in the way every once in a while. Whatever you do, have fun with it. You are moving towards healing – what a wonderful gift and what a great opportunity!
Be well and check out the Events Page frequently. Many new courses and events that can support you in your Soul-Spirit Integration are planned for the summer and the autumn. Who knows, maybe there is something in there that feels like the right starting point for you.