What is the Soul?

 

The soul is not a mere function of the brain, nor the essence of an atomic particle—it is the very core of who you are and who you can become. It is the bridge to the infinite, your connection to Spirit, to the Source of all creation. While science cannot define it, the soul is felt in the deepest corners of our being, a quiet yet undeniable presence that grows stronger as we nurture our connection to the divine. Through this connection, the soul transforms, radiating a joy that makes simply being alive a sacred celebration.

The soul is wonder itself, the unseen thread that weaves you into the fabric of existence. It is not something that can be touched, but it can touch you—in the warmth of sunlight after a long winter, the exhilaration of wind rushing past as you stand in an open field, or the quiet awe of standing beneath a canopy of stars. It is the whisper that stirs when you look into the eyes of another and feel eternity staring back. The soul laughs when you laugh and weeps when tears fall, reminding you of the boundless depth of feeling you carry within.

It is the soul that marvels at the revelations of the universe. When you gaze at images from the Webb telescope, capturing light that began its journey billions of years ago, you sense its vastness. Trillions of galaxies, each holding billions of stars, most stars with their own orbiting worlds—the soul reaches into this infinite wonder and finds its place within it. In those moments, you grasp that you, too, are a miracle of this universe. While the dopamine in your frontal lobe may spark spiritual joy, the soul reaches far beyond biochemical explanations. It breathes awe into the logical mind, inviting it to dance with wonder.

The soul is the irresistible curiosity that leads you to touch a flower’s petal, to feel its softness, to notice the intricate play of light and shadow. It is the breathless wonder as the sky transforms at dusk, spilling its colors in an ever-changing masterpiece. To live through your soul is to embrace the universe with love—to feel that every heartbeat resonates with the rhythm of life itself.

In moments of stillness, when the world falls silent, the truth of your being becomes clear: you are alive, and every heartbeat is a hymn to the miracle of existence. The soul reminds you that life, in all its grandness and simplicity, is breathtakingly beautiful. It grounds you in the earth beneath your feet, lifts you to the endless sky above, and fills you with the knowing that you are part of something infinite.

To live with your soul is to awaken to the boundless beauty of every moment. It is to be fully present, fully alive, and endlessly enchanted by the profound gift of existence.

 ✨

 

Man holding up a hand

The Nature of the Soul

 

The soul comes alive when you are thoroughly absorbed in something you love. It thrives in the moments when time dissolves, and your attention flows seamlessly into what you are doing, leaving no room for self-conscious thought. Picture a musician so engrossed in playing their instrument that every note feels like a heartbeat, a pulse of pure connection. The boundaries between the musician, the instrument, and the music vanish. What remains is a raw, unfiltered expression of joy, as though the universe itself is speaking through sound. This is the soul in motion, vibrant and free.

When you immerse yourself in learning something new, the soul awakens with the spark of discovery. Whether you’re studying a new concept, exploring an unfamiliar skill, or unraveling a complex problem, every step forward feels exhilarating. It’s not just about reaching a conclusion but about the journey itself—the process of peeling back layers of understanding to reveal something fresh and illuminating. In these moments, you are not just thinking; you are being, wholly engaged in the act of expanding your awareness.

Music, too, is a direct path to soulful experience. Singing, playing, or even listening to a song can transport you to a realm beyond thought, where emotion and connection reign. A melody can bypass the noise of the mind and speak directly to the heart, awakening feelings of joy, nostalgia, or even quiet peace. It’s as though music speaks the language of the soul, uniting you with something timeless and universal.

 

Nature provides another doorway to the soul. Standing in a forest as sunlight streams through the trees, or watching waves crash against the shore, can evoke a profound sense of connection. In those moments, you feel both small and infinite, a part of the intricate web of life. The soul recognizes this connection instinctively, reminding you of your place in the grand design of existence.

 

Acts of creation can also stir the soul. When you write, paint, sculpt, or cook with focus and love, you leave a part of yourself in your creation. It’s not merely about the end result; it’s about the process of bringing something into being, of channeling your inner self into a tangible form.

Even in relationships, the soul finds its voice. When you are deeply present with someone—whether you’re laughing, listening, or simply sitting together in silence—you feel a connection that goes beyond words. It’s a mutual recognition, a moment where two souls meet and share the beauty of existence.

Michael A. Singer sees the soul as the pure observer, the essence of who you are beyond your thoughts, emotions, and physical form. In his view, the soul exists in a state of serene awareness, watching the mind’s chatter and the ebb and flow of life. To experience the soul, he suggests stepping back from identifying with the mind and instead dwelling in the peace of simple presence.

 

In all these moments—whether immersed in music, captivated by nature, or lost in the joy of creation—you touch the essence of your soul. These experiences reveal the wonder of being, the boundless beauty of life, and the unshakeable truth of who you are. It’s in these moments that the soul whispers, “This is what it means to truly live.”

Ordinary Enlightenment

 

In the book, Ordinary Enlightenment (2000), John C. Robinson illuminates a profound truth: the sacred is not something distant or rarefied but is woven into the very fabric of everyday life. He offers a vision of spirituality that is deeply grounded and accessible, inviting us to experience closeness with God not through extraordinary rituals or ascetic practices, but in the quiet beauty of the present moment. Robinson reveals that enlightenment is not a lofty, unattainable state reserved for mystics or saints—it is a living reality, ever-present and waiting to be embraced in the simplest acts of existence.

For Robinson, the divine presence is not something separate from the world but permeates all things. It shimmers in the rustling of leaves, glows in the innocent laughter of a child, and pulses in the steady rhythm of our breathing. The sacred is alive in the ordinary, he teaches, and when we awaken to this truth, life itself becomes a sacrament. 

At the heart of Robinson’s approach is a call to mindfulness and reverence. He invites us to slow down, to pause amidst the rush of daily life, and to perceive the divine gifts that surround us. Gratitude becomes the key to opening our hearts, while contemplative prayer and deep awareness guide us into communion with the infinite.

 

This practice transforms the mundane into the miraculous, revealing the world not as a series of tasks to be completed but as a sacred dance of God’s love and creativity.

 

In embracing this perspective, Robinson urges us to surrender the illusion of separation from the divine. The barriers we imagine—between ourselves and God, between the spiritual and the physical—melt away when we enter this state of sacred awareness. What emerges is a profound realization: we are, and have always been, one with the infinite. In this unity, life becomes an ongoing invitation to feel the sacred pulse of existence, to marvel at the divine presence that animates all things.

 

Robinson’s insights resonate deeply, reminding us that enlightenment is not a journey away from life but into its very heart. To live fully, to see with awakened eyes, is to walk in the presence of God, where every moment holds the potential for transformation. It is a call to rediscover the wonder of simply being alive, where even the most ordinary experiences shine with the light of the eternal. 

 

The Loving Eyes of God

 

In Chapter 19, The Loving Eyes of God, Michael A. Singer unveils the profound and transformative beauty of perceiving life through the lens of divine love. He invites us to step beyond the barriers of fear, judgment, and ego constructed by the mind, and to open ourselves to the infinite, unconditional love flowing from the heart of God. This love is not an abstract idea or a fleeting emotion; it is the essence of existence itself, the eternal truth that animates all creation. Singer reminds us that God’s love is not something we must earn or prove ourselves worthy of—it is ever-present, patiently waiting for us to awaken to its reality.

 

With unyielding clarity and heartfelt passion, Singer dismantles the illusions that keep us separated from this love. The mind, with its incessant chatter and compulsive need for control, blinds us to the truth that we are already cradled in the infinite embrace of the divine. To see the world through the eyes of God is to perceive perfection not despite life’s challenges, but because of them. Every moment, every breath, and every experience—whether joyful or painful—carries the imprint of divine purpose and grace. When we surrender to this love, we are liberated from fear and doubt, rising into the sacred flow of life where peace and freedom abound.

 

The experience of being close to God’s love is nothing short of transformative. It is to feel wholly held, cherished, and complete. This love imbues the soul with an unshakable sense of safety, dissolving the need to control or defend. It transcends all understanding, filling the heart with boundless compassion, gratitude, and awe. Through the loving eyes of God, the world is no longer ordinary; it becomes a holy landscape, and every moment a sacred offering. This shift in perception extends beyond the self, touching relationships, actions, and the very essence of our presence in the world, radiating divine light in all we do.

 

Singer calls us with fervent devotion to surrender to this infinite love, to let it guide us, and to live in the luminous truth of our eternal connection to God. In this surrender lies the ultimate freedom, the greatest joy, and the deepest purpose of our lives. It is a call to live not just in the knowledge of God’s love but in the fullness of its transformative power.