Chapter 1: Understanding the Soul

Prepare yourself for a unique perspective.

The notion of a "soul" is a longstanding element of various spiritual and religious beliefs around the globe. Many spiritual traditions propose that individuals possess an essence distinct from their physical bodies, one that continues to exist after death. This essence is often viewed as the part of ourselves that endures beyond our physical existence.

However, scientific advancements have yet to pinpoint the soul within the body. Despite extensive research in human biology, evidence of a soul remains elusive. Yet, this perspective might be misguided. We have, in fact, identified what we refer to as the soul, albeit under a different terminology. This concept is widely acknowledged in the fields of biology and medicine, and it is something that people from all walks of life can relate to. What was historically termed as the "Soul" can now be understood as your "Metabolism."

Where is your "metabolism"? It isn't confined to a single organ, process, or section of the body. Instead, your metabolism encompasses the collective vital functions of your body that work harmoniously to sustain life. The musculoskeletal, digestive, circulatory, endocrine, and nervous systems all contribute to this intricate process. On a cellular level, most cells are equipped with mitochondria, often dubbed the "powerhouse of the cell." Thus, your entire physical being is engaged in the metabolic process.

If you sought your metabolism as a singular entity, you would be unable to find it. Similarly, if you searched for the soul as a standalone component in the body, you wouldn't be able to ascertain its precise location.

Imagine standing beside a flowing river. As you dip a cup into the water, you are left with a portion of the river, but that cup does not define the river itself. The river is characterized by the continuous flow of its water, not by any individual cup you might extract.

This analogy highlights why we lack concrete evidence of a "soul." The soul is not defined by a single cell, mitochondrion, nerve, or organ. It cannot be captured through imaging or measured with instruments. Just as a cup of water taken from a river is not the river, any singular measurement of metabolism cannot encapsulate the entirety of it. The soul, akin to metabolism, represents a process.

A river can only be described by observing its flow, just as the soul can only be understood through the holistic observation of metabolism.

The term "Metabolism" derives from the Latin word "Metabole," meaning "to change," which implies that metabolism is fundamentally a process of transformation. This transformation is most apparent in our relationship with food, as we must consume nourishment to survive. People often refer to their metabolism in relation to diet and nutrition, which is understandable. The body processes a myriad of food sources into the vital components necessary for survival, demanding the healthy functioning of various bodily systems at the molecular level.

Yet, the soul, or metabolism, extends beyond mere physicality. The mind and your distinct consciousness are also integral to the soul's process. Your thoughts, beliefs, and expectations shape your actions and influence how you interpret and navigate the world around you.

When you alter your mindset or beliefs, the repercussions extend to your habits and behaviors. These new behaviors can affect your stress levels and overall well-being, prompting the body to adapt in response to these changes, thereby impacting the metabolic process. Thus, any shift within this flow ultimately influences the entire system; the act of change, your metabolism, embodies your soul.

Many spiritual traditions recognize this connection. For instance, the Hindu concept of Karma embodies the idea that our actions significantly impact the quality of our soul—good deeds yield positive outcomes, while harmful actions result in negative consequences. This principle is echoed in various secular expressions: "Move it or lose it," "You are what you eat," "Be the change you wish to see in the world," and "Treat others as you would like to be treated."

This understanding carries profound implications for how individuals might choose to live their lives. If we equate the soul with metabolism, it encourages healthier, more active, and engaged lifestyles.

We understand that healthy eating and physical activity benefit our physical health. However, many individuals lead sedentary lifestyles, often driven by hedonistic desires that lead to poor dietary choices. If our metabolism equates to our soul, then making conscious efforts to eat healthily, prioritize rest, and engage in physical activity becomes a form of spiritual practice.

Lifting weights, for example, can serve as a meditative or prayerful experience if approached with intention.

Given that nearly every bodily system and mental process plays a role in metabolism, nearly any mindful and considerate action can transform into a spiritual endeavor. We are motivated to actively participate in our lives.

To further this understanding, we should avoid habits that harm our metabolism. Numerous factors contribute to metabolic decline, from chronic stress and sleep deprivation to unhealthy eating patterns. Additionally, issues such as chronic loneliness, poor emotional regulation, substance misuse, and other lifestyle choices significantly affect the interconnected systems of our mind and body.

By redefining the soul not as a static marker of our essence, separate from mind and body, but rather as the dynamic processes of change flowing through us, we can recognize that established concepts of human experience are, in essence, the soul we have been seeking—namely, "Metabolism."

Chapter 2: The Metabolism and Spirituality Connection

In this video, "Individuation, Carl Jung and the Psychology of Soul," we explore Carl Jung’s insights into the soul and its connection to individuation.

The second video, "Carl Jung's Mysticism & the Psychology of Soul," delves into how mystical experiences relate to the psychology of the soul according to Jungian principles.