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Title: What is the soul?
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URL Source: http://english.pravda.ru/science/mysteries/15-01-2015/129528-soul-0/
Published: Jan 20, 2015
Author: Michael Pravica, Ph.D
Post Date: 2015-01-20 03:30:35 by Tatarewicz
Keywords: None
Views: 325
Comments: 10
Pravda... Christianity and many other religions sets forth the tenet that God gave all humans a soul, the "breath of life," which is the essence of consciousness (the ability to be aware of the past, present and future) and the essence of their awareness of being. Christians believe that we were created in God's image and are a part of God, the Creator of our Universe and probably many more universes [1-2]. As a religious physicist, I have argued that God is an infinite (or at least higher dimensional) entity who may simultaneously exist inside our Universe and outside of our universe via the Holy Trinity [1]. Consequently, I have struggled to understand how we as finite humans residing in finite four-dimensional spacetime (x,y,z, and t) could also be a part of God who is likely infinite. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, also resided in our four-dimensional Universe. There are details associated with His glorious resurrection that I think may offer tremendous insight and clues into what our soul may constitute, which, thinking deeply about gave me an epiphany of sorts that I will presently discuss. One of the most fascinating aspects of being human is the ability to create. Creation, in some sense, requires the ability to "think outside of the box" and to distance or separate the mind from the problem to be solved or studies as an external, unbiased observer. In fact, mathematics might be viewed as our effort to establish a logical template for our apparently infinite ability to create (at least in our minds which I call the playground of the infinities). Yet our mathematics goes far beyond conventional four dimensional spacetime - beyond our learned and physical intuition - and predicts higher dimensions (as required for String Theory, e.g.) and even predicted non-Euclidean (Lobachevskian and Riemannian space) which was later integrated into Einstein's relativity (via spacetime curvature). Thus, it would appear that there is something fundamental associated with our ability to create that can transcend spacetime and biology which I argue is integral to our soul. When Jesus perished on the Cross and was resurrected three days later, numerous witnesses attested to the fact that He could pass through walls. How could one person living in our universe be able to go through walls? Well, if one lives in a higher dimension encompassing our universe, it becomes very easy to go through walls. This reminds me of the famous novel, Flatland [3-4], where a three dimensional sphere visits a two dimensional square imprisoned in a two dimensional jail and the sphere seemingly appears (to the square) as a two dimensional circle, which first grows in diameter, then diminishes, and then disappears. Thus, if resurrected Jesus had higher dimensional properties, then His ability to literally appear and disappear from rooms and walk through walls could be a logical possibility [5]. Beyond this, considering all of the miracles attributed to Jesus, where and what was His energy source? How could God appear to Moses as a cool fire? Could they not have come from other dimensions that we just can't see? On top of this, I have always wondered how souls could manage to travel the full span/dimensions of our Universe - assuming that it is bounded, and if they were so inclined - without the requirement that the journey would require thousands of years assuming they travel at the speed of light [1-2]. Now for pure energy traveling at this speed, time does cease, but for those of us rooted as physical matter (i.e. with physical bodies), we would never be able to witness their full journey to the ends of spacetime in our lifetimes. Thus, it occurred to me that we, like God, must have a component of our being that transcends four dimensional spacetime just as we can so easily do in our imagination. In that spirit (literally), our soul must be infinitely- or at least higher- dimensional to enable our creativity. Then, travel of enormous distances (e.g. parsecs) becomes trivial for the untethered soul - moving from one four dimensional spacetime point to another - by moving to a higher dimension and back to four dimensions. For example, traveling from the North pole to the South pole along the curved surface of the Earth is far longer than by tunneling through the center of the Earth. Wormholes have been postulated as a means to enable and assist the astonishingly enormous distances associated with space and/or time travel [6-7]. These distances may be nearly impossible for us to journey as four dimensional matter-constituent creatures (except for Jesus, of course, the Son of God - the Creator of everything), but our soul can probably easily travel them if it has a higher dimensional component. Viewed in this way, we can better understand how someone resurrected might be able to appear out of nowhere and easily pass through walls. There are of course other means (e.g. quantum tunneling) to traverse seemingly impossible barriers but that would take us too far afield. Human soul is tiny piece of infinite whole We can also better understand the efforts of those who seek to deny or take us away from God to "prove" that all of our existence is completely confined within the "reality" of four dimensional spacetime which, in my opinion, is not completely. We do live in a spacetime "bubble" of sorts which works quite nicely on its own principles of physics. However, the very fact that our universe is expanding into nothingness just as a two dimensional balloon surface expands in three dimensions of space demonstrates in my opinion that there are higher dimensions outside of our universe. Even String Theory predicts this [8]. Materialism can be considered as an attempt to confine our free dimensionally-transcending spirits within the limits of our universe and to forget that we have something inside each of us that is far greater and to hide us away and from and make us forget about the likely infinitely-dimensional Creator of spacetime and of many more universes of potentially varying dimensions - God. When our material/physical bodies perish, our infinitely-dimensional or higher dimensional soul returns to its Creator and escapes the confines of our universe. In my opinion, our souls are tiny pieces of an infinite and yet ever-growing whole. This is how we were created in God's image - we are infinitely or at least higher dimensional pieces of God. I do not pretend to claim that my simple theory explains everything, nor that it is necessarily "correct." It is only a theory, of course. But it certainly inspires me to continue the quest for better understanding of my Creator which I suspect will never end. It also demonstrates that science and theology are not at odds with one another but in my opinion, mutually inspire and complement one another [9]. You can be a scientist and believe in God despite those who ignorantly claim otherwise. I will close my essay with a vision that I just can't seem to get of my head. That is of large numbers of fireflies (souls), generating their own creative energy/light within a span of different universes of varying dimensions flying into the infinite expanse of darkness/nothingness, illuminating it, all in the presence of an infinitely bright light (God) that created them all. It's a truly beautiful vision. Glory be to God! Michael Pravica References: english.pravda.ru/history...13/125783-holy_trinity-0/ english.pravda.ru/science...22-god_stephen_hawking-0/ Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions (Dover Thrift Editions) by Edwin A. Abbott. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatland https://humblesmith.wordpress.com/2011/04/23/what-is-the-nature-of-jesus-resurrected-body/ usatoday30.usatoday.com/v...nterstellar/3881470785001 www.space.com/28000-physi...=514630_20150103_37620577 www.superstringtheory.com/experm/exper5.html www.washingtontimes.com/n...18/20051218-125508-8571r/
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#1. To: Tatarewicz (#0)
One answer, perhaps not 'the' answer: “The aim of the Christian life is to return to that perfect grace of the most holy and life-giving Spirit, which was originally conferred upon us through divine baptism”—Saint Ignatius Xanthopoulos and Saint Kallistos 
-Alex Kurtagic
#2. To: Tatarewicz (#0)
Pretty cool and very interesting!
#3. To: Tatarewicz (#0) (Edited)
I share this guy's views in many ways. Souls are extradimensional in nature. As such, they are not limited to the laws of this universe. Einstein's speed-of-light limitation being one example. That law may well be correct, but if so, it only applies to objects and material from this universe. Souls are extra dimensional, and therefore do not have that limitation. Another law is the conservation of energy which states that everything decays to a lower and lower energy state. The immortality of souls would seem to violate this principle, but if that law only applies to this universe, and souls are extra dimensional, then souls are not subject to that law either. Theologically, the extra dimentional nature of souls would easily explain why we are loved far more than anything in this universe, living or non-living. The entire universe is expendable and will eventually expire, so serves only as a playground of sorts. But we souls are immortal. And yes, I agree we are "pieces of God" in a way. According to Michael Newton's findings, souls are "born" from God (though "the Source" seems to be the favored term) in this extra dimensional spirit world. As souls grow and become stronger, energy of souls becomes more concentrated. Souls also have the ability to use their energy to alter aspects of this universe we live in, though the vast majority of us are too weak to do so in any noticeable or measurable way, but I theorize it is why prayer sometimes works, and why miraculous healings sometimes occur (and conveniently explains the placebo effect which science has yet to explain). Souls are far more than this. Souls also contain a large amount of the personality defining who we are, such as our virtues and vices. Most of what we are is "soul", while our human bodies and brains are only a minor aspect of our identity. It's much like in this life wearing one day a fine suit, and the next day, ripped jeans and t-shirts. The body and soul are related in the same way. The cloths don't change what we truly are inside, but are only a temporary identity. Our brains do influence us in some ways, particularly if there are functional problems (mental issues) but our brains will eventually fail and die. I find this all as fascinating a subject as the author above. God gave all humans a soul, the "breath of life," which is the essence of consciousness (the ability to be aware of the past, present and future) and the essence of their awareness of being.
#4. To: Pinguinite (#3)
On the other hand the soul may be just a field, mostly internal, generated by billions of electrochemical reactions in and between cells, shaped by experience, learning and memories. Some may be able to project the field beyond the body, even beyond death.
#5. To: Tatarewicz (#4)
In that scenario: Souls are simply a product of this universe and are not extra dimensional. As such, they should be subject to the laws of this universe, including the law of conservation of energy and thermodymanics. IOW, have a limited lifespan. Also, all physical life could potentially create souls, meaning there is no material difference between humans, animals and even bacteria. Ergo, there's nothing special about us humans. This would also not explain incidents/claims of past life recall or child prodegies. On the other hand the soul may be just a field, mostly internal, generated by billions of electrochemical reactions in and between cells, shaped by experience, learning and memories. Some may be able to project the field beyond the body, even beyond death.
#6. To: Pinguinite (#5)
Probably are but we first have to establish the nature of the field. Don't even know what magnetic field consists of. My Chinese friend is convinced her late dog had a soul, recently came to visit her, went poof when she attempted to touch it. they should be subject to the laws of this universe,
#7. To: Tatarewicz (#6)
According to Michael Newton, it appears that every living creature emits a vibrational frequency that is detectable through the cosmos and even extradimensionally. Souls navigate to new bodies at incarnation and also upon death to return to the spirit world by following the desired vibrational patterns. Basically, by tuning into a certain desired "frequency" of sorts, then following the source of that "frequency". It seems souls do not need 3D navigation skills which are inherent in our human brains, necessary for survival on earth. Of course, the technical explanation for all that is far beyond anyone's scientific guess, and the human mind, as a product of this universe, may very well be completely inadequate for dealing with extra dimensional concepts. In any event, these vibrations emitted by all living things can be recovered and used to recreate any animal or pet in complete detail, including behavioral characteristics and memory, all of that even without having an actual soul. So there is potential room is this model for your friends experience. Of course, ordinary dreaming and other psychological factors could also explain it. Probably are but we first have to establish the nature of the field. Don't even know what magnetic field consists of.
My Chinese friend is convinced her late dog had a soul, recently came to visit her, went poof when she attempted to touch it.
#8. To: Pinguinite (#7)
Souls came up for discussion on C2C Wed, particularly dual souls: . According to Native American beliefs, we have two souls, one is the life soul, and the other is the free soul, which travels out into the galaxy as part of its judgment and return to the land of the ancestors. The life soul could cause problems if it lingered on Earth, so human remains were typically cremated. But if people wanted a soul to be reincarnated, the bodies were sometimes buried in tombs inside the mounds, he detailed. Excavations from the 1800s and early 1900s found giant skeletons in large tombs buried deep inside these mounds. There were legends that an elite group of people 7-8 ft. tall (the average height of the Adena native people was 5 ft. 4 in.) ruled the locals and oversaw construction of the mounds and earthworks, which were ritualistic devices employed to assist souls making the transition between this world and the next, Little explained. Interestingly, Cayce believed that as our souls move through the universe, they reincarnate on different worlds, as part of their evolutionary process www.coasttocoastam.com/show/2015/01/21 And these seems to be part of East Indian culture: HOW TO TELL IF YOU’RE DOUBLE-SOULED By Marge Floori on January 18, 2010 What happens when two souls are reincarnated in a single body? That is the provocative question that Dr. Sankar Khan is attempting to answer. “Some individuals are not truly one person, but two,” says Dr. Khan, who’s been conducting reincarnation studies in Mumbai, India, for the past 26 years. According to Dr. Khna, a reincarnated soul enters its new body when the fetus is at an early stage of development. “Usually a single soul enters the embryo – but sometimes two spirits, eager to be reborn, each elbow their way into the child. “When this occurs, the body usually responds and the result is a splitting of the embryo into two, leading to the birth of twins.” This explains why many identical twins, though raised in the same environment, are polar opposites in personality, he adds. In rare cases the two spirits develop a powerful bond and the flesh refuses to part completely, notes Dr. Khan. “This results in conjoined twins.” And sometimes physical division fails to take place at all. “When the spirits are very different in nature this can lead to the tragic condition known as ‘multiple personality disorder,'” says the expert. “In these cases there are two radically different persons trapped in one body, taking turns controlling it – totally unaware of one another. In a few instances, more than a dozen souls end up crowded together in a chaotic jumble!” Normally, however, two souls can co-exist harmoniously. “Usually one spirit is dominant and the other remains dormant, asserting itself only in times of stress,” says Dr. Khan. “I estimate that this is the case of perhaps 1 in 10 people. “A telltale sign of such individuals is their tendency to talk to themselves, as they consult their inner companion.” Occasionally, the seams do show, he adds. “Typically, throughout their lives, double-souled individuals tend to be full of inner conflict. “Again and again, they find themselves torn between two lovers, two career goals, two dreams of the future. “Each of their souls pulls them in an opposite direction.” Are you double-souled? According to Dr. Khan, you are likely to be double-souled if you: – Have difficulty making important decisions, swaying first in one direction, then the other. – Talk to yourself often throughout the day. – Are ambidextrous. – Often find yourself in love with more than one person at the same time. – Frequently “can’t believe” what you did the night before. – Alternate between using your real name and a special nickname. – Sometimes sign your name so differently that it is almost unrecognizable. – Love a song one day and later, can’t stand it.
#9. To: Tatarewicz (#8)
Very interesting... Dr Michael Newton's portrait of who and what we are and why we are here, obtained through questioning clients under deep hypnosis recalling past lives and even the between life state, really makes a lot of simple sense. In comparison to the Native American and Asian Indian beliefs: Newton never relates any case of 2 or more souls being in the same body or of there being two sub-types of souls (life soul & free soul). The physical body is of no importance whatsoever after death, so cremating, sea or earth burial or left to decay or as scavenger food impacts the soul in no way whatsoever. The typical Christian funeral prayer of our coming from dust and returning to it is spot on. Newton does say, however, that souls do have the ability to split their energy. In fact all souls that have incarnated have done this, as the full energy of a soul is too powerful for a human body to handle. The soul "energy" that is not vested in the human body remains in the spirit world until after death when the energies remerge, in something that amounts to an extremely rejuvinating moment. Interestingly, things can go a step further, when the same soul after dividing can incarnate twice into two bodies on earth at the same time. This is rarely done and normally only done onec as it's very spiritually draining. Souls sometimes do this out of impatience in wanting to develop more quickly. It's ill-advised by our guides, but because free-will is always respected above all, souls occasionally do it anyway. Again, this according to Newton. Newton affirms that life does exist on other worlds, and souls do incarnate on those worlds as beings alien to earth life. This makes sense scientifically as the earth no longer needs to be considered something special like being the center of the universe. Newton says that there are rare cases of people who used to be on these alien worlds but who are now human. Some have difficulties adjusting to life as a human as humanity is more messed up race than, perhaps, the average alien race. hehe.... Newton affirms, says souls incarnate never before the 3rd month, usually before the 6th, and very rarely wait until just before birth. Newton's portrait of things says in the extra dimensional spirit world, such incarnation "mistakes" are never made. Things are planned much better than that. The powers there that see all ensure that. Newton affirms. Even though identical twins have the same DNA and presumably the same brain structure as a result, the personalities can vary widely. This is because no two souls are alike, and identical twins are only identical physically, not spiritually, and very significant part of our personality is defined by soul, not by brain structure / DNA. Newton makes no mention of multiple personality disorder. I suppose the Newton model of things would make "defective" brain psychiatry the explanation for that. I have 2-3 of those traits... Interestingly, Cayce believed that as our souls move through the universe, they reincarnate on different worlds, as part of their evolutionary process
According to Dr. Khna, a reincarnated soul enters its new body when the fetus is at an early stage of development.
“Usually a single soul enters the embryo – but sometimes two spirits, eager to be reborn, each elbow their way into the child.
“When this occurs, the body usually responds and the result is a splitting of the embryo into two, leading to the birth of twins.”
This explains why many identical twins, though raised in the same environment, are polar opposites in personality, he adds.
And sometimes physical division fails to take place at all. “When the spirits are very different in nature this can lead to the tragic condition known as ‘multiple personality disorder,'” says the expert. “In these cases there are two radically different persons trapped in one body, taking turns controlling it – totally unaware of one another. In a few instances, more than a dozen souls end up crowded together in a chaotic jumble!”
According to Dr. Khan, you are likely to be double-souled if you:
#10. To: Tatarewicz (#0)
Materialism can be considered as an attempt to confine our free dimensionally-transcending spirits within the limits of our universe and to forget that we have something inside each of us that is far greater and to hide us away and from and make us forget about the likely infinitely-dimensional Creator of spacetime and of many more universes of potentially varying dimensions - God. The universe as we understand it is beyond marvelous and beautiful. I believe it is beyond man's ability to comprehend it fully. I wish we could create a more peaceful attitude on this planet, one of understanding and generosity where the people are allowed to follow their passions without the restraints made necessary by the current sense of materialism. How humanity becomes a cog in the wheel of material development instead of living a more fanciful existence is truly a shame. God being the author and creator of this beautiful universe must surely be disappointed in our treatment of it and of each other. One of the most fascinating aspects of being human is the ability to create. Creation, in some sense, requires the ability to "think outside of the box" and to distance or separate the mind from the problem to be solved or studies as an external, unbiased observer.
"Honest, April 15th is April Fools Day".
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