There are many reasons to raise difficult questions. Whether the inquires are about sentient existence, the universe, and origins of life, or God, death, and the after-life, questions will and should surface. By questioning human existence and surroundings we allow ourselves to become vastly more intelligent and earnestly attempt to solve some of the deeply rooted philosophical issues all humans contemplate, such as the aforementioned. Today I will address my own beliefs -what I have amounted thus far in my quest- about the metaphysical qualities pertaining to the soul.
First off, what is this ‘soul’ and what characteristics does it acquire?
Through meditation and some knowledge of eastern and western philosophy, I have come to my conclusion in regards to this query. I believe the soul is: a combination of infinite spiritual energy that emanates throughout the physical memory of a sentient host and strives to achieve that being's intrinsic aspiration of happiness. Unless you have studied some amount philosophy and modern physics, I suspect that definition may have been a little too much to handle; in consequence, to understand this explanation, it is crucial to comprehend the individual aspects of it.
I shall start with energy, as it is the ultimate element permeating throughout the universe. Every single spiritual and physical molecule in the universe is pure energy in its basic form. According to quantum mechanics, energy is the amino acid of all elements; it cannot be created or destroyed, only reused and harnessed. Consequently, because the soul is energy, it must be infinite as well. The borrowed Greek term, Monad, is used by philosopher Gottfried Leibniz, and chiefly describes the ‘energy’ I am discussing. Leibniz states that one simple element is the build of the universe and creates a three-tiered hierarchy of entelechies, souls, and spirits. Another philosopher, Lady Anne Finch, also uses the term ‘Monad’ in regards to the basic element, in her case God, which is the building block of the universe. I too shall borrow the Greek term for my metaphysical purposes; although, my definition will be different from Leibniz’s and Conway’s for I do not concern the Divine within the energy. This being said, there are two different “types” of Monads; some are spiritual and become harnessed in the creation of sentient beings, and the other energy is used to create physical bodies. My definition for spiritual Monads is not the nature of the divine; however, a spiritual Monad is any element or physical being which is alive or creates life- thus the spiritual energy is exclusive to all forms of life. As for physical Monads, this form fabricates structures and substances with the purpose of supporting spiritual beings. Due to the limits of these individual roles, Monads may combine to serve purposes that a singular type of energy may not be able to fulfill. Such combination between spiritual and physical energy is the formation of terrestrial planets such as Earth-physical bodies that are not necessarily alive, yet harness factors such as regeneration in order to harbor life and allow for its creation.
The physical memory refers to the physical body of a sentient being. Through the body every experience a being encounters is saved through what I call physical memory. Be it a human or animal biological system- bones, skin, organs, blood, and other elements- a tree’s branches and trunk, grass blades, an orange’s peel, and the list continues, this physical memory affects them all. In the case of humans and animals, when the skin or hair contacts any surface, or the organism breaths, a transfer of energy is completed and a permanent effect is rendered upon that life form. This effect is infinitely accumulated throughout that creature’s body, and in turn, its’ spiritual Monads. Since energy is an infinite substance, when an organism “dies,” or ceases to exist in its current state of being, the body will decompose until it is returned to the basic form of pure energy and then it is reused in the fabrication of some other form; thus a state of atomist reincarnation. Along this fathomless journey, the amassed memories will remain within the spiritual Monad and when a new form is created, the memories partake in forming the creation. It is through this theory that the idea of the universe being in everything, and everything is within in the universe gains solidified ground to stand upon.
There are many spiritual and physical levels of consciousness that sentient beings are attracted to; nonetheless, only one of these is intrinsically desired and pursued by all conscious bodies. From plants and animals, to humans and bacteria, the universal goal of happiness is present for it is the ultimate ambition of every living being, and is the intrinsic will behind all action. I define happiness as: the enlightened fulfillment of any physical or spiritual desire. This desire accounts for every activity a conscious life form partakes in. From listening to music, to physical nourishment, even negative procedures such as murdering a stranger, all action done by a conscious being is done to make one happy. If this concept is difficult to grasp perhaps Socrates will illuminate the darkness in your mind. Socrates would argue no one knowingly and deliberately does evil; meaning if one’s actions are intended to create happiness for the self, then in the moment of action, regardless of what the proceedings may be, to the individual his or her action is righteous as it brings that person happiness. If happiness is the will behind all action and the soul’s ambition is to achieve this enlightened state, where does happiness originate?
Through the soul’s physical memory, the knowledge of happiness is present prior to the spiritual being’s involvement. When spiritual Monads combine to create a life form, the intrinsic happiness which will drive that organism is already programmed into the being. In consequence, every form of happiness a being is able to experience is predetermined at conception. It is because of this predetermined aspect of the soul ultimate free will is eliminated. By ultimate free will I am discussing the idea that a being is free to choose to enact whatever action he or she wishes at any time, regardless of the consequences or motivation behind said action. Perhaps further along in my quest of life I will discover a new definition that leaves the proponent of free will intact; alas as for now the findings of the soul presented to me during mediation do not allow for the ultimate state of free will.
This is an incomplete definition of the soul. As my ideas stand right now, they are highly controversial since I place the soul into a physical category, and paradoxes are created. I am striving to obtain a clearer and more concise definition; for now however, this is what I have. It is only the beginning; there is an abundance of meaningful questions and answers on the way.
