Can You Describe The Soul?

[Gauracandra 1]

I found this interesting. It is an orthodox Jewish explanation of the soul. It certainly is an interesting explanation, and I think quite compatible with Vaisnavism.

 

 

In the Tanya, the magnum opus of the Chabad school of Chassidic thought, the soul is described as "A portion of The Living G-d." To understand this, picture a thick black cloth held over a lit flashlight. Now, prick a hole in it with a sharp-tipped object--and a pinpoint of light shines through. The light is G-d, the cloth is the body, and that little pinpoint of light--the "portion of G-d"--is the soul. This means that the Jewish soul is a spark of G-dliness within every individual. It is the person's responsibility to allow that spark to express itself through one's thoughts, speech, and action, which are collectively known as the garments of the soul. Since the soul is a spark of G-dliness, it is considered to be infinite in its own right. The soul represents the individual's eternal and unbreakable connection with the Almighty. From this one may deduce that accessing the soul is the most profound experience possible.

 

The relation of the body and soul may be compared to the relationship of a light bulb and household electrical current. Without an electrical current, the bulb simply cannot glow. But when that switch is flipped, the light goes on. So too it is with the body and soul: it is from the soul that the body draws the lifeforce necessary to live.

 

The soul is eternal and lives forever--it merely changes its "primary place of residence" throughout its existence.

 

So, have you expressed your soul today?

 

 

[theist 1]

What is the Tanya?

[Guest guest]

the hasidim follow a different philosophy

then the other types of judaism.

Judaism is like hinduism in that their are

contradictory philosophies under the name of judaism or hinduism.

Out of all the judaic religions hasidic

philosophy is by far the closest to vaisnavism.

[theist 1]

I spoke to a Hasidic Rabbi one time for a brief period.I was surprised to learn they believe in reincarnation and even that animals also have souls.

 

We never got too deep into it as we were interuppted.It did seem that they consider a type of gradations of souls and in relationship to the Supreme Lord, with Jewish souls being at the top(of course /ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif )and therefore destined to a closer relationship to God.

[Guest guest]

Which soul? There are uncountable trillions of them, and they're all unique. Try Sri Sri Radha-Krsna-Ganoddesa-dipika for some nice discriptions. Funny thing there are worshipable superiors there, but it doesn't mention any jews at the top of the list, must have changes their names by de-body, A de-programing experience.