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Who Are You?

As was mentioned previously, the Soul can be conceived as existing on five fundamental levels. Three of these levels exist within the duality of time and space, and two exist above duality in what we might consider the spiritual or astral realms. Our aim is to transcend all duality and dwell in the "House of God" in perfect harmony. This does not mean we surrender our individuality or cease to exist, as taught in Buddhism and Adi Shankara’s school of Hinduism. The understanding here can be thought of as Achintya-Bheda-Abheda or simultaneous, inconceivable oneness, and difference. This is the conception taught by the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan, the famed disciples of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486–1534). They were:

1. Rupa Goswami: (1489–1564) Known for discovering holy places associated with Krishna.
2. Sanatana Goswami: (1488–1558) A senior figure among the Six Goswamis.
3. Jiva Goswami: (1513–1598) The nephew of Rupa and Sanatana.
4. Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami: (1505–1579)
5. Raghunatha dasa Goswami (1494-1586):
6. Gopal Bhatta Goswami (1503–1578)

The spiritual realms are beyond our comprehension and cannot, therefore, be limited to two. These are matters of conception rather than certainty. Theologically, this understanding seeks to integrate strict dualistic theology (known as Dvaita) as taught by the Indian sage Madhvacharya (1199 or 1238-1278 or 1317) and the monistic theology (called Advaita) of Adi Shankara (8th century CE). These two schools of thought are found in our shared experience, and Achintya-Bheda-Abheda seeks to unite them and Sanatana Dharma theology. With this doctrine, it is understood that we are of God because God is One, and yet we exist as individuals. We are one with God, our source, and yet we exist as eternal individuals.

Within every living entity is a nefesh, to use the Hebrew term, an essential or 'animal soul.' Humans alone have the ability to rise above the nefesh and reclaim their true non-physical identities. There is no essential difference between the Biblical and Vedic understanding here. Our spiritual elevation or ascension is the goal of all forms of light spirituality. It is called Self-Realization and God Consciousness.

There are various spiritual and non-spiritual activities that can assist in this ascension, and we will discuss several of these as time goes on. As discussed later, I believe the highest of these methods is bhakti yoga in the Sanatana Dharma. This is the Way of loving devotional service with faith in One God. We will discuss various methods of spiritual development later in this course, including bhakti yoga. For now, we are seeking to understand what we are as living souls. Grasping everything that follows is unnecessary, but an overview should be helpful.

There are three modes of material nature (or triguṇa) that keep humans bound to the illusion (maya) that the Soul can find true satisfaction within duality. Understand that there are three fundamental qualities (triguṇa) found within the confines of time and space. These are present within all things and beings in material existence to various degrees. Animals operate according to the constant tugging of these qualities. Higher Souls can struggle with them through self-control in order to better themselves and break free from the hold of these temporary, illusory pleasures. These three guṇas are called:

• Sattva Guna: Goodness, righteousness, calmness, spiritual harmony;
• Rajas Guna: Passion, lustful activity, greed, jealousy, hypocrisy;
and
• Tamas Guna Ignorance, sloth, apathy, and laziness.

Let's pause and consider material nature in which the triguṇa operates and enslaves the world.

The five levels as conceived in biblical theology:

The Five Levels of the Soul

1. Nefesh: The "animal soul" handles basic physical needs and life functions. All living entities have/are this soul.
2. Ruach: The "wind" or "spirit soul." The Spirit of God imparts this soul to everyone who seeks spiritual liberation. It enthuses the emotions and personality by elevating the entity beyond its animalistic instincts.
3. Neshama: The "breath" soul, representing a deeper spiritual awareness and connection to God and spiritual reality.
4. Chaya: The "life" soul further elevates spiritual consciousness beyond material awareness.
5. Yechida: The "oneness" or unified soul that represents the ultimate unity with the Divine source. In Hebrew this state of existence is called devekut.

More insight into these five is provided by Sanatana Dharma as the Pancha Bhutas or Five Foundational Elements of all existence.

Elements of Existence

	Soul Level Nephesh Ruach Neshama Chaya Yechida		Bhuta Ruling Element Akasha (Aether) Vayu (Air) Agni (Fire) Apas (Water) Prithvi (Earth)		Human Body Componant Aether Air Fire Water Earth		Associated Digit Thumb Index Finger Middle finger Ring finger Little finger		Spiritual Consort Prithvi Bharati Svaha Varuni Akasha		Primary Perception Sound Touch Sight Taste Smell		Primary Sense Organ Ears Skin Eyes Tongue Nose

Elements of Existence

>

	Soul Level Akasha Vayu Agni Apas Prithvia		Directions East West South North Center, balance		Character Expansion, enhancement Movements, joy, happiness Power, confidence, fame Spirituality, ideas, thoughts, healing Stability, peace and harmony		Taste/Rasa Madhura/Sweet Amla/Sour Lavana/Salty Katu/Bitter Tikta/Pungent Kashaya/Astringent		Associated Bhuta Jala, Prithvi (Earth and Water) Prithvi, Agni (Earth and Fire) Jala, Agni (Water and Fire) Vayu, Agni (Air and Fire) Akasha, Vayu (Aether and Air) Vayu, Prithvi (Air and Earth)

The Pancha Bhutas are the basic elements that make up any living organisms on Earth or anywhere else in the known universe. By enthusing these various elements with prana (life force), it is possible to impact healing and well-being. The associated elements can be activated through dhyāna or meditation. There are several associated techniques to do this. Understanding these requires much study and practice.

Mudras

The five fingers act like connecting rods with their associated elements. By utilizing the mudras, one can connect the various energies through intentionally channelized hand mudras. It works like opening and closing circuit boards. There are said to be close to 399 mudras. Later in this study, we will devote time to unlocking these gestures. The important thing to remember with such topics is that all healing, etc., ultimately comes from One God alone. Just as God sometimes uses medical practitioners to heal, so too, asanas (Yoga postures) and mudras can help facilitate within the areas assigned to them by One God.

Question: Which of the five soul levels do you mostly operate from? Which of the other shared elements do you relate with?

Who Are You?
The Sound of Silence, Part 1

Spiritual

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