THE idea of the soul has fascinated humanity since the dawn of history. Across cultures the soul is regarded as the essence of human existence, the unseen spark that animates the body and connects the individual to the divine. While interpretations differ, the soul consistently emerges as a bridge between the temporal and the eternal.

Science

 While avoiding metaphysical subjects, the mystery of consciousness and the subjective experience of being alive remain deep unsolved questions in science.

Abrahamic traditions

The Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam share a belief in the soul as God’s creation and as being at the core of human identity.

In Judaism, the Hebrew term nephesh refers to the living being, often translated as “soul” or “life.” The book of Genesis describes how God “breathed into man’s nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.” The book of Proverbs says, “The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD” (Proverbs 20:27). Jewish thought holds that the soul originates with God and returns to Him after death.

In Christianity, the soul is immortal and distinct from the body. Early Christian thinkers like Augustine emphasised the soul’s central role in salvation and its journey after death. Christian theology views the soul as answerable to God, destined for eternal union or separated from Him through sin. The soul is not only a reflection of divine breath but also the seat of free will, moral choice, and accountability. Thus, salvation of the soul lies at the heart of Christianity.

Islam presents the soul—nafs—as both the self and the inner essence. The Qur’an describes God creating humans by breathing His spirit into clay. Islamic thought distinguishes between levels of the soul; the base self that succumbs to desire, the self that reproaches wrongdoing, and the purified self at peace with God. Ultimately, the soul’s destiny lies in the afterlife, where it stands before God for judgment. To believers, the Qur’an says: “He has succeeded who purifies it and he has failed who corrupts it” (Qur’an 91:9-10).

Across these three traditions, the soul is created by God, endowed with responsibility, and destined for accountability beyond physical existence.

Hinduism

In Hindu philosophy, the soul known as atma, is seen as eternal, unborn, and indestructible. The Bhagavad Gita states “The soul can neither be cut by any weapons, burn by fire nor drowned in water” (Ch2 v23). Just as a person discards old clothes and puts on new ones, the soul casts off a worn body and takes up another in the cycle of reincarnation. This understanding brings a strong emphasis on karma: every thought, word, and action shapes the soul’s journey. Liberation (moksha) is the soul’s ultimate goal, where it transcends the illusion (maya) of this physical existence.

The Brahma Kumaris’ perspective

The Brahma Kumaris present a clear view of the soul as a separate entity that inhabits the instrument of the body and acts through it in the same way as a driver who operates his car. They describe the soul as a point of eternal light, an infinitesimal spark of spiritual energy. The soul forever remains distinct and separate from the Supreme Soul. While each individual soul is eternal, unique, and full of innate virtues like peace, purity, and love, God is seen as the supreme source of these virtues who, unlike the human soul, never takes birth in a physical body.

Common threads, unique insights

While the Abrahamic religions emphasise accountability, divine judgment, and the soul’s relationship with God, Hinduism highlights the soul’s eternal nature and its journey through reincarnation. The Brahma Kumaris contribute a meditative perspective, stressing soul-consciousness as the key to self-realisation and harmony. Early thinkers and modern scientists, though often working outside religious frameworks, still grapple with the mystery of what makes us conscious, showing that the soul—whether spiritual essence or emergent property—remains one of humanity’s deepest questions.

Conclusion

The study of the soul reveals both diversity and unity among human thought. Each tradition offers a lens through which to view life’s mysteries; our origins, purpose, and ultimate destiny. The Abrahamic faiths call us to accountability before God, Hinduism invites us to realise our eternal essence, the Brahma Kumaris remind us to awaken to our spiritual identity, and science challenges us to rethink what consciousness really means. Together, they enrich humanity’s search for meaning and remind us that while beliefs may differ, the quest to understand the soul is universal.

Vijai Sadal is a student of the Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Meditation Centre. He can be reached at vijai@pepesmkt.com