Challenges of the Soul
June 9, 2023
Archaeologists in South Eastern Turkey have discovered an 8th century B.C. stone slab that provides the first written evidence that people believed in a soul (World Archaeology Issue 33, Jan 6, 2009). Also, as early as the Old Kingdom (ca. 2649–2130 B.C.), Egyptian theology held that the soul has nine different parts (Arab America, Sarah P. Young, 2019). And the ancient Vedas of India, sacred Sanskrit texts, attest that as early as 3,000 BC, people believed the soul is our essence and contains various qualities. See The Four Desires: Creating a Life of Purpose, Happiness, Prosperity, and Freedom by Rod Stryker (Delacorte Press, July 2011).
Looking closely at Mr. Stryker's work and that of other scholars, the ancient Vedas have four distinct aspects of the soul, each of which carries a distinct desire. The four soul desires are dharma, artha, kama and moksha. As a part of our essence, each fulfills a specific function. The first and foremost desire is that of dharma, which is our desire for meaning. The second is artha, the desire for the material to fulfill our meaning and purpose. The third soul desire is kama, the desire for pleasure. Finally, moksha is the soul's longing to experience the divine, liberation from all limitations, and freedom from the burdens of the temporal life.
Dharma is the desire for purpose. Every soul has such a desire, whether great or small. This is the desire to be, to thrive and to do. The desire to achieve one’s unique purpose is so deep within that many of us are not in touch with it. Therefore, we feel aimless, untethered or that we are searching for our real life.
The challenges to this desire are myriad and include our unhealthy ego desires. Ego wishes divert us from the spiritual meaning inherent in illness, loss and impairment. The ego sees these as blocks, derailments and anathemas to its story. But the ego's story, regardless of how fantastical or benevolent it may appear to be, bars the soul from realizing its purpose. The ego’s story veils us from our soul’s reason to be. This is when there is a deep weariness and darkness experienced at our depths.
However, many souls meet the challenge by relentlessly seeking their purpose despite the diversions, distractions and egoic pulls. Even the journey to purpose affirms the soul. But once we discover our soul's purpose and live in Divine Guidance, we are grounded in consciousness.
To meet the challenge of purposelessness, the soul searches everywhere for its reason to be. It is willing to look at relationships, circumstances and its depths to find their meaning. The soul makes space for the Divine to land inside herself every day.
Inquiry: Do I know my purpose and live in it?
Dear God,
For my true purpose, I am so grateful. Amen.
Make peace with your ego and discover your true path today. We will share Dr. Howell's full daily reflection and prayer on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. To receive the full week, please complete the form below to begin your journey into who God has made you to be. The path to wholeness starts now!
