What is the Soul? 11 Elements of Your Truest Self
When you ask, what is the soul?… you’re seeking to understand the most profound aspect of your existence.
While dictionaries define your soul in a limited way, you really want to know the full meaning of what is the soul.
As a soul coach with 25 years of experience, and the author of The Butterfly Silhouette: 12 Principles for Following Your Soul, winner of the San Francisco Book Festival in both Spirituality and Poetry, I have a unique definition for you.
You’re seeking clarity on what your soul actually is and what role it plays in your life.
This article demystifies soul meaning, offering you a clear and insightful exploration of what it is, from a non-religious viewpoint.
This is soul-centered spirituality for spiritually hungry souls, and understanding the soul begins with one truth: it is the eternal part of you that is connected always.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- 11 ways to define and understand your soul
- The difference between your soul and your higher self
- Why your soul is eternal and connected to something greater
- How your soul evolves through your choices
- The soul’s role in healing and authentic expression
- Practical steps for connecting with your unique soul
If understanding your soul is something you are actively exploring, The Sunday Scroll is where I write each week about soul-centered spirituality for spiritually hungry souls. Sign up here.
11 Elements of What is the Soul?
The soul is your True Self. The soul carries a loose outline of what is possible for you along your soul’s path through many lifetimes. It is evolving, connected to Source, and its goal is to express itself truthfully and authentically.
However, it’s far more layered than that. After 25 years of research and study about the soul, this is why I have listed 11 elements of what is the soul to give you a clearer understanding of just how magnificent it is.
1. Your soul is eternal
First, inside each physical body is a soul. Every human body has one human soul.
This part of a human being is eternal, it never dies. Only the body dies and the soul lives way past the body’s life.
How do you apply this to your life? Take comfort in knowing that there’s a part of you that lives on and will be with those you love after the body dies.
Being soulful is embracing this eternal aspect of yourself… embracing the spiritual part of life, the part of you that is here on earth to express itself, learn, and grow.
The soul is eternal, it never dies.
My work with the soul is influenced by Thomas Moore, James Hillman, Carl Jung, John O’Donohue, and many other great poets, writers, philosophers, and teachers who’ve taught that we’re born with depth, meaning, and lots of potential.
2. Your soul is connected to something greater
Your soul is connected to a higher power; to God, Source, Spirit, Universe… and there are many other names for this greater Presence. What that power looks like will depend on your spiritual or religious beliefs.
As you’re living with your soul at the center, you’ll feel a deeper, stronger connection to the sacred otherness of life.
3. Your soul is evolving
Many people think that the soul is all-knowing, but it is not.
Your soul evolves based on the choices you make and how much your soul is learning and growing.
You apply this in your life by expressing the highest and best of yourself and embracing your unique abilities, even the parts of yourself you may not like so much.
You can think of your soul as the spiritual part of you… the part that is connected to the spiritual realm.
This part of you is in a physical body for a temporary time and will survive death.
A coaching client of mine hired me to help her be true to herself. She felt that she was hiding who she really was in her soul connections with men and as a result, the relationships ended within a year or so and badly.
After helping her be close to her soul, and focus on the soul lessons she was learning, she was able to see how she was diminishing herself and chose to evolve her soul instead of holding on out of fear.
4. Your soul is the essence of your True Self
Your soul holds the memories and experiences you’ve had through all past lives or at least this one, if that’s your belief, and is influenced by past experiences.
So, lean into this idea for just a moment… your soul continues to hold and remember all of your experiences until this point, so you will take those experiences and learn from them.
Your soul carries your true essence.
For a complete guide to Being True to Yourself including setting boundaries, speaking your truth, what is the soul, your soul as yourself, finding yourself, authentic living, soulful, the courage to be yourself, destiny, soul level, read: Being True to Yourself: A Complete Guide to Living from Your Soul.
5. Your soul works with the body and mind it’s been given
Your soul works with the body and mind it’s been given.
I love this because it helps us to accept what we perceive as limits within ourselves.
The body and mind you have is not random. The combination of body, mind, and soul is part of your destiny.
Each person’s life has a number of purposes, and the body and mind help you fulfill those purposes. For example, if I need to learn patience, my mind might be extra impatient so I will see how that doesn’t work for me!
Even your emotional nature is part of that soul/body makeup. Deeply felt emotion is part of a soulful life and connects mind, body, and soul.
The body and mind you have is not random.
6. Your soul is imperfect
Your soul struggles as you learn and grow. It is not perfect. As a human being you know this intuitively.
However, when you realize that your soul is not perfect and that it’s part of human nature to be imperfect, then it’s easier to give yourself grace.
While you’re giving yourself grace remind yourself: I take responsibility for BLANK, while giving myself grace. I have compassion for myself as I learn more about myself. I have the gift of choice and I am choosing better options for myself.
For a complete guide to Self-Love including how to connect with your soul, shadow work, affirmations, the self-love journey, self-compassion, self-forgiveness, embracing imperfections read: A Complete Guide to Self-love: Make Your Soul Smile.
7. Your soul is different than your higher self
Most people don’t realize this.
Your higher self is within your soul; however, it is not the same thing as the soul. The higher self does NOT need correction. It is never disconnected from universal intelligence. It is not influenced by our experiences, while your soul is.
The higher self is always connected to the divine and is in a constant state of balance and harmony, while the soul is not.
Here’s a higher self meditation to help you hear what your higher self is telling you.
The soul struggles, while the higher self does not.
8. Your soul is the blueprint of your potential
The Irish poet and philosopher, John O’Donohue says, “Your soul knows the geography of your destiny. Your soul alone has the map of your future, therefore you can trust this indirect, oblique side of yourself. If you do, it will take you where you need to go, but more important it will teach you a kindness of rhythm in your journey.”
Think of your soul as an outline, or a blueprint of what you’re capable of. However, it’s up to you whether you build it out.
Human beings are called to make choices all day long as to whether we will fulfill our potential. It’s not easy, but we have some time to figure out our lives.
It’s soul crushing when you ignore your soul and your life doesn’t align with what your soul needs.
Is your soul unique?
Yes! In a world of copycats, you’re completely original. And if that’s not exciting enough… your individuality serves a unique purpose. As you lean into your uniqueness and how you can use that to make the world a better place, now life is getting extremely exciting.
9. Your soul is designed to heal
We are given the tools and situations we need for healing. The “goal” of your soul is to heal and bring itself back into a state of balance and harmony.
The goal of your soul is to heal and bring itself back into a state of balance and harmony.
For a complete guide to soul healing including how to feel emotions, emotional release methods, soul lessons, soul contracts, ego death, shadow work, self-forgiveness, automatic writing, grounding your energy, soul alignment, read: Soul Healing: A Simple Guide To Joining Heart And Soul.
10. Your soul is communicating with you
Your soul is communicating with you all the time. The question is whether you are quiet enough to hear it.
Take time each day to settle the mind and listen. You do not need an agenda. Just sit, breathe, and notice what rises. The soul speaks in feelings, in nudges, in the words that suddenly seem to matter, in the quiet knowing you cannot quite explain.
Just quiet the mind without an agenda and see what comes to you.
Also, take some time to go soul searching and uncover more of what your soul is.
11. Your soul is authentic
Think of your soul as the part of you that you love, the part you hide, and the part that is rooting for you 100%.
Your true, authentic self is your soul.
Your very soul is the essence of who you are, your true self, and us human beings must recognize what we’re called to do in this life.
I imagine the soul looking over us, or within us thinking: Go on, you can do it. Believe in your talents and gifts and use them to make the world better.
If you aren’t keeping the channels open, if you aren’t listening to spirit, you won’t hear your soul.
If you’ve read this far, you are getting closer to your own soul just by paying attention. The next sections give you practical ways to recognize and connect with the unique soul that is yours.
How to Recognize Your Unique Soul
Your soul manifests through your…
Moments of true peace – When you feel completely aligned with yourself
Deepest values – What matters most when all external factors are removed
Authentic voice – What you say when you’re being completely truthful
Natural gifts – Abilities that feel effortless and deeply soul-filling
Persistent yearnings – Desires that never fade despite life’s changes
Connecting With Your Soul: Practical Steps
- Morning reflection: Ask “What does my soul need today?”
- Intuition practice: When facing decisions, quiet your mind and notice what your deeper self is telling you
- Soul journaling: Document moments when you feel most aligned with your authentic self
- Purpose exploration: Identify activities where you lose track of time
- Healing rituals: Create personal practices that help you process emotions and experiences
In my coaching practice, clients who commit to these practices for even a few minutes daily report significant shifts in their sense of purpose and inner peace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the soul?
Your soul is the deepest part of you—your true self. Your soul is unique, it came here with multiple purposes, and it’s here to fulfill that destiny.
What is the purpose of the soul?
The soul’s purpose is to fulfill a destiny. This involves inner healing and authentic expression to help heal the planet.
How can I connect with my soul?
You connect with your soul by turning inward and listening. It speaks through intuition, emotion, and the quiet nudges you feel when something deeply resonates. Stillness, journaling, and nature help you hear it more clearly.
What happens to the soul after death?
The soul is eternal. After each life, the soul goes to an intermediary place to process the lessons learned in the prior life and reconnect with soulmates and guides.
Is the soul the same as the spirit?
Though often used interchangeably, your soul is more personal—your energetic fingerprint. Spirit may refer to the universal life force, while your soul is uniquely yours, designed for your journey in this lifetime.
Does your soul think?
Yes, but not like the human brain. Souls use thought to communicate, understand, and feel energies, but it’s more intuitive and direct. The soul doesn’t analyze or reason—it exchanges complete ideas and insights with other souls. Their thinking is felt, knowing, and deeply conscious, without the noise or confusion of mental chatter.
Does everyone have a soul?
Yes. Every person has a soul. And not just any soul—a unique soul. We each carry a soul that is here to learn lessons and evolve, to help evolve the planet. No two souls are alike.
Can the soul evolve over time?
Absolutely. Your soul evolves through experience, healing, and self-discovery. With each challenge or breakthrough, it grows wisdom and clarity. Growth is part of the soul’s journey.
How do I know if I’m living in alignment with my soul?
You’ll feel peaceful. Life has more meaning. You make choices from the inside out. You feel pulled—not pushed—toward certain people, paths, and experiences.
What is your soul: final thoughts
Your soul is the most authentic dimension of who you are. Eternal, connected, evolving, and uniquely yours.
As you develop a deeper relationship with your soul, you discover greater purpose, peace, and authentic expression in your life. The journey to knowing your soul is lifelong, and each step brings more clarity.
Your soul is already speaking to you. Be true to your soul, this eternal part of you that is connected always, and let what it knows shape the life you are living.
For my complete guide to following the soul including what is the soul, scientific views, world views, soul awakening, soul guidance, soulful living, and much more, read: How To Know and Follow Your Soul.
