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Uninitiated People
I continue to accent the difference between soul and spirit, another ancient idea but one that I learned most clearly from James Hillman. Spirit directs your attention to the cosmos, and the planet, to huge ideas and vast adventures, to prayer and meditation and other spiritual practices, to a worldview and philosophy of life. Spirit expands your heart and mind, gives you vision and courage, and eventually leaves you with a strong sense of meaning and purpose.
Soul is more intimate, deep and concrete. You care for your soul by keeping up your house, learning how to cook, playing sports or games, being around children, getting to know and love the region where you live. Soul allows you to become attached to the world, which is a kind of love. When the soul stirs you feel things, both love and anger, and you have strong desires and even fears. You live life fully instead of skirting it with intellectualism or excessive moralistic worries.
— Thomas Moore
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The alchemical sword, says Jung quoting alchemical writers,’ is that which kills and vivifies’. We know this secret in the simple idea that life is creative and productive only if it is also destructive in some way, and that new life requires the end of old ways. In our innocence we often enjoy victimhood and look for someone outside our ranks as the aggressor.
