Spirit Vs. Soul

[on_holy_ground]

We are all born with a soul, an eternal force that resides within us all and gives each of us a measure of immortality. It existed before we were born, and it will continue to exist long after the body we now inhabit turns to dust. It is the essence of all that we are, all that we were, and all that we will ever be. The soul is what makes each of us who and what we are, and it holds all the things that make us unique in the eyes of the world.

We are all also born with a spirit, which is an aspect of our soul, and yet it is not the same thing. The spirit is not eternal, in that it is constantly changing as we grow and move on with out lives. It is the place where our emotions and desires reside, and where our personality tends to take shape. And unlike a soul, the spirit can at times be broken, and in some cases even completely shattered.

In many ways, it is like the difference between our heart and our mind. Our mind is the storehouse for all the information that we accumulate in our lives. It holds our memories, our ideas, and all that we have ever known or done. Our mind shows us the paths that we can take in our lives, and points out which ones would be the best roads. Our heart on the other hand holds our hopes and our dreams. It feels the impact of every love and every pain in our lives. And all too often it ignores that which the mind feels would be the best course to take, and leads us down it’s own chosen paths at breakneck speeds.

It is the soul that shows us the way, and the spirit that leads us to explore all of the various possibilities.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

This is very moving. I like it alot. (So does Snake.)

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :)

*locked*

[immortalmacleod.livejournal.com]

See... I knew you'd have the answer to this. *little smile* Although, it still begs the question -- do Immortals have souls, too? How do we know?

Re: *locked*

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

We know the same way that humans know. We simply believe, and we have faith that we go on after our lives here have run their course.

Re: *locked*

[immortalmacleod.livejournal.com]

*nods* I guess I have to have the faith my parents taught me, then. Or yours.

Re: *locked*

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Faith is more than just something that we are taught. It is something that we feel deep down inside ourselves.

Faith is what keeps us going on, day after day, year after year, century after century. If we did not have faith in something, then we would not have the strength to continue on as we do.

You have that faith, my friend, you just sometimes forget what it feels like.

Re: *locked*

[immortalmacleod.livejournal.com]

Maybe.

I've got faith in in other people, I think, just not really in myself sometimes. I do miss the times when my mother would talk to me about religion, and it was all so simple. Then, of course, things changed and what was once black and white became blurs. Shades of grey.

*little smile* I'm glad I've got you here to remind me, though. Yeah, I know I need to stop thinking about it too much, but I can't help it at times.

Anyway... thanks, Darius. You still are the best of us.

Re: *locked*

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

*smiles* Faith is faith, whether it is in yourself, or in those that you care about. My guess is that those same people that you have faith in, also have that same faith in you.

And you are welcome.

[ynez-castillo.livejournal.com]

I miss talking to you.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

I miss our talks as well. I have wondered how you have been doing these past few months.

[ynez-castillo.livejournal.com]

I've been getting by. Nothing too exciting. How are you?

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

*smiles softly* Much the same, actually.

[ynez-castillo.livejournal.com]

Would you like to come for dinner sometime?

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

I would be delighted.

[ynez-castillo.livejournal.com]

Name the day. When is good for you?

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Any weekday other than Wednesday is usually good for me, as long as there isn't a wedding scheduled. However, I don't believe I have any of those until early next month. At least, not that I'm aware of at the moment.

[ynez-castillo.livejournal.com]

Would you like to come for dinner this Thursday?

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

*smiles* I think that would be splendid.

[ynez-castillo.livejournal.com]

I'll look forward to seeing you then. Is there anything you don't eat?

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Just liver, which I never have been able to aquire a taste for.

[ynez-castillo.livejournal.com]

I'll see you Thursday for dinner then. I'm looking forward to this.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

*smiles* As am I.

[ynez-castillo.livejournal.com]

OOC: Here (http://ynez-castillo.livejournal.com/55571.html).

[allfor-one.livejournal.com]

*smiles wistfully* You speak of true words, monsieur. Sometimes I cannot help but think of Aramis when I listen to your beliefs. You and him often share the same vision, it seems.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

*smiles softly and gives a slight bow of his head* I am honored that I can be compared in any way to a friend such as him.

[allfor-one.livejournal.com]

As I am sure he would be touched by the same honor to know that you deem him as such. He frequently spoke of you and quite highly, might I add. A rarity considering his past experiences with the church. *chuckles faintly* I have been meaning to push myself to talk to you more, but ... *breathes in* sometimes I do not even know where to begin.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

Life, especially lives like ours, tend to make beginnings rather difficult at times. Sometimes in those situations, it is best to listen to our heart, and let it tell us the best places to start.

[allfor-one.livejournal.com]

It feels as if life is arduous the whole way through. *pauses for a moment and then nods slowly* You are right, however. I suppose it can be even more difficult to remember that your heart still continues to sing its song though you believed your chest was hollow for so many years.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

*nods* When the heart is hurt, sometimes the mind remembers the pain far longer than the heart itself does. Remembered pain can make a person leary of trying again, even when the heart might be ready to go on.

[allfor-one.livejournal.com]

*wryly smirks* It is moments like these I realize how lost I am without Aramis' guidance. I do not know how you two manage to steer the conversation in ways to where it turns into another lesson of the soul.

So. Beginnings. *chuckles and offers a sincere smile* I would not object into seeing an acquainted, familiar face sometime. It has been ages since I last saw you and I believe I am long overdue in paying a visit to the church.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

*soft chuckle* I believe that for me the answer is many years of experience.

I would be delighted to have you come and visit now that we have both taken up residence here in the New World. And perhaps you could even manage one day to drag Duncan over as well, as he seems to be quite busy in Boston these days.

[allfor-one.livejournal.com]

That can easily be arranged. Time away from this engrossing lifestyle is something, I feel, both of us could use. Especially him in particular. One of the many reasons why I moved in with him is to keep his attention focused. I am worried he is falling into a melancholy again ...

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

*nods* Sometimes time away from ones usual haunts can do a world of good for both the heart, and the mind. Any hint as to what is causing this possible melancholy?

[allfor-one.livejournal.com]

*smiles softly* Indeed. Not anything that I can notice, non. He has been persistent on keeping me in the dark by keeping himself distant.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

*smiles as well in return* I will look forward to seeing you then. And perhaps we can figure out what Duncan has on his mind together.

[john-h-holliday.livejournal.com]

Sir - Father? John Holliday, at your service. Perhaps we could speak of such things from time to time? I do think on them often, and other such subjects. I do have ideas and should enjoy a conversant to develop my soul and spirit.

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

I would be delighted to share ideas and opinions with you, Mr. Holliday, and my doors are always open.

[kronos-endtime.livejournal.com]

Sitting here with Korda's writer at work and we just peeked at your post... so this is a drive-by duo RESP! *lol*

*both clap* Nice one!

Korda sasy the last line is very true.

Kronos just looks like he always does. *chuckle*

[on-holy-ground.livejournal.com]

*lol* Well thank you both. We were just glad to have a prompt we could actually write about for a change. ;)