Hi to some new guys in my group, Ben, Dan, Josh and Oliver. Today was hard work for the class and for me. Talking about the soul isn’t that easy because it’s such an abstract topic. It doesn’t seem to have a direct bearing on our lives.

We did manage to cover a very interesting aspect of spirituality. One student expressed sympathy for reincarnation but not as an excuse to ignore those who are suffering, like the poor. This shows clarity of thought because if you are evil in your life then in the next you are punished by coming back in a position of suffering. Therefore, those who believe this may not show people who suffer much compassion because they deserve their suffering.

I asked how doing good would be defined and was surprised by the response that the Bible shows us what is good. Of course I have no problem with this but my surprise comes from the connection of two very different religions, Christianity and Hinduism. The Bible defines good from the goodness of God himself. It is very particular about who God is and isn’t and this explains my surprise with the connection of Hinduism and the Bible.

While spirituality might seem distant from practical life it is actually very central. Your soul is your very essence, your life and what you do affects your after life. We all agreed with this. So this issue is too important to ignore because your after life in many ways is more important than the here and now, particularly if you believe in an eternal afterlife.