Soul Loss - What Is Soul Loss and How To Recognize It (Part 2)

The word "soul" may mean different things to different people. For me, soul means our vital essence; the part of us that is wise, connected to Source energy, connected to the Tao of Life itself; our soul is that invisible, intangible spiritual self.

So, when I speak of soul loss, I do not mean that we have totally lost our vital essence (although it sure feels like it). It just means that we have lost the connection with the wholeness of who we really are. When one is suffering with soul loss, their entire life feels fragmented, broken into pieces with many parts missing, and yes, lost.

How do we lose our soul? The ancient shamans and bomohs (Bahasa Malaysia word for spiritual healers) would say that the soul was stolen, or spirited away or frightened away by humans or supernatural forces. However, in my practice, soul loss in my clients are due to traumas such as abuse, loss of loved ones, surgery (both minor and major), accidents, illnesses, abortion, miscarriages and even chronic, prolonged day-to-day stress. Soul loss could also happen by witnessing violence either in real life or through the internet or tv. All this makes soul loss a common phenomenon, and an unrecognized epidemic that is infecting the whole world today.

"Soul loss can be observed today as a psychological phenomenon in the everyday lives of the human beings around us. Loss of soul appears in the form of sudden onset of apathy and listlessness; the joy has gone out of life, initiative is crippled, one feels empty, everything seems pointless"
- Marie Von Franz, Jungian psychoanalyst

Perhaps soul loss is the reason why we have so much addictions now. Addictions are not necessary drugs or alcohol. It can come in the form of chocolates, books, endless need to shop and shop and eat and eat, and social media like facebook. Do we need to constantly check our social media status every 1 minute?

Here comes that important question. How does one recognize soul loss? Going through these questions can be helpful:

1. Do you have a difficult time being "here" in your body?
2. Do you get sick easily and frequently?
3. Do you suffer from chronic depression?
4. Do you frequently feel numb, empty or a sense of being dead? And that life is meaningless?
5. Is addictions (ex alcohol, food, drugs, sex, gambling, etc) an issue for you?
6. Do you have a difficult time handling the stress of day-to-day living?
7. Are you easily overwhelmed?
8. Do you chronically feel weak and tired?
9. Do you have difficulties moving on with your life after the death of a loved one; or a loss if a significant relationship in your life?
10. Are you always ill as a child?

If you answer yes to many of these questions, you may be dealing with loss of the soul. That spark inside you may not be accessible to you, and there is a disconnection with Source, that vital, pure essence of who you really are.

One must seek help when there is a soul loss. Seek out professional therapists and healers who know of such things and who are able to bring those missing parts back. These are the healers who can help you reconnect to your vital essence so that you will be whole again. And the Tao of Life flows smooth and clear.

(The photo above is taken by Eng AH from his hotel room during his recent trip to Japan this winter. I chose this photo because when one is suffering from soul loss, it sure feels like winter time.)