Conversations with a Soul by Tom McArthur Page A

nouns, seeped in mystery, Soul and Spirit, often keep close company with each other. Both point to a mystical part of our being and each refuses to be captured in words or defined in ideas that would strip them of their cherished cloak of inscrutability.
    Despite their secretive nature they are, never the less, of fundamental importance when we engage the difficult task of understanding ourselves, and we reach out to engage something that lies beyond the muck and the mundane.
    Almost like identical twins, which share the same looks and speak the same language, they have no difficulty standing in for each other, which they frequently do. In common speech we are so accustomed to having one serve as a synonym for the other, we hardly notice when 'Soul' and 'Spirit' have exchanged places in the course of a conversation or a written paragraph. When this happens it’s easy for us to follow the speaker’s train of thought for the original content remains the same no matter which noun is used. Furthermore, we don’t have to explain to anyone that we mean the same thing whether we use Soul or Spirit or use them interchangeably; we all seem to understand this.
    Sometimes, however, instead of being merely synonyms, merely substitutions for each other, they exert their own personalities and work in a supportive role, the one helping to define and clarify the other.
    Then, taking their uniqueness a step further, there are times and circumstances when they abandon their supportive roles and cease to be synonymous because something demands that they part company, for each, by their very nature, must choose a different path to truth.
    Spirit is the great harmonizer and therefore, whenever possible, avoids conflict and disruptive disagreements. Spirit is well behaved and never interrupts our train of thought but patiently waits for us to recognize the Spirit’s presence. Spirit roots us in the traditions of prayer and quiet reflection. Spirit works to inspire and therefore is at home with silence and meditation. The language of hymns and poetry is the language of the Spirit. The Spirit’s gaze is firmly focused on the future, patiently waiting for a time that is yet to come. The Spirit loves all things of beauty, and aids us in recognizing what is beautiful.
    The Spirit works tirelessly to gift us with inspiration ( breathe-in- spirit ) and makes possible the creative arts particularly music, art, liturgy, architecture and literature. The Spirit reminds us that everything is rooted in mystery, and out of the mystery the Spirit calls forth recognition of the hand of God.
    Soul, on the other hand is a trouble maker!
    The Soul’s focus is not centered on a time yet to be but on the present. The Soul digs down deep into life and exposes the powerful forces that would rather remain hidden. The Soul is not afraid of conflict. The Soul cares little for good manners and without a moment of apology breaks into our reflections and interrupts our train of thought.
    For the Soul, images are the gateway to truth yet they require a non-literal context in which to come alive. Denied the liberating, transforming power of imagination images remain dead flotsam, mere data to be filed away, a procedure with which the Soul has little patience. This sets Soul against all prisons including those that operate within the confines of language; which, in turn, allows Soul to joyfully honor contradiction.
    Interpreted by the Soul our stories don’t fit simple (or complex) configurations, that rely on logical connections between cause and effect but, instead, come to stand before us clothed in mystery, yearning to be understood instead of being explained, yearning to be loved instead of being dismissed.
    The Soul interrupts, brings trouble, throws things into disarray and generally interferes with the smooth running of life.
    Daring to take the Soul seriously is tantamount to playing with a box of high explosives! At any moment from any quarter something could