Summary:
I think I have finally answered this mystery after
years of constant guidance from God, my Maker to make me think, analyse and
reason logically even when I am bathing, eating, travelling, and before
sleeping,
I have concluded and have accepted that:
1. The Soul is Life in
the body Itself, and life in the body is essentially the soul. In short, The
Soul of Life exists in all living things.
2. When the soul leaves
the body, life ceases along with all the material possessions we have
unnecessarily and temporarily gathered.
Conclusion:
Take good care NOT about our health. This is what
almost everybody thinks and advise others, but they are wrong
1. First, take good care
of our life, both physically and spiritually. That soul must not leave the
body. If it does, we instantly die.
2. Second, take good
care of our physical body where the soul lives that controls and drives our
body chemistry.
3. Third, only take care
of our health, which is much less important. Health depends on our body
chemistries that in turn depends on how our soul controls all of them.
4. Fourth, throw away
all our material wealth or give them away. This is the least important. We
leave them all behind when the soul leaves empty-handed for all eternity.
Read on only if you are interested and wise and careful, else just
delete. I would be wasting my time.
………………………………………..
What precisely is life? What I mean here is, what is
the thing, entity or some kind of unknown and undefined force or some kind of
energy that makes something come alive such as in a microorganism, a fish, a
reptile, a bird, a monkey, a plant or a flower, including us, humans?
There must be something inside all these living things that causes their
body to breathe, move, reproduce by themselves, feed, respond to stimulus. So,
what is it?
The question "What is life?" has fascinated
scientists, philosophers, and theologians for centuries. While defining life
precisely remains a complex and debated issue, we can describe it through
several core characteristics and mechanisms that living organisms exhibit. Let
us summarize what makes something alive:
Characteristics of life as defined by scientists are:
The organization and cells. All living things
are composed of one or more cells, which are considered the basic units of
life. These cells have complex structures and are organized in a specific
manner to perform life functions.
Living organisms exhibit metabolism, which includes
all chemical reactions that occur within their bodies. This involves converting
energy from the environment (food, sunlight, etc.) into usable forms to sustain
life processes.
Life maintains internal stability despite external
changes. This regulation of the internal environment to maintain a constant
state is crucial for survival. We call this “homeostasis”.
Organisms grow and develop according to specific
genetic instructions coded in their DNA. This is growth and development
Living things have the ability to reproduce, either
sexually or asexually, to pass on genetic information to the next generation.
We call this reproduction.
Response to stimuli is when life responds to
environmental stimuli, such as light, temperature, and touch. This can involve
complex behaviours or simple chemical responses.
Over time, living organisms evolve through natural
selection, leading to changes in traits that enhance survival and reproduction.
We call this evolution.
Their biological mechanisms are through these:
DNA and genetic information. The molecule
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) contains the genetic blueprint for life. DNA
sequences encode the instructions for building and maintaining an organism, and
for transmitting hereditary information.
Cellular machinery. Cells contain organelles like
mitochondria (energy production), ribosomes (protein synthesis), and the
nucleus (which houses DNA). These components work together to carry out the
necessary functions of life.
Energy utilization. Cells harness energy from the
environment through processes like photosynthesis (in plants) and cellular
respiration (in animals and many microorganisms). This energy is used to power
various cellular activities.
Biochemical reactions. Enzymes and other proteins
facilitate the complex biochemical reactions that sustain life. These reactions
occur within cells and involve the transformation of molecules into different
forms that the organism can use.
While our current scientific understanding has made
significant progress in understanding the mechanisms and processes that
characterize life, the exact essence of what "animates" living
organisms remains elusive. Life is generally considered an emergent property of
complex, organized, and dynamic systems that follow the laws of physics and
chemistry. The question we ask is, is there a “force" or
"energy" that brings life into being, or is it the result of
intricate and interdependent biochemical processes.
We can say life is a multifaceted phenomenon defined
by specific characteristics and processes that distinguish living organisms
from non-living matter. It encompasses a complex interplay of biological,
chemical, and physical principles, creating the dynamic and adaptive systems we
recognize as living beings.
Then why do all living things eventually die if nothing that makes life were alive in the first place, and neither matter or energy that created them can be destroyed? What then is life itself? Where did it come from, and where did it go? Surely not inside the soil, water or air because these things are not living.
We admit that living things are made of various types of
atoms and molecules that were initially not living. In the eyes of science these return to the air, soil and
water from where they originated when life ceases
The concept of death in living organisms is related to
the breakdown and cessation of the complex processes that sustain life, rather
than the destruction of matter or energy, which cannot be destroyed according
to the laws of physics. We can only explain what happens when a living organism
dies through these breakdown of biological systems
At the cellular level, death occurs when cells can no
longer perform their functions. This can be due to a lack of energy,
accumulation of damage, or failure of critical systems such as respiration and
circulation.
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal
environment. When an organism dies, its systems can no longer regulate internal
conditions, leading to the breakdown of essential processes such as temperature
regulation, pH balance, and electrolyte levels. On death there is loss of
homeostasis.
Then following that, there is cessation of metabolic
processes. Metabolism involves the chemical reactions that provide energy
and build cellular structures. When these processes stop, the organism can no
longer repair damage, grow, or respond to the environment, leading to death.
After death there is matter and energy transformation.
There is decomposition where the organic matter in an organism is broken down
by decomposers such as bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. This process
recycles the nutrients back into the ecosystem, supporting new life forms. Then
there is energy release. The energy stored in the chemical bonds of organic
molecules is released through decomposition. While the specific energy pathways
cease, the energy itself is not destroyed but rather transformed. For example,
it might be released as heat or used by decomposers.
Following decomposition, there may be molecular
reassembly. The molecules and atoms that made up the living organism are
eventually reabsorbed into the environment. These elements (carbon, hydrogen,
oxygen, nitrogen, etc.) become part of the soil, water, and air, where they can
be taken up by other organisms and contribute to new life forms. In other
words, in the eyes of conceptual perspective, there may be physical continuity
when the components that constituted the living organism (atoms, molecules) continue
to exist and are redistributed in the environment. The matter and energy do not
disappear; they simply change form and location. Life is characterized by
highly organized and regulated systems. Death results in the loss of this
organization. While the matter and energy persist, the specific arrangement and
the processes that constituted life do not.
From a purely biological standpoint, life is an
emergent property arising from the complex interactions of non-living molecules
organized in specific ways:
However, in my eyes as an evolutionary biologist, if I
can claim myself as one, there is emergence of life after death through
evolution. Life is seen because of biochemical processes. When a sufficient
level of complexity is reached, properties such as metabolism, reproduction,
and response to stimuli emerge. Does that imply a separate, distinct "life
force" or rather the inherent capabilities of molecular interactions and
organization? When an organism dies, the organized processes that constitute
life cease. This includes metabolic reactions, cellular repair mechanisms, and
homeostatic controls. The molecules and cells may still exist, but they no
longer function together in a way that characterizes life. There is energy
transformation after death. The energy that drives the biochemical processes in
a living organism is transformed upon death. While living, energy is utilized
to maintain order and perform biological functions. Upon death, this energy is
dissipated, often as heat, or used by decomposers.
According to entropy, the second law of
thermodynamics, systems naturally progress towards disorder. Life maintains
order through constant energy input. Upon death, this input stops, and the
system (the organism) returns to a state of increased entropy.
Current scientific understanding focuses on explaining
life through observable and measurable phenomena. While it can describe the
processes that constitute life and the changes that occur at death, it does not
address metaphysical or spiritual questions. The origin of life (abiogenesis)
is a major scientific inquiry, studying how life could arise from non-living
matter through natural processes.
But we still have not answered the question where did
life come from? Scientifically, life likely originated from non-living matter
through a series of chemical reactions that produced increasingly complex
molecules, eventually leading to self-replicating systems and cellular life.
This is studied under abiogenesis. Upon death, the organization and processes
that constituted life cease. Then where did it go? The matter and energy
continue to exist in different forms, but the specific emergent property we recognize
as life is lost. From a scientific perspective, life does not go to a specific
place; rather, it is the cessation of a particular state of organized
complexity.
Ultimately, while science can describe the processes
of life and death, questions about the ultimate nature or destiny of life touch
on deeper philosophical, spiritual, and existential beliefs that vary widely
across cultures and individuals.
Science think that when a living organism dies, the
specific biological processes that sustain life cease to function as I have
already explained. The matter and energy that made up the organism are not
destroyed but are transformed and recycled in the ecosystem. Death is thus the
end of the complex and organized state we recognize as life, but not the end of
the physical components that made up the organism. These components continue to
participate in the broader cycles of matter and energy in nature.
Biological systems often view life as an emergent
property of complex systems. This means that life arises from the interactions
and relationships between various components (molecules, cells, organs) within
an organism.
But I think there is far more than what science has to
offer. We need to look at this in another way. We need to look at vitalism from
the historical perspective. Historically, vitalism was the belief that living
organisms possess a "vital force" distinct from non-living matter.
Modern science has largely abandoned this view in favour of understanding life
through physical and chemical principles. Various philosophical and religious
perspectives offer different interpretations of what constitutes life, often
considering aspects beyond the physical, such as consciousness, soul, or
spirit.
Different cultures, philosophical, spiritual and
belief systems have various interpretations of what happens after death. Some
believe in concepts such as the soul, spirit, or consciousness continuing in
some form, while others see death as the end of individual existence.
This question delves into the profound and often
philosophical inquiry about the essence of life itself—what animates living
beings and what happens to this animating force upon death. Let’s have another
closer examination from several other philosophical and metaphysical
perspectives to explore the nature of life and what happens to it after death,
often incorporating beliefs about consciousness, the soul, or spirit:
First, historically, vitalism posits that living
organisms are endowed with a "vital force" that distinguishes them
from inanimate matter. Modern science has largely moved away from this view,
but it remains a part of some philosophical and spiritual traditions.
Second, various religious and philosophical traditions
propose that a non-physical essence, such as a soul or consciousness, animates
living beings. Upon death, this essence might be believed to transcend the
physical body and continue to exist in some form, whether in an afterlife,
reincarnation, or another dimension of existence.
Third, from an existential or materialist perspective,
life might be seen as purely a product of physical processes. Death, then, is
the end of these processes, with no continuation beyond the cessation of
biological functions.
Can we then say that life is the soul itself that
makes something living? It is believed by all civilizations for thousands of
years that all living things have a soul, and when we die, the soul returned to
where it came, perhaps to another world as often thought and accepted by most
people as the common wish "may his soul rest in peace" or his or the
soul may enter into some other molecules to start life inside another body.
Frankly this is a very strong possibility even though
there is no way to prove this using science. There must be many, many things
and entities existing in the universe and other worlds we have no inkling or
any clue. They only thing we can do is to observe their effects and begin to
think and ask questions.
The idea that life is animated by a soul or spirit is
a deeply rooted belief in many cultures and has been a part of human thought
for millennia. While this perspective is not directly supported by scientific
evidence, it remains an important and valid aspect of human experience and
understanding.
The concept of the soul in different cultures arises
from religious and spiritual beliefs where spiritual traditions hold that
living beings possess a soul, which is a non-physical essence distinct from the
body. This soul is often seen as eternal and transcendent, continuing to exist
after physical death. For instance, Christianity believes in the eternal soul,
which after death goes to heaven, hell, or purgatory based on one's faith and
actions. Islam teaches that the soul is judged after death and goes to paradise
or hell. Hinduism and Buddhism embrace the concept of reincarnation, where the
soul is reborn in a new body based on karma.
Separately, animism is found in many indigenous
cultures that believe that all things, living and non-living, have a spirit or
soul. Philosophers have long debated the nature of the soul and its connection
to life. Plato and Aristotle, for example, had distinct views on the soul’s
role and its immortality.
I think there are limitations of science in addressing
the soul because empirical science relies on observation, measurement, and
evidence. The concept of the soul, being non-physical and metaphysical, is
beyond the scope of empirical science. It cannot be measured, observed, or
tested using scientific methods.
While science explores consciousness and the workings
of the brain, it has yet to fully explain the nature of subjective experience
or whether it connects to a non-physical soul. The "hard problem" of
consciousness remains a major philosophical and scientific challenge.
As a scientist, I strongly believe the
possibility of non-physical realities beyond our current understanding and
detection capabilities. Science is always evolving, and what we consider
metaphysical today might be better understood in the future. We often infer the
existence of phenomena by observing their effects. While we cannot directly
study the soul, people’s experiences, beliefs, and reported phenomena (such as
near-death experiences) contribute to the ongoing discourse.
The belief in a soul provides many people with a sense
of meaning, purpose, and comfort, particularly regarding the afterlife and the
continuity of existence beyond death. These beliefs are embedded in the
wisdom and traditions of cultures worldwide, influencing art, literature,
ethics, and social practices.
From my scientific standpoint, we must acknowledge the
limits of our current understanding and methodologies. Science does not
currently provide evidence for or against the existence of the soul, as it
deals with the physical and measurable aspects of reality.
However, from a broader perspective it is important to
respect and consider the beliefs and experiences that shape human understanding
of life and death. These beliefs have profound impacts on individuals and
societies.
While maintaining scientific rigor, it's valuable to
remain open-minded about the mysteries of existence. The history of science
shows that many phenomena once deemed mysterious or supernatural have been
gradually understood through persistent inquiry and technological advancements.
I think we need to have an open-minded inquiry. Science provides a powerful
framework for understanding the physical world, it doesn’t negate the validity
of metaphysical and spiritual beliefs. The question of the soul is deeply
personal and subjective, intertwined with cultural, religious, and
philosophical contexts. It represents a significant part of the human quest for
meaning and understanding in the vast, complex universe we inhabit.
My belief and perspective that the soul controls the
essential chemistries of life and its departure results in the cessation of
these processes is a viewpoint shared by many cultures and traditions. This
belief provides a meaningful explanation for the mystery of life and death,
especially when scientific explanations feel incomplete or unsatisfactory on an
existential level. I think we need to integrate science with the concept of the
Soul
While science and spirituality often address different
aspects of human experience, integrating them can offer a more holistic
understanding of life. There are a few ways this integration can be approached.
First, we need to recognize that science and
spirituality offer complementary perspectives rather than conflicting ones.
Science explains the mechanisms of life, while spirituality provides a
framework for understanding the purpose and meaning behind those mechanisms.
Second, some theories in consciousness studies suggest
that consciousness might be a fundamental aspect of the universe, akin to space
and time. If consciousness is indeed fundamental, the soul could be seen as a
manifestation of this universal consciousness interacting with physical matter.
Third, we should accept that some aspects of existence
might remain mysterious and beyond our current understanding. Embracing the
mystery can be a source of wonder and humility, acknowledging the limits of
human knowledge.
Fourth, we need to understand life and death through
the lens of the soul. Life as a soul-driven process in my view can be seen as a
process driven by the soul, which orchestrates the complex biochemical
reactions that sustain living organisms. The presence of the soul imbues the
body with life, guiding its development, growth, and maintenance.
Firth, when the soul departs in death, the organizing
principle that maintained the biochemical processes is lost. This departure
leads to the breakdown of cellular functions, resulting in the cessation of
life and the eventual decomposition of the body.
Sixth, many spiritual traditions hold that the soul
continues to exist after death, possibly entering a new body or another realm
of existence. This belief provides comfort and a sense of continuity beyond
physical life.
I believe in the afterlife and reincarnation. It also
has personal and cultural significance to many societies, belief systems and
creeds. It has a meaning and a purpose. Believing in the soul provides a sense
of purpose and meaning, connecting individuals to a larger, often divine,
reality. It offers an explanation for the unique qualities of life and the
continuity of consciousness. The belief in the soul influences ethical and
moral considerations, guiding behaviour in ways that respect the sanctity of life
and the interconnectedness of all beings.
Cultural wisdom worldwide has developed rich
traditions and wisdom around the concept of the soul. These traditions offer
valuable insights into the human experience and provide a framework for
understanding life’s profound questions.
While scientific explanations focus on the physical
and biochemical aspects of life, the concept of the soul offers a powerful and
meaningful explanation for the essence of life and death. This perspective has
been a cornerstone of human thought for millennia, providing comfort, purpose,
and a sense of continuity beyond the physical realm.
Respecting and integrating diverse perspectives can
enrich our understanding of the world and our place within it. Whether one
leans more towards scientific explanations, spiritual beliefs, or a combination
of both, the quest to understand life and death remains one of the most
profound and unifying aspects of the human experience.
On this note let me remind ourselves that there are
many documented accounts and stories told by a lot of people who have died and
came back again to tell what they saw of their own souls in another world.
Their testimonies were from all races, cultures and from all over the world
with different belief systems initially. But all of them on returning from
death told the same experience and same story matching each other.
To conclude, I believe it is the soul that controls
all the essential chemistries of life in the body, and when the soul leaves the
body, all life chemistries stop, and the body dies. This is the best
explanation I firmly offer why a soul is needed to control all living things
which is life itself.
They are not separate entities other believe.
I hope my explanation helps others to understand that the soul exists in all humans as well as in all animals
This was a question asked of me by Dr Jasmim Keys, a
research scientist and a senior physician who is a friend of mine, and also by my
brother-in-law, Engineer Ong Geok Soo who recently asked me separately if a soul exist in those without religion or do not believe in the exitence of God. I think he was afraid? Both asked me these two questions in our WhatsApp group chat.
Thank you for reading
- Lim ju boo
(A 3,668 worded essay)
For further reading:
1.
The Mystery of Life: An Unmeasurable Vital Force
https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/search?q=lamp+of+life
2.
The Origin and Purpose of the Soul
https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/search?q=mystery+of+life
3.
The Soul as An Artist in the Next World
https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-soul-as-artist-in-next-world.html
4.
"The Spiritual World in The Eyes of Science” on
May 17, 2024
https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-spiritual-world-in-eyes-of-science.html
5.
Mysteries on the Origin of Life on Earth
https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/search?q=mysteries+on+the+origin+of+life
6.
Jesus First Miracle: A Hind Thought in My Eyes.
https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/search?q=jesus+first++miracle
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