A few of the main characteristics of a Pure Soul are:
- The Soul is full of infinite knowledge and vision. Hence, it can know and see everything. However, due to the deluding karmas sitting over the Soul, we are not able to grasp this infinite knowledge and vision until we attain Self-Realization. Param Pujya Dadashri says, the Pure Soul is in the form of light (of knowledge). On the basis of this light, the Soul is able to know the objects to be known. When all of its light is uncovered (i.e. if all the deluding karmas would be removed from over the Soul), we are able to know everything of the entire Universe i.e. we become Omniscient.
- It is full of infinite energy and strength.
- Further, it is the abode of infinite bliss i.e. permanent happiness. Those who have experienced the full state of the Self, feel constant happiness and joy radiating from within.
- It is detached (asanga).
- It cannot be tainted (nirlep; unsmaerable).
- It is invisible.
- It is formless (amurta).
- It is illuminating and indestructible.
- It is eternal i.e. permanent. The Soul is never born nor does it ever die. It is the physical body that dies and takes rebirth.
- It can expand and contract. For example, it expands in the elephant to the size of the elephant and contracts in an ant and becomes of the size of the ant’s body.
- It is due to Soul that one can feel. The Soul is present throughout the body. Wherever you feel any sensation e.g. the prick of a pin, it is because the Soul is present there.
- It is indivisible.
- It is immiscible. It never mixes with anything and loses its inherent properties. Its original properties always remain intact. For this reason, we are able to separate the Soul and the body and realize the Self.
Only when one understands the properties of the Soul, one can manifest and experience the Soul.
Self-realization
During the process of Self-Realization, we embark on our journey of understanding the properties of the Soul. As this understanding of various properties enhances, we are slowly able to separate the pure Self from the impure body complex; the impurities being in the form of anger, pride, deceit, and greed.
With this separation happening more and more frequently, we harness greater oneness with the real Self (the Pure Soul) and begin to experience its properties to some extent. For instance, you get an inkling of the property of infinite strength of the Soul when you are able to remain cool and untouched amidst adverse situations that are painful. You get the flavor of the detached, permanent and blissful state of the Soul when you observe how the worldly things that bring pain or pleasure in life, come and go away after some time, displaying their temporary nature.
Thus, after Self-Realization, as we remain more and more one with the Self, we slowly but surely begin to experience each characteristic of the Soul in a greater degree. After Self-Realization, with the real vision gained from Gnani, as we start seeing the living beings around us as Pure Souls, our interactions with them start becoming pure. And simultaneously, our awareness of, ‘I am a Pure Soul’ also increases.
From Savana East Dada Bogwan
