Total Thoughts (Feb 1, 2010): Tattva Bodha, What is the Soul (pages 36 - 39)

• Science states that energy is neither created nor destroyed and only changes shape (i.e. upon death of the body, the atoms of the body simply merge with atoms of the universe) - Vedanta states that Essence is unborn and undying and only assumes names and forms (i.e. upon death of the body, the 5 elements of the body simply merge with the 5 elements of the universe)
• During the waking and dream state our Spirit illumines objects, beings and situations whereas in sleep the Spirit illumines the absence of these - the illumined (i.e. the states of consciousness) and the source of illumination (i.e. Spirit) are always different
• What proof is there that we are not dreaming right now - why do we give the waking state more importance than the dream or sleep state
• We cannot control our thoughts but through our discussions we raise the tendency of our forthcoming thoughts being more meaningful - only a reflecting mind can seek out the answer to the most fundamental question of 'Who am I?
• The greatest gift one can give is Self Knowledge and the greatest gift one can receive is also Self Knowledge - are we aware of what is being offered to us through our discussions