Why do people suffer? Ever since mankind was created, people have pondered why we suffer or have joy. Why do good people suffer, and why do bad people sometimes prosper? Religion tries to explain it. Some explain by saying it is God’s will, or only God knows. Sometimes we are told not to worry about what happens to us on earth; we are told that the good will be rewarded in heaven, while the evil will languish in hell.

Our religion believes that it is our own soul that brings upon joy or suffering to us. In the first verse in our most sacred book, is the following:

Looking all over the world and through all ages, I find no one

who understands the heart (soul).  Ofudesaki 1-1

Some people call the soul the heart or the spirit. Most people believe that there exists a soul in our bodies that is eternal. Science cannot confirm the existence of the soul, but many of us truly believe that it does exist. As Descartes once said, “I think therefore I am” to substantiate his existence. “My soul exist, therefore I am” would be an analogous phrase for those who believe in the soul. Some believe that the spirit or soul leaves our bodies at death and enters the afterlife permanently. Others believe that our souls (we) will continue for eternity, existing in both heaven and earth (figure 1).

figure 1

Why is understanding the soul important? The soul is an amalgam of positive energies derived from God at our creation. Each of us has the positive energies of God within us. These positive energies should only bring upon joy to us (see figure 2). But throughout our past lives (reincarnation), many of us have committed evil acts or sins against each other. These negative acts produce the negative energies that surround the pure soul (figure 3). Sufferings, inconveniences, and temptations are a result of the delayed manifestation of these negative energies (figure 4) that surround the soul. We reap what we have sowed. Understanding the soul explains how causality and karma function; but it is not as simple as this.There is more to the soul.

figure 2

figure 3

figure 4

When we understand the soul, we realize that our present and future obstacles are the result of our own past evil actions. We should not become angry at the messengers of our souls. Do not blame your spouse, coworker, strangers, or even God. It is easy to act with retribution when you feel that you have been wronged. It is also easy to blame others, even blaming God when suffering occurs. When we believe in the soul, we must look within ourselves first.

If we can calm our mind and not act upon the evil thoughts (see figure 5) in our minds when the soul delivers these inconveniences or temptations, we can gradually eliminate evil thoughts from our minds; and therefore eliminate the negative energies associated with our evil actions (figure 6). Eventually we can purify our minds and have only joy delivered by our pure positive soul (see figure 2 again). This is God’s promise of our salvation. Understanding the soul is the first step to our salvation.  The second step is believing in the soul and responding appropriately to what the soul manifest. Sometimes this is not an easy task; it requires much effort and restraint not to act on one’s evil thoughts.

figure 5

figure 6

God tells us that God will begin to work to have the world understand the soul. God tells us in our sacred book:

From now on, no matter how serious the illness may be,

there is no illness that is incurable depending on the mind.  5-13

However serious an illness will become,

I never say that it will not be cured. 12-52

God will save you from any illness if one begins to purify his or her mind. The first step is to believe in the soul to begin this process of purifying your mind.