Soul Energy Depletion - Could You Be Experiencing a Drain of Your Soul's Vitality?
Soul loss, a concept deeply rooted in both psychological and shamanistic traditions, describes a state where a part of a person's soul or essence becomes disconnected or withdrawn from the body, leading to various symptoms and requiring specific remedies.
### Explanation of Soul Loss
In psychology, particularly transpersonal and depth psychology, soul loss is viewed metaphorically as a deep disconnection from one's true self or essence. This spiritual disconnection can drive a person to intense soul searching, seeking meaning, authenticity, and a profound sense of life purpose. It differs from clinical depression as it is primarily a spiritual or existential crisis rather than a biochemical imbalance.
In shamanistic beliefs, soul loss is more literal; it involves the soul or a part of it departing from the body, sometimes involuntarily due to trauma, witchcraft, or supernatural interference. Some cultures believe in multiple souls, including a wandering soul that can leave the body during sleep or trance states. Soul loss is considered a major cause of illness, misfortune, or death.
### Symptoms of Soul Loss
Across both perspectives, symptoms typically include a pervasive sense of emptiness, depression, or spiritual desolation. Chronic dissatisfaction, loneliness, and anxiety are also common. Physical illness or weakness, especially in shamanistic views, may also be present. Feeling lost, powerless, or disconnected from life and one’s deeper self is also a common symptom. In shamanic contexts, symptoms may also manifest as vulnerability to malevolent spirits or harmful magic.
### Remedies for Soul Loss
In psychology, approaches like depth psychology, transpersonal psychology, and internal family systems therapy seek to help individuals reconnect with fragmented parts of the self. Practices often involve spiritual or existential work rather than just medication, including mindfulness, therapy that acknowledges spiritual crises, and lifestyle changes to regain wholeness.
In shamanism, healing involves a ritual known as soul retrieval, where a shaman journeys in trance to locate and bring back the lost soul part to the patient’s body. The shaman may enter a trance state of possession or wandering where the soul departs bodily limits to seek the lost soul or communicate with spirits. Ritual utterances, charms, and ingestion of magical substances may also be used to protect against soul loss or aid in its recovery. Once the soul is retrieved, it is reintegrated into the person, often resulting in restored health and vitality.
### Real-world Examples
Soul loss is not exclusive to extreme cases and can be found in various degrees in people, such as eating disorders, PTSD, addictions, low self-esteem, narcissism, etc. For instance, a child who is forced to pursue a career against their dreams can experience soul loss, as can a person who defies parental wishes but ends up with a damaged relationship. These situations can lead to feelings of chronic fatigue, depression, emptiness, and anxiety.
### Reintegrating the Soul's "Lost" Energy
There are many ways to reintegrate the soul's "lost" energy, including self-love, self-exploration, and self-transformation practices. Meditation, particularly "Dark Room Therapy," can help reunite the soul with its lost energy.
The concept of soul loss has been popularised by Don Mateo Sol, a shamanic practitioner, teacher, and soul guide, who wrote "21 Signs You're Experiencing 'Soul Loss.'" Don Mateo Sol is the author and co-founder of LonerWolf.com, a popular spiritual website. It's essential to remember that while soul loss can have profound effects on a person's life, it is usually a temporary experience and can be remedied through meditation and other spiritual practices.
However, it's crucial to approach these remedies with caution, as psychological detachment, or disassociation, can be a protective mechanism against trauma but can also damage consciousness and soul. Therefore, seeking professional help from a psychologist or a shaman, depending on one's beliefs and circumstances, is highly recommended.
- In the context of health-and-wellness and mental-health, practicing self-love, self-exploration, and self-transformation, such as meditation or "Dark Room Therapy," can aid in reintegrating the soul's "lost" energy, potentially alleviating symptoms like emptiness, depression, and anxiety that may indicate soul loss.
- As outlined by Don Mateo Sol, a shamanic practitioner and author of "21 Signs You're Experiencing 'Soul Loss'," the process of healing soul loss often involves remedies that transcend traditional medicine, incorporating spiritual practices and seeking the help of professionals like psychologists or shamans according to one's beliefs.
- Echoing transpersonal and depth psychology views, the concept of ego healing can be interconnected with soul healing, as intense soul searching, seeking meaning, authenticity, and a sense of life purpose can be seen as steps towards reconnecting with one's true self and mending the spiritual disconnection or soul loss.
