The distinction between "soul" and "spirit" is often misunderstood

The distinction between "soul" and "spirit" is often misunderstood.

Soul:

The soul is the essence of an individual being. It's a comprehensive representation of who a person is — encompassing one's thoughts, emotions, and personality. The soul is the immortal element that lives on after physical death, reflecting a person’s moral and emotional nature.

The soul is what gives life to the physical body and is the seat of individual consciousness and identity.

Spirit:

The term "spirit" can refer to a range of non-material aspects of existence, often associated with vital force or energy. "spirit" is sometimes used to describe the Holy Spirit or other divine presences.

Spirit is also often used to denote the qualities of pure essence and transcendence. It might be considered more universal and not confined to individual existence. The spirit is a connecting force between all living beings or between an individual and the divine, the divine is our higher self.

Comparison:

Personal vs. Universal: The soul is often viewed as personal and unique to each individual, containing one's personal memories and traits. In contrast, the spirit can be seen as a more universal aspect, common to all in its purest form and often regarded as a connecting force among beings or between humanity and the divine higher self.

Eternal vs. Temporal: The soul and the spirit are eternal, but the soul has a journey or evolution—it experiences, learns, and perhaps transmigrates or ascends. The spirit, on the other hand, might be considered already perfect, unchanging, and transcendent.

While both "soul" and "spirit" deal with non-physical aspects of existence and are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, they serve different conceptual roles. The Soul is created for this body vehicle we are in now, and merges with all the other souls of our ancestors on death and becomes part of our spirit or higher self.