Spirit or Soul? what is what... pls help

Since I moved to an English speaking country I have noticed people throwing around the word soul and spirit. In my language we only use one term and I believe it is more like the term Soul. I have a feeling that people strongly distinguish the two and have a clear idea of what both terms mean. But I am still having really hard time understanding the difference. Can anyone please explain it to me in simple terms or by using examples so I can relate properly to the people I am having a conversation with. I feel like I am totally missing something..I also believe this terms are not necessarily religion bound..

thank you

a reply to: MimiSia
Frankly, the problem is that both terms have had a changing history in the culture founded on the Bible, which is where this usage is coming from. That's part of the reason why there is confusion.
There is the Hebrew NEPHESH, which really means "life", and is probably the word behind "soul" when that word is found in the Old Testament.
Then there is RUAH -either the wind, or the Spirit of God.

In the New Testament, we find the Greek word PSYCHE, which gets translated as "soul". In Greek psychology, the PSYCHE equates to what controls the body in human terms. When you move your leg, your PSYCHE is moving it (which was used as a proof that the PSYCHE fills every part of the body). Your mind is also part of your PSYCHE.
Then there is PNEUMA, which again means both the wind and the Spirit which comes from God.

In the post-Biblical development, there is the concept of the "immortal soul" as something distinct and detachable (not really part of the New Testament understanding).
People may well be thinking of that.
Also some people look into the New Testament and detect references to a "human spirit" distinct from the Spirit which comes from God, and conclude that humans have both a soul and a spirit, both distinct from the body.

So the only answer that can be given is "the distinction depends on who you are talking to".

I distinguish the two as such: the Spirit is the animating force within the body while the soul is the individual mind that the Spirit gives rise to.

It depends on who you ask really but that's my personal opinion.

Greetings, I'll give my belief/understanding of soul/spirit;

Soul is exactly the raw energy that exists before the big bang, before universe, it's what allowed everything to be created. Soul is the collection of all awareness, feeling, thought, experience memory, knowledge, truth.

Spirit is the essence of soul. The consciousness thst lives within inanimate matter, to give it life, and awareness. It's what allows ; galaxies, stars, planets, plants, animals humans .. to think and feel or Be.

Spirit is "self". That single identity thst experiences, feels, thinks, observes externally.

Spirit is the singular division of Soul, the awareness, identity, individually experiencing realities.

Soul to me is what people think as god. The energy that all came from. Spirit is the individual consciousness living through matter.

ETA - if thst was confusing to people I'll make it simpler.

Soul = God/origin/omnipresence

Spirit = self/individual identity/consciousness

Interesting Insightful beautiful explanations ..
I love them so much

another question
I have noticed in English the term ghost is often replaced by spirit..
what is the take on that I know u already explaid is it because it is a traped energy that is not part of the soul. sorry.. I apreciate re-explaining

I find it so interesting I am actually confused about my language itself now. and actually there are two different terms now I come to think of it..
one means energy of the self (maybe who knows:p) but I translate it as soul
so from bible what is the trinity
we say in the name of the father son and the holy spirit(or soul?) who or what is the holy spirit(or soul?)?

originally posted by: MimiSia
we say in the name of the father son and the holy spirit(or soul?) who or what is the holy spirit(or soul?)?

The Holy Spirit is the PNEUMA, the power of God.
"No one comprehends the thoughts of God except the PNEUMA of God" 1 Corinthians ch2 v11
Paul distinguishes between people who are PSYCHIKOS (governed by purely human thoughts) and PNEUMATIKOS (governed by the thoughts of God).

a reply to: DISRAELI

thank you so much
I read the bible (only in english)
new testament -some chapters even twice never noticed any differentiation thank you for what you have written
will re-read the chapters
also any other recommended chapters ?

a reply to: MimiSia
The distinction between PSYCHIKOS and PNEUMATIKOS comes up again in 1 Corinthians ch15, as part of the difference between our current life and life after the resurrection.
The first one is frequently translated as "carnal" or "natural".

A good guide on the Holy Spirit is John chs 14-16, which bring him in as a counsellor and teacher.

a reply to: Elementalist

I always struggled with the drawing of big bang
they draw this "cone" to represent universe
and I always wonder what in the world is the piece of paper outside the cone
so what u said makes sense to me

a reply to: 3NL1GHT3N3D1

this explanation is most similar to the explanation Aussies give me

a reply to: MimiSia

Have you checked a dictionary? I haven't, by the way, for this post. But, there are terms like "team spirit", or phrases like "In the spirit of fairness". Or, "You could really feel the spirit of unity come through at the "Free the World" concert." "I felt my spirit soar."

Then there's things like "Soul food", "Soul Music" and "Chicken Soup for the Soul". "He really poured his heart and soul into that job." "He sold his soul to get elected."

"In the spirit of compassion I reached into the depths of my soul and gave all the money I had in my pocket."

a reply to: windword

ok yes I did

I never quite catched this one either
spirit=alcohol

I will edit this in few minutes

ok here it is

spirit
[spir-it]
noun
1.
the principle of conscious life; the vital principle in humans, animating the body or mediating between body and soul.

2.
the incorporeal part of humans:
present in spirit though absent in body.

I also never quit chatched this one
despite the fact spirited away is my favorite anime as a verb it is to abduct or kidnap

a reply to: MimiSia
The reason for calling some kinds of alcohol "spirits" is that they are produced by the distilling process. I believe this involves causing and collecting a vapour from the original liquid.

a reply to: DISRAELI

so can that be applied to people?
spirit is what will be collected when it evaporates from us?
I will look at the definitions you gave me in great detail

a reply to: MimiSia
I think a lot of the metaphorical uses of "spirit" are just taking "spirit" as the opposite of "matter", and people do use the word very loosely.
"I will be with you in spirit" doesn't really mean (in common use) much more than "I will be thinking about you".

a reply to: MimiSia

BE WARNED AND UNDERSTAND TRULY THAT TWO FISHES ARE SWIMMING IN OUR SEA.

[The Sea is the Body, the two Fishes are Soul and Spirit.]

The Sages will tell you
That two fishes are in our sea
Without any flesh or bones.
Let them be cooked in their own water;
Then they also will become a vast sea,
The vastness of which no man can describe.
Moreover, the Sages say
That the two fishes are only one, not two;
They are two, and nevertheless they are one,
Body, Spirit, and Soul.
Now, I tell you most truly,
Cook these three together,
That there may be a very large sea.
Cook the sulphur well with the sulphur,
And hold your tongue about it:
Conceal your knowledge to your own advantage,
And you shall be free from poverty.
Only let your discovery remain a close secret.

The Book of Lambspring
uwch-4.humanities.washington.edu...

spirit is the divine spark
the soul is where the personality resides

a reply to: DISRAELI

I found this finally I received this from a someone who apparently studied Hebrew
Neshika: kiss
נשיקה

Neshama: soul
נשמה

I want to first read the sections before I respond
but so far ..very interesting ..all of this so I can say that even English speaking people do not translate these terms equally

a reply to: AdamuBureido

very beautiful
question before I read more into it
so when your body goes what remains

this is just logical conclusion from your last sentences
what remains eternal is the spirit?

originally posted by: MimiSia
a reply to: AdamuBureido

very beautiful
question before I read more into it
so when your body goes what remains

this is just logical conclusion from your last sentences
what remains eternal is the spirit?

the spirit is the eternal divine spark
the soul is sort of an accretionary interface between it and the body.

but that's keeping it simple as i have to go out at the mo'

a reply to: DISRAELI

I am still confused I am so sorry for being slow
I will understand it better by ur view of Elementalist definitions
to me it sounds like that you have actually opposite views?
is there such a thing ad labeling one as higher or more important or powerful?
It is very hard for my brain to comprehend it. it kind of feels like describing new color to a blind person is kind of awful:/ I have to create a whole new "color" for my brain

in my language I think(I am saying I only think I am correct about this) it is very simple we humans have a soul and when we die our soul becomes part of gods soul