How the Soul Fills the Body: Secrets of the Spiritual Structure of the World According to Tanya’s Teaching
Understanding the spiritual structure of the world is essential for grasping the deeper reality behind our existence. When we look at the world around us, we see many different objects. Some are alive, others are not. But what actually gives life to everything that exists? The ancient Jewish wisdom from the book of “Tanya” offers a surprisingly deep answer to this question.
The Spiritual Structure of Soul and Body Connection
Our soul is present throughout the entire body at once — from head to toe. But its main place of manifestation is the brain. It is from there that the soul spreads its energy throughout the body.
Think of it this way: eyes don’t see by themselves, but through the power of the soul that gives them this ability. The same applies to ears that allow us to hear, the mouth through which we speak, and the legs that help us move.
It’s important to understand that the soul is a single entity. It doesn’t divide into pieces throughout the body. No matter how we try to imagine the soul, it has no physical form or boundaries. It is completely spiritual.
Spiritual Structure: How the Soul Controls the Body
The brain is the first to receive power from the soul. All 613 types of energy pass through it and then distribute throughout the organism. Each organ receives exactly the energy it needs:
- Eyes receive the power to see
- Ears — to hear
- Mouth — to speak
- Legs — to walk
Even the heart, this vital organ, receives its energy from the brain. That’s why the brain naturally controls the heart.
Divine Presence in the Spiritual Structure of the World
Tanya’s teaching uses this model of soul and body to explain how God is present in the world.
Just as the soul fills the entire body but mainly manifests in the brain, so too does the Infinite Light (Ein Sof) fill all worlds, but manifests differently in them.
In higher worlds, the Divine presence is more evident. In lower worlds, especially in our physical world, this presence is hidden under many “garments” — veils that conceal the spiritual light.
Hidden Light in the Material Spiritual Structure
Look at a stone. It seems lifeless. But according to Tanya, it contains divine light that constantly creates it from nothing. Without this light, the stone would simply cease to exist.
The physical world receives its life force through many “filters” and “garments” that hide the true source of life. This life force is so hidden that we only see physical, seemingly lifeless objects.
What is the Shechinah?
When they say that the Shechinah (Divine presence) dwelled in the Holy of Holies of the Jerusalem Temple, it means a special manifestation of Divine light. Although God is present everywhere, the degree of revelation of this presence varies.
This resembles the difference between the brain and a finger: the soul is present in both, but it manifests more strongly in the brain.
How to Connect with the Spiritual Structure Through Good Deeds
According to Tanya’s teaching, good deeds are the “oil” for the “lamp” of Divine presence. Our soul itself cannot serve as fuel for this light, as it remains a separate entity.
Only good deeds and commandments (mitzvot), which express God’s will and wisdom, can serve as a connecting link between us and the Divine light.
Practical Lessons for Life
Understanding how the soul controls the body gives us several important life lessons about the spiritual structure of existence:
- Unity in diversity — although body organs are different, they all receive life from one source
- The importance of the mind — as the brain controls the body, so our intellect should control our emotions
- The value of good deeds — they connect us with the Divine presence
The world around us may seem divided and fragmented, but Tanya’s teaching shows that at the foundation of everything lies a single source, giving life to everything that exists.
This article is based on Chapter 51 of the book “Likutei Amarim — Tanya” by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, one of the greatest Hasidic thinkers.
Afterword: The text of this article has not been approved by any sage, Torah scholar, or rabbi and is merely a simplified adaptation of the sacred text for general understanding. For comprehension of true wisdom and a deeper understanding of the original text, you should refer to the sources.
This and all other article texts of the Mega-Charity.Org resource express only the personal opinions of the authors who compiled them. They are intended only for general and superficial understanding of the real sources of wisdom. References to which are provided.
