The real meaning of soul | Lesley Hazleton

“What do we really talk about when we talk about soul?” asks writer Lesley Hazleton. “We use the word so much it seems we'd have a handle on it.” Yet, as she details in this spirited, funny, thought-provoking talk, it seems many of us could use a refresher course in understanding the true meaning of the word.
TEDArchive presents previously unpublished talks from TED conferences.
Enjoy this unedited talk by Lesley Hazleton.
Filmed at TEDSummit in 2016.

[@mahmoudahmedshalabi]

I love Lesley Hazleton so much! She's so full of light and energy, and there's a wisdom to her that's so well articulated. She sets my soul of fire with sparks of intrigue and lights my imagination. I've read two of her books - both with a focus on Islamic history - and she transcends identity, perspective and so many stereotypes we've all imbibed. An afternoon of good food, tea and spirited-company in the garden with this glowing woman would be my top pick!

[@seemamajid855]

She has so much noor on her face. What an amazingly beautiful lady with an equally lovely voice.

[@debbiecondelario8460]

When I was in deep grief over loosing my family in tragic accident, My SOUL intervened with the Holy Spirit when I didn’t have the strength myself to know what to pray to the father for or how , I woke myself speaking loudly in a language I have net heard before a beautiful sound I somehow seemed to know once upon a time somewhere sometime SOUL is to me my connection to everything I ever knew and everything I have to learn and above all unconditional LOVE !

[@debbiecondelario8460]

And forgiveness

[@Helllllerrrrrrrrrrr]

she's brilliant. I love her

[@jeffreycohen7139]

This was a beautiful talk. The concepts of vitality and open soul I will ponder in the days ahead. Thanks.

[@socialdevelpmentuniversity299]

Nafas and rooh; breath, spirit, and vitality: all are expressions of soul.

[@fisherqueen8260]

To those critics Following another in such a dogmatic way (and his teaching cause and continues to cause harm) take you away from following your own autonomous life... your soul will guide you if you attune to it uncontaminated by doctrine. Can you do better??? Without hiding behind another’s mans attempt to control the masses. Great work and thank you a fellow psychologist

[@naimulhaq9626]

Soul: As the vital life force that makes us alive or consciousness , like emotions, sentiments, ego etc., are quantum mechanical phenomenon. Descartes was surprisingly correct to assume the pineal gland as the seat of the soul. Our five senses, our brain (pineal gland included) and all our cells are equipped with quantum computing capabilities, enabling protein production, cell repair (50-70 billion daily, with 99.99 % efficiency and at lightning speed) are what keeps us alive, survive and evolve. An adequate description of consciousness is more difficult, but nevertheless partially explained by Penrose, Hameroff, Dr. John Hagelin etc. Lesley is a prolific speaker, well informed.

[@s.f.nightingale1735]

I have always considered Soul to be an essence of being. You are your past, your present, all of it, is your soul, it is your fundamentals in character and expression. I believe she has done an excellent job. And when a life is lost, it is often then that others look closely enough to see it, so perhaps the life lost and the soul found is a justification for neglecting those living. Or perhaps, it is also the profound effect that greif and loss can have on our own beings.

[@jamal7586]

Am afraid she said nothing about the soul, just a string of adjectives pleasing to the ears! This proves our overwhelming understanding that no human being has shed light on the soul except the mere existence of it. Period.

[@falilaadamu7009]

J A M A L , as I listened to her from the beginning I said to myself 'if only she will look at the Islamic concept of the soul' and Alas! she did... although not exactly Islamic she mentioned Arabic and Hebrew, if you really want to understand the 'soul' with open mind and objective reflection I recommend looking at the Islamic concept and you will be amazed if not satisfied.

[@jamal7586]

You were listening to something different then, and not this video. Because she never said anything tangible but just a string of adjectives. And they ask you, [O Muhammad], about the soul. Say, "The soul is of the affair of my Lord. And mankind have not been given of knowledge except a little." 17:85

[@drmodestoesq]

Damn straight. Every time I've suffered through a few minutes of this learned individual I feel that she's been put on Earth to deliver the eternal message of vagueness.

[@rumaabba8875]

arab people stole and copy hebrew's holly book, and made false dirrections to soul meaning

[@shamaelhaider8094]

J A M A L lol i thought i was the only one and the thing is she treats every topic similarly - we can say its pleasing but as she points its something we can load with our own agendas which is why it sounds pleasing and seem to make sense 😂

[@riick7w7]

1:00 I think therefore I am 1:19 weight the soul 21 grams or 3/4 of a ounce 1:56 SOS save or souls 4:50 The soul of music 6:59. Soulless, view your soul has a possession, something you can buy or sell 8:12 The breath of life Breath Soul Spirit

[@SaltBhj]

Informed, educated, and poetic. Thank you madam.

[@nykhalil21]

Soul = quality of being... Great description Lesley.

[@mohammedfasi2227]

Quality of being appears by ones manners

[@rishabkureshi5826]

Oh my god...bless her sooo much..♥️✨.. The world really doesn't know what they are missing..

[@imqsqs]

This lady!

[@francismausley7239]

A spiritual reality. "…. in man there is a reality which is not the physical body…This other and inner reality is called the heavenly body, the ethereal form which corresponds to this body. This is the conscious reality which discovers the inner meaning of things.The inner ethereal reality grasps the mysteries of existence, discovers scientific truths and indicates their technical application. It is the inner reality which comprehends things, throws light upon the mysteries of life and being, discovers the heavenly Kingdom, unseals the mysteries of God and differentiates man from the brute." ~ Baha'i Faith

[@simhachal5558]

Tq soo much for that wonderful piece of information.

[@samarthamar1978]

identity of the soul it in the understanding purpose of the life

[@Mohammed_Beiruti]

Soul is the secret of life.Spirit is the secret of knowledege.

[@Selah_Negus]

So - thats how you speak with soul.

[@JuniorKnowledge]

the slightest injury to soul is death.

[@dumdumbox]

A soul can be injured?

[@altafhirani1]

I believe, the word in Arabic was 'Nafs', most Quranic translations call it 'soul' or 'ego' and its use incorporated positivity and negativity both.

[@alyelghatit6122]

altaf hirani " ALROUH " is the Arabic equivalent as expressed in the Holy Quran

[@saamerlailnajd5561]

In Arabic we have ...Nafs is the total activity of human being while he is alive...where nafas is the instant breathing as far you are alive...but soul is unknown Devine related to the spirit attached to secret of Almighty God/Allah ( do say the soul is a decree of Allah). Thanks

[@joshuadaniel8456]

I was waiting for her to sing poor unfortunate souls

[@mahakala]

shivoham shivoham

[@maheralhawach751]

Soul is something like its name is Soul from the Creator.

[@ashwaq5868]

ما فهمت شي :)

[@maheralhawach751]

تتكلم عن الروح ! وتحاول شرح ماهي ؟؟؟ الروح شي عجز العلم عنه حتى اليوم ؟ وهناك راي آخر يلخص كل شي . تقبل مروري شكرًا

[@williv.470]

My opinion is simple, it's meaning is corrupted with deceitful intent. What is the name, people use to call why are the people made of flesh because the spirit's decision to either manipulate if human consciouses exist too in separate from spirit's, if spirit's: "the subconscious" only coexisting because what else is there? I'm just hearing and seen the definition and concluded people don't have an truthful explanation of what the human soul is if it's understandable to those who felt to corrupt it's meaning by fooling it's meaning's, (suppose they know better, is it lied over to have debates over just to get they all rallied up on they're supposedly good purposes based on educator's written "official doctrines or is it bigger because trusting in belief? What would other's believe on what is this meaning and why is it closer to being an spirit than anything else, does society have an brainwashing teach about what is an soul if an soul's definition is described to be phenomenally unseen instead of just exist and it's purpose could've just been because they hate the truth or want's to manipulate perception of understanding as if the human body doesn't keep it's self alive or has no nerves of it's own to live. Societal make belief's and what if you don't believe, can anyone explain and invent rain because I don't believe scientists can invent rain water no matter what show.

[@rahils1325]

SOUL IS THE ESSENCE OF THE BODY. THE BODY IS NOTHING WITHOUT SOUL.THE SOUL IS ETERNAL. THE CREATOR WILL GUIDE THE SOUL IN THE LIFE HEREAFTER INTO HEAVEN OR THE HELL. ACCORDING TO HIS/HER DEEDS.

[@muhammadnur2813]

Everyone want to know the origin of soul, but they forget what is oxygen? Why its called oxygen?, and why insane people act like animal, can they be called human? Cause what I know human can think what's right and wrong, they can make a million choice, if we want to know about soul, we should first Learn how and why our body can seperate oxygen from water(h2o) why only on earth can human live, the gravitational pull, etc, the key to learn about soul is in there, we look up at the wrong door, we skip all chapter, the answer is around you, how did I know? Its in quran,

[@mohammedfasi2227]

Go to right door and please upadate post

[@khalidpatel7246]

ᴍy ʙʀᴀɪɴ ᴄᴀɴɴᴏᴛ ᴄᴏɴᴄᴇɪᴠᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ʜɪɢʜ ᴄᴏɴᴄᴇᴩᴛ

[@ibrahimshebl5440]

since you said Arabic...... no human will reach the meaning of soul, as it will remain "a beyond"--damn youtube you have no italic font !! .... I know it may sound arrogant , but if my Quran is true, this will remain true !! => {And they ask thee concerning the soul. Say, ‘The soul is by the command of my Lord; and of the knowledge thereof you have been given but a little.} Quran 17/85

[@kaijuchimerastudios]

Who’s here after watching Pixar’s Soul;)

[@anasz7853]

Wasn't the best speach, From my best speaker

[@shukri9999]

Here is a psychologist scientist who read tons of books, trying to talk about soul but she said nothing. She didn't even scratch the surface of this knowledge. what is it made of? where does go when we die? how does it look like? when we sleep what happens to it? does it grow? does it have color? She said Music carrier of soul ? how did you know? and what does that mean?....useless video, has no value, The Quraan challenges the scientists over the ages to bring knowledge about the soul, it says: "And they ask you, [O Muhammad], about the soul. Say, "The soul is of the affair of my Lord. And mankind have not been given of knowledge except a little." chapter 17, verse 85. This is challenge is only found in the Quraan, and the fact that the Quraan challenge the scientist in all this years and the years to come is in itself a proof that the Quraan is from God.

[@rumaabba8875]

are u made law of soul using qorr'an ?? who r u ??, do you know soul music ??

[@fayyazyounus1585]

She said a lot. Only you could not get it because you were, perhaps, seeking that Soul or Rooh is an possession. To be punished or rewarded

[@fisherqueen8260]

Following another in such a dogmatic way (and his teaching cause and continues to cause harm) take you away from following your own autonomous life... your soul will guide you if you attune to it uncontaminated by doctrine. Can you do better??? Without hiding behind another’s mans attempt to control the masses.

[@Sweety-ut8zw]

*MAY ALLAH GUIDE ALL WHO ARE SEEKERS OF THE TRUTH* "He is Allah besides Whom there is no God, the Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is the Beneficent, the Merciful. He is Allah besides Whom there is no God, the King, the Holy, the Author of peace, the Granter of security, Guardian over all, the Mighty, the Supreme, the Possessor of greatness. Glory be to Allah from that which they set up (as false gods) ! He is Allah, the Creator, the Maker,[5] the Fashioner: His are the most beautiful names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth declares His glory; and He is the Mighty, the Wise” Quran 59:22-24. Say (O Muhammad), "I am no more than a human like you, and it has been inspired to me that your god is but One God. So whoever longs to meet his Lord shall do good deeds and never associate anyone in the worship of his Lord." Quran18:110 O you messenger, deliver what is brought down to you from your Lord. If you do not, then you have not delivered His message. Quran 5:67 We have sent you (O Messenger) with the truth as a bearer of news and a warner. Quran 2:119 "He has ordained for you the same religion (Islam) which He enjoined on Noah, and that which We have revealed to you, and which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses and Jesus: namely that you should remain steadfast in religion and be not divided therein.” [Quran 42:13] After the corruption of the older Scriptures, the Quran came with a twofold purpose -- to confirm the true and original message of Islam, and to stand as a witness to it, by confirming the truth and rejecting the falsehood, which over time came into the older Scriptures. Muslims are required to believe in the revealed Scriptures and to make no distinction between any of them, or the Messengers who brought them, may Allah exalt their mention, because they all come from the One True God. The Quran says (what means): "Say (O Muhammad to the Jews and Christians): 'We believe in Allah and that which has been sent to us and that which has been sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and to Al-Asbat, (the offspring of the twelve sons of Jacob) and that which has been given to Moses and Jesus, and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islam).” [Quran 2:136] Say, "O people, the truth has come to you from your Lord. Whoever is guided is guided for himself and whoever goes astray does so to his own detriment. I am not a trustee over you."Quran 10:108 If they turn away, your sole mission is the delivery (of the message). God is Seer of the people. Quran 3:20 Say, 'It is the truth from your Lord', then whoever wills shall believe and whoever wills shall disbelieve. Quran18:29 “And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed, all of them together. So, will you (O Muhammad) then compel mankind, until they become believers?” Quran 10:99 “And the duty of the Messenger is only to convey (the Message) plainly.” Quran 29:18 "This Book (The Quran) there is no doubt in it, is a guide to those who keep their duty, who believe in the Unseen and keep up prayer and spend (charitably) out of what We have given them, and who believe in that which has been revealed to thee (O Muhammad) and that which was revealed before thee, and of the Hereafter they are sure” Quran 2:2-4. "Blessed is God Who sent down theFurqan (the Quran) upon His servant that he may be a warner to all the nations” (25:1) “Say : O mankind, surely I (Muhammad)the Messenger of God to you all” Quran7:158 Say (O Muhammad), "What thing is the greatest testimony?" Say, "God is Witness between me and you that this Quran has been revealed to me to warn you with it and whomever it reaches. Do you bear witness that there are other gods besides God?" Say, "I do not bear witness". Say, "He is but One God and I am innocent of the shirk which you commit. 6:19 “There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in taghoot (false gods) and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break.” Quran 2:256 Verily, proofs have come to you from your Lord, so whosoever sees, will do so for (the good of) his ownself, and whosoever blinds himself, will do so to his own harm, and I (Muhammad) am not a watcher over you.”Quran 6:104 “Whosoever does righteous good deeds, it is for (the benefit of) his ownself; and whosoever does evil, it is against his ownself. And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) slaves.” Quran 41:46 Verily, this (Verses of the Quran) is an admonition, so whosoever wills, let him take a Path to his Lord (Allah).” Quran76:29 "This day have I (God) perfected for you your religion and completed My favour to you and chosen for you Islam as a religion” Quran 5:3. They want to extinguish God's [guiding] light with their utterances: but God will not allow [this to pass], for He has willed to spread His light in all its fullness, however hateful this may be to all who deny the truth. Quran 9:32 Shall I seek other than God as a law maker, when He has revealed to you the Book fully detailed? 6:114 The word of your Lord is complete, in truth and justice. 6:115