Brookings resident Carl Kline is an ordained clergyman, part-time teacher and occasional blogger.

Leave it to Disney to make a film called “Soul.” Brought to the screen in 2024 after four years in the making, it was one of the top 10 films of the year. Nominated for three Academy Awards, it won two and received numerous other honors. The film is about a middle school teacher who plays the piano. He dies in an accident and is intent to reunite his soul with his body in time for his big break as a jazz musician.

Who knew? Where was I? I’m usually the first to notice and attend a Disney movie. Give me fantasy and fiction any day, in the midst of our usual reality. The film grossed over $122 million and was recognized for its “story, craftsmanship, themes, characters, ideas, creativity, animation, sound design, musical score and emotional weight.” I’ll have to find it on the net.

Reading about this movie made me think about an understanding of the word “soul.” Where does our concept come from? Who or what shapes it? There is a book on my shelf, in line to be read in the near future. The title is “Soul of a Citizen” by Paul Rogat Loeb. Mine is the 2010 edition, that many claim is more inspirational and motivating than the first one. The San Francisco Chronicle wrote, “Should be mandatory reading for anyone over the age of 12 — especially every woman or man who has traded ‘I give a damn’ for ‘I give up.’” It is a “passionate but reasoned call for Americans to become involved in issues that matter” according to the Chicago Sun Times.

I’m just starting the fourth chapter of “The Seat of the Soul” by Gary Zukav. It appears to incorporate traditional concepts of soul from various religions with new and challenging assumptions. For Zukav, every person has a soul, and the health and well being of that soul is the purpose of life. Everything else should serve that purpose. He has followed this book with “Thoughts from the Seat of the Soul; Meditations for Souls in Process.”

I remember reading a book by an anthropologist some years ago, where he attributed the word “soul” to the breath. As an observer watched the breath leave the body of the dying person, they called it soul. Scripture makes the same connection. The first appearance of the word used for soul in the Bible is found in the book of Genesis, where God breathes the “breath” of life into Adam; often interpreted as spirit or soul.

Then in contemporary times there are the soul brothers; the soul-full musicians; soul food; the ones who bare their souls; those who keep body and soul together; the lost souls; those who sell their soul. There are several definitions given by Webster for the word soul. I’m still struggling and searching to fully understand the concept. But the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:26 help. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

The soul appears to be priceless, according to Jesus. Nothing in this world is more important.

It even appears to be essential, according to Webster. And soul appears to be obvious, evident, in persons we recognize with integrity.

For Zukav, the values of the soul are four-fold: harmony, cooperation, sharing and reverence for life. If we could develop those values as persons, as citizens, we might truly enjoy a soul-full individual and cooperative existence, in a country rich in spirit if not in things.