I have been on this spiritual journey of mine for over 4 years and feel I have gained a lot of insight into the universe and God but I am still puzzled by one thing. I feel it is true that we all have a soul and that it journeys from life time to life time, gathering wisdom as it grows. But I also believe that we are all connected, all one and there is the rub for me. It seems that the soul is an individual thing at least if it is

true that we all have our own, while the concept of a connected universe, where everything is God, seems to suggest only one soul, the soul of God. Now I have read many books and have meditated on this question but I have yet to receive an answer that is satisfying to me. If you can offer any insight into this question of mine, I would really appreciate it.

I have been feeling emotionally disconnected from friends and family members for some time.

I have never displayed much emotion as it is. I go through the motions of greeting family members with a kiss and hug and being in their company. I contribute and attend family events, yet through it all I feel no emotion or connection. I would not say that I feel uncomfortable with this non emotion I am just very aware of it.

I have spiritual practices which I do daily like chanting a mantra, simply being in the moment and EFT which has truly turned my emotional life around. This has left me with an inner peace and calm most of the time. Does acquiring a regular state of peace and calm somehow circumvents the emotions and they take a back seat to that peace and calm?

I am from Finland. I probably did not get a single spiritual gene from my ancestors. My heritage is a working-class background, with peasant ancestors who did not speak much or have any intellectual endeavors. Could it be just so, that I am not capable of any enlightening experiences? I have never really been in love even, but that does not mean that I do not know love. I recognise love when I see it. I am not unhappy, not simple person and also not young anymore. As far as I know, I have not been a bad person. I have not hurt anyone on purpose. All this new age stuff is fascinating and it is not difficult for me to have synchronous experiences etc. But there are some thought patters (in new age circles) I cannot get over with: 1. “The world is a school, where souls learn and evolve.”: OK. This sounds really bad for someone who has had the most boring and unhappy time of their life in school. If life is a school I would like to tell God, “please home school me, and teach me personally. Do not send me to any institution.” I mean, if God is a pedagogue, he should be the best one, and the best one would never put little souls through this thing called school. Yack. 2. “Universe gives you guidance all the time.”. OK, what if I do not want universe to mess around with everything I do? So my life is some kind of jigsaw puzzle and universe throws a piece in my face at times? Hey, how about just giving me the whole picture, I am not a baby anymore. If the universe can give hints, it can also communicate in clear language. After initial fascination the hint-giving universe starts to be boring. I am just tuned to hints and do not see the real life around me anymore. This is what I mean, I have no genetic or cultural equipment to handle this, like an Indian person certainly has. So what do you say, how about if I just try to find love, and forget everything else? In my background there is not much love, but seeing love feels normal, universe circling around me does not. 3. “Vibes” -talk. I know that now I am sending “bad vibes”, because I am not writing happy-happy words. But you say happy-happy stuff to kids only. Everybody knows that we do not live in a happy-happy planet. Maybe I just believe in another “vibe”, which is called common sense and clarity. I would like to add that vibe to the world more. I think it needs it badly. I want to thank you for writing so inspirational and beautiful books. You have influenced my thoughts and knowledge.

I need some help!  I am reading your book  Perfect Health and found out through the quiz on your web site and the descriptions in your book I am Pitta Vata type.  The problem I am finding is I am not sure which diet to follow to get back into balance.  When I started my Vata was very out of balance.  I am following the Vata balancing diet. When I took the test on line  today after being on the diet and following a consistent daily routine my answers changed me from Vata Pitta to Pitta Vata.   So I am not sure how to proceed?  I feel really great but want to continue to do the right thing.

I wonder about our true self and what it is. Is our true self/the essence of what we are, the same as Atman or is it something that is even beyond Atman? Since we all are in the process of shifting our awareness from jiva to Atman, does that mean that both jiva and Atman are different points of view or two different ways of experiencing what is? Is it really possible for consciousness to be pure and totally objective? As soon as there is awareness, isn’t it also automatically directed somewhere, for ex. in the best case towards Atman?