As we advance further down the pathway to explore the holistic industry and all the enrichment it offers us in so many ways, we all trip up from time to time. And, from my chats with people here and there, it seems an understanding of what “soul” really means is one of those stumbling blocks.

Of course, it’s also called the “mind, body and soul” industry and the first two seem easier to grasp, even if we fall far short in our endeavours to still the chattering mind and honour the temple of the body!
Soul, though, is a more elusive thing!

There’s the understanding that it forms the bridge between our earthly body and the universal spirit that’s central to most esoteric teaching, our personal path to God; there’s also the sense that it’s related to lifeforce or maybe it is even life itself as suggested in that old word “anima”; and, of course, we understand the sort of music or art that comes alive for us on a personal level because it has soul. Edith Piaf, Handel and Youssou N’Dour couldn’t be more different as music makers, but for me, at least, they all overflow with soul and I play those CDs to death!

I think one description most people would agree on is the understanding that your soul is your individual essence, whatever it is that makes you, you and me, me. Eric Harrison in his provocative piece, “Soul Truth”, describes it perfectly as “this gut feeling of individuality”. I think we all know exactly what he means. As to whether our soul lives on after our physical form has departed, that’s for each of us to decide.

On every level, these are days when our individual and collective soul needs careful nurturing - and that’s what we’ve set out to do for you this month. So take your pick from stories that look at Celtic folklore, how we can practise sustainable consumption, thinking “whole”, and drawing in the powerful sense of openness and freedom of a Nullarbor road trip. Even dodging road trains, it’s still a fabulous experience.

I’ve taken some of my own advice over the past month and taken a little time out to nurture body and soul in Melbourne and delightful Daylesford in rural Victoria. While we were there we took the opportunity to retrace my own family’s earliest footsteps in Australia, around the time of the Goldrushes in the late 1850s when my great grandfather, Judge Michael Macoboy, was the circuit judge of Bendigo. I’ve often wondered what it meant being a “circuit judge” and now I realise he must have meandered through the beautiful countryside by stagecoach (life was slower then), listening to cases in the various small towns that had sprung up around the diggings. Life must have been reasonably peaceful except for the time he was famously held up and robbed by the bushranger, the Wild Colonial Boy. That, sadly, is how my most eminent ancestor is best remembered! My ramble through memory lanes was very restorative and makes me determined to see more of this beautiful and historic part of Australia.

Just time to remind you of our new online venture - the whole magazine in both East and West editions is now also at your fingertips at www.novaholisticjournal.com We’ve had very positive feedback about how easy it is to “read” so take a look for yourself. Have a peaceful month.

Margaret Evans
NOVA Editor
July 2008