Our understanding of the soul has its roots in the depths of ancient reflections on man and his inner organization.

Mapping the Triune Human Soul

Our understanding of the soul has its roots in the depths of ancient reflections on man and his inner organization. There exists a vibrant, energetic view of the soul as a complex, harmonious whole divided into several functional areas, each endowed with unique tasks and reflecting the physical, emotional, and moral aspects of our lives.

In this perspective, the soul is seen as a triune entity. The first, the intellectual or verbal part, is conditionally associated with the region of the head and throat—the place where thoughts and words are born that define our understanding of the world. The next part, responsible for angry impulses, is located from the throat to the diaphragm. It is here, in our sensations, that we feel how strong emotions can “boil” in the chest, reminding us of the destructive power of uncontrolled anger. Finally, the third component, linked to passions and will, is situated below the diaphragm and symbolizes life in all its physical and instinctive expressions.

Interestingly, there is an alternative viewpoint that gives central importance to the heart. Here, the soul is regarded as a reflection of our moral choices, permeated by temptations we become acquainted with from youth. The heart becomes the arena of a constant struggle between temptations and the pursuit of spiritual perfection, opening a path to transformation through deep repentance and personal growth.

This multifaceted approach not only emphasizes the complexity of the soul itself but also demonstrates how physical sensations interweave with inner experiences, allowing us to better understand the essence of human nature. This view inspires self-examination, helping us learn to manage our emotions and strive for harmony in every aspect of our being.

Where, according to different viewpoints, is the human soul located?

There is an opinion that the human soul is not merely a single immaterial whole, but consists of several parts, each associated with a specific area of the body. For example, according to one view, the soul consists of three parts, each with its own “location”: the so-called intellectual or verbal part, conditionally located in the head and throat area; the anger part—roughly from the throat to the diaphragm (hence the sensation of “boiling in the chest” during anger); and the passionate or willful part, found from the diaphragm downward. This division highlights not only the functional characteristics of the soul but also its interaction with the physical state of a person.

Another perspective focuses on the notion that in every person’s heart there exists a peculiar “location” of the soul, expressed in a predisposition to sinful tendencies acquired from youth. According to this view, the soul finds its reflection in the heart, where it is capable of resisting sin or, on the contrary, succumbing to it, with the possibility of finding a path to change through deep repentance.

Supporting citation(s):
"Of what “parts” is the human soul composed? What are its essential “capabilities”? Weren’t you taught this? Schools do not teach what the soul is and how to deal with it?! It's an amazing thing. Then I’ll tell you. The soul has three parts. The intellectual, or verbal, part of the soul is (conditionally speaking) located in the region of the head and throat. Tell me, when we are angry, where does it boil? In the chest. Approximately from the throat to the diaphragm is the anger part of the soul. (This is the area of our feelings that we call the angry part. And anger is the most destructive emotion for the soul.) Further, from the diaphragm downward, is the part of the soul that oversees the digestion of food and the continuation of the human race; it is called the passionate, or willful, part of the soul..." (source: link txt)

"In the heart of every person there exists an inclination towards sin, which he learned from his youth..." (source: link txt)