soul-stuff

"Soul-stuff" refers to an impersonal essence believed by some Indonesian and Melanesian peoples to vitalize the body. This essence is thought to permeate an individual's body and objects they contact, and can separate from the body temporarily (like in dreams) or permanently (at death).1

In religion and philosophy, the soul is considered the immaterial aspect of a human being, conferring individuality and humanity, often equated with the mind or self. In theology, it's the part of an individual that connects with divinity and may survive bodily death. Across cultures, various beliefs exist about the soul's nature, its connection to the body, and its origin and mortality. Some traditions, like Hinduism, view the soul (atman) as eternal and part of a universal principle, with individual souls (jiva) undergoing cycles of rebirth (samsara) determined by karma. Buddhism, however, rejects the concept of an individual eternal soul. The concept of immortality, or the continuation of existence beyond physical death, is a central theme in many religions and philosophies, often tied to the survival of the soul.2345