I would rather speak of consiousness then of Soul or Atman.
But, ofcourse it would be nice to alleviate the sufering in practical matter, if one feels like it. More essential is that one alleviate ones own true suffering by realization. This is what I see could be our journey, our evolution. Only one can help him or her self, we (Bodhisattva’s) can and must not do it for them, it is simply impossible.

I took the Bodhisattva vow by H.H. Dalai Lama. What I always find reassuring is it says. You reincarnate until all beings are enlightend, (wow dude!) But it also says it’s ok if you can not longer do it…all good ; )

This great animation movie from Karl Jacobs that you posted some days ago is a nice visualization of what I mean. Consiousness at peace, when it starts to play, also suffering kicks in. That’s ok, that’s life, birth and rebirth, Samsara in full effect, but you know what happens if the suffering is getting to big (todays human world, polution, everyting that not so nice).

They animal world is a different realm of that of humans. All realms are perfect, and we should not want to change that. But in this human realm we can make a change. And if I see the result of the suffering of most humans, I think we should try and make a change, because else humans will be no longer…

After awakening, one simply has compassion for everything that is in existence because they just simply exist…

yes I hear the sound of a Bodhisattva in what you say, “Alleviate the suffering of all beings.” And yes, I think that is a worthy goal to go for, and still – exploring the voice of the Healer, the fixer inside and seeing what it is he wants in life; it is just that, healing all suffering and all dreadful happenings. And right, when I hear of the suffering some of the teachers cause Felicia (daughter of my girlfriend), or the suffering people cause each other in workspace or in the supermarket I visit, or on the street, or in the park – or when I think of all the animals that are made to suffer every day for the food industry, and the cosmetic industry and pharma…
Yes, there is a never ending stream of suffering that seems to be in need of help, healing and all kinds of support.
And yet… life taught me that many humans, if you help them in one place, they’ll create two new places where they would need help. It’s like the helper and healer is taking away something from them that they dearly love and need. So never help anyone that doesn’t ask for help, and if they ask for help, look very good if you’re not just helping them to replacement-suffering; and then, finally, ask your heart if you really feel right in that situation… often helping is done to feel better about yourself.
Having said all that; in practical life I often don’t care, I just help if I feel so moved. There are no rules I follow, just insights of the moment and my heart’s feelings.

Regarding animals causing each other suffering; if this in nature, don’t do anything, I’d say. If it’s cause by humans for food and other industries – I’m mostly vegetarian because of that, not total, as you know; I sometimes profit from this inhumane behavior of industry, and I shouldn’t…

Actually, I don’t really think that it needs to be a goal – to end suffering – I think it’s naturally part of the intrinsic nature of having a brain and being able to mirror other being’s feelings. It seems to be evolutionary advantageous to have (some) compassion. I do think that Soul doesn’t have such a ‘goal’ at all; for Soul everything, all happenings, are the stuff it forms lives from. Like an artist using all colors of the palette, or a composer also using Moll and dissonances to embody hir art. So I wouldn’t say that Soul has any other problems than artistic ones, if at all…

Having embraced the cylcle of beings in the form of reincarnation and recognizing a “learning” “evolving” pattern. I would like to share my thoughts with you.

Obviously there are so many different beings, far more than “human” beings. So many countless, endless beings…. So having a human vessel (if I may), is what you can say very special. Now thinking you have obtained a (good) human vessel and probably will in your next life, is most likely….

Your human intellectual mind makes it possible to think and talk about this topic, and you may say: ” what does it all matter, what’s the goal here it’s all just fine for me”. Offcourse that is fantastic, but are you really sure it’s all fine…? Considering the suffering of all these (other) beings…
If you look only at those who are poor, sick, fighting for their lifes and loved ones. The animal world is constantly fighting for survival, existence, killing, suffering, etc.

What happends when your conciousness is in a vessel of a person who is being sexually/mentally abused, beaten and hated….
Does your mind have the power to overcome this suffering and not to harm yourself and others. Can you develop compassion for those who harm you? Can you imagine the live of a street dog…

I think you now what my point is. It is this suffering what is the problem. We have the potential to transform our minds and the suffering with every life we have. This should be our “goal”, our “evolution”…
Being human, having the perfect vessel to do it.

Love,

Wouter