How does the Church of Scientology view the concept of the soul, and how does this inform their practices?

In the Church of Scientology, the concept of the soul is central to their beliefs and practices. According to Scientology, a person is made up of three components: the body, mind, and thetan, which is the spiritual essence of a person.

Scientologists believe that the thetan is immortal and has lived through many past lives, referred to as "past lives" or "incarnations." The thetan carries with it the knowledge and experience gained from these past lives, which can be accessed through the practice of Scientology.

Scientology holds that spiritual awareness and enlightenment can be achieved through a process known as auditing, in which an auditor helps a person to locate and confront past traumas and negative emotions. This process is designed to help individuals overcome negative influences from their past and move towards spiritual growth and personal transformation.

The Church of Scientology also places a great deal of emphasis on the idea of "clearing," which is the state of spiritual enlightenment achieved through auditing. According to Scientology, a "clear" person is someone who has achieved complete mental and spiritual clarity, free from the negative influences of past traumas and negative emotions.

Overall, the Church of Scientology's view of the soul is unique in its emphasis on the thetan as the spiritual essence of a person, which is believed to hold the key to achieving spiritual enlightenment and personal transformation. Through the practice of auditing and other spiritual practices, Scientologists believe that they can achieve a state of spiritual clarity and enlightenment, which sets them apart from other major religions that may not emphasize the concept of past lives or the spiritual essence of a person to the same degree.