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....