The 6 Soul Light Types
Written by Sohale, Founder of Soul.
Introduction
For thousands of years, many of my ancestors experienced enlightenment as a result of the realization of the Divine—known as Nirvana in Buddhism, Mokṣa (मोक्ष) in Hinduism, Fanaa (فناء) in Islam, Enlightenment in Christianity, or actualization in Western Psychology.
Ancient techniques of meditation facilitate a knowing of Divinity through knowledge of the Reality of Living. Fundamentally, it’s a Consciousness of knowing the ultimate truth: we are One. It’s this recognition of Oneness that drives every desire, fueling every story, and enrapturing every heart. In plain terms, if you want, it’s because you need—and the root of every want is experiencing inner peace.
The below text reveals ancestral, esoteric understandings of the world. It inspires a lifetime of practice yet given the exigency, the need for greater peace in hearts, it’s commonsensical to share an extremely succinct background of these teachings and how they inform our Soul Light type: a doorway to knowing and recognizing where one’s heart leans in discovering inner joy.
At Soul, we reveal your Soul Light type through your gratitude entries, offering you a doorway to learn about yourself as well as gain insight on specific meditations for your Light type, which deepens your relationship with Self.
Note: if you want to dig deeper, then I recommend reading The Garden of Truth, Freedom Transmissions, or The Book of Certainty.
The 6 Soul Lights
Based on Sufi esoteric texts, there are 6 settings or modes of the primordial human mapped onto the macrocosm: north, south, east, west, height, and depth. These manifest into 6 Primary Lights or Themes in experiencing inner peace. They then map themselves onto the human body, signaling doors that are designed to embrace the Divine. It results in alchemizing oneself and realizing Divinity.
The above profoundly corresponds to the Kaaba, located in Mecca, which is considered the House of God built by Abraham. It’s believed in Islamic sources that it is also the meeting point of Adam and Eve—representing the meeting point of the Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine—including other ethereal symbols. A whole life can be spent revealing the wonders of this way of Being.
A powerful meditation is seeing the Kaaba as you. The below diagram reveals those alchemical areas—meditation regions—of the body, which align with the astrological orientation of the Kaaba.
Details of each of these Lights that correspond with one’s Soul Light type are written below.
Your Soul Light type reveals how your being experiences the sacred, which finds home in your gratitude messages. By identifying your Soul Light type, you’re empowering your being to discover and double-down on the ways to know and nourish inner peace and joy.
1. Purifying Light
The Purifying Light seeks to cleanse the heart and mind of negativity of the world, paving the way for Light to flourish. Through practices of self-reflection, forgiveness, and letting go, they purify their inner landscape, allowing Light to permeate every aspect of their being.
For me, meditating on this Light represents an aspect of freedom: withdrawing from the multiplicity of the world and seeking refuge in Oneness.
The Purifying Light represents the “North” in the above diagram—you can think of winter. That’s why, for meditation, the image to behold is one of a snow-capped mountain. It’s a symbol of eternity and immutability, a virtue of detachment and being; ultimately, seeking sanctuary and purity in Oneness. In this Light, Divinity is Purity of Heart.
2. Victorious Light
With a spirit of resilience and triumph, the Victorious Light celebrates Light as a triumph over adversity. They find strength and courage in moments of struggle, emerging victorious with hearts full of appreciation for the lessons learned and the growth achieved.
I particularly love this as I see this Light as an opening towards victory and joy. This quote by Leonard Cohen comes to mind, “There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.”
This Light represents the East in the above diagrams, symbolizing Spring and manifestation. For meditation, one image to behold is lightning illuminating a dark night - representing the victory of light over darkness. It’s also a symbol of openness, vigilance, discernment, and action. In this Light, Divinity is an Act of the Heart.
3. Sanctifying Light
The Sanctifying Light views Light as a sacred practice, elevating ordinary moments into divine experiences. They sanctify the mundane with reverence and awe, recognizing the sacredness inherent in every breath, every heartbeat, and every interaction.
The meditation that moves me most for the Light is associated with everyday moments of peace such as the feeling of satisfaction after a really good meal, the feeling of a warm Sunday afternoon nap, or spending time with dear friends.
This Light represents the West in the above diagrams, symbolizing Autumn. For meditation, the image to behold is a placid lake or a white lotus. There’s the quintessence of peace and contentment, a true embodiment of gratitude. In this Light, Divinity is Peace of the Heart.
4. Saving Light
Driven by a compassionate heart, the Saving Light extends Light to those who have offered salvation and support in times of need. They express profound appreciation for the kindness and generosity of others, recognizing the transformative power of love and compassion.
“Passion for life” or joie de vivre is really what comes to mind with this Light. It’s a realization of mercy, the opportunity that we get to have and be.
This Light represents the South in the above diagrams, symbolizing Summer. The meditation to behold is a warm fire - its virtue is of faith and fervor. A presentation of life and confidence rooted in creative, life force energy. In this Light, Divinity is Life of the Heart.
5. Transcendent Light
Guided by a transcendent vision, the Transcendent Light—also known as the Supreme Light—perceives Light as a gateway to higher states of consciousness and enlightenment. They transcend the limitations of the ego and embrace a state of oneness with all existence, where Light flows effortlessly as an expression of divine grace.
The “third eye” is where this Light shines. There’s so many lovely meditations that focus on the third eye. In particular, the “Self-Realization Fellowship” founded by the luminary Pramanhansa Yogananda offers these meditations. Check one out here.
The Transcendent Light represents height and the forehead—specifically, the third eye—in the above diagrams. The image to behold in meditation is a full moon. It realizes Light and inner joy as the reality of life. In this Light, Divinity is Oneness.
6. Heart Light
Grounded in the here and now, the Heart Light—also known as the Immanent Light—finds Light in the present moment. They revel in the beauty of everyday experiences, recognizing that the Self is Divine.
With an open and compassionate heart, the Heart Light fosters deep connections and meaningful relationships grounded in Light. They express appreciation through acts of kindness, empathy, and love, nurturing the bonds that unite us all.
This represents depth and the spiritual heart—which is different from the physical heart as articulated in many mystical traditions such as Sufism and Kriya Yoga—in the above diagrams. The image to behold in meditation is a bright sun, pure light. The virtue of concentration and consciousness. It’s the true Self in the now. In this Light, Divinity is the Self, which is beyond the ego.
Again, please note that this is an extremely succinct overview of these esoteric teachings. They do go much deeper yet this overview serves as a strong starting point in understanding the Soul Lights. Individuals spend a lifetime reveling in these modalities.
Ultimately, whether through Purification, Victory, Sanctification, Salvation, Transcendence, or Heart each Soul Light type illuminates a way—that ultimately beholds a transcendental unity—toward a more grateful and fulfilling existence.
If you want to discover your Soul Light type and learn more about yourself, try out Soul. It will reveal your Soul Light type and provide insights on where your heart and mind find joy.