Anima Mundi – Definition and Meaning

Definition

Anima Mundi is the soul of the world. It is a pure ethereal spirit, which was proclaimed by some ancient philosophers to be diffused throughout all nature.

The idea originated with Plato. But the concept has been discovered to be of more ancient origin. And it prevailed in systems of certain Eastern philosophers.

The Storics believed it to be the only vital force in the universe. Similar concepts were held by hermetic philosophers like Paracelsus. And it has been incorporated into modern philosophy by philosophers. An example is Fredrich Schelling (1775-1854).

Meaning

The anima mundi is the soul of the world. A connection with all the things.

The meaning is related to cosmic consciousness and atman.