[Edith has on her person, at all times, a collection of notes, letters and other personal clippings, bound almost scrapbook-fashion into a portfolio. Her cursive handwriting is visible on almost every page.]
Consider that Man is tripartite; the mind, the body and the soul work in tandem, in a manner comparable to the cogs behind the clock face. Consider that the mind is known by and through our contemplation, for to know the mind is to examine it with its own self. And while one can take steps to guess at the mind of another, the only person one can ever truly know is oneself. I shall return to that point in a moment.
Consider next the body, one's flesh and bone, the vessel that contains the mind and the soul, but is also equipped with the tools needed to examine the world. It is itself, however, a facet of personhood - a large part of one's idea of oneself stems from what can be touched and felt, what can be seen. For it is by our eyes that we see, and then by process of thought that we comprehend, and by process of soul that the experience may edify us, the three elements of our personhood, our hallowed trinity, that require each other to reach their full potential.
One's consideration of the soul, perhaps the most abstract aspect of personhood, is more difficult. At its core, the soul is the true essence of self, that which cannot be replicated or divided, for soul is not of substance, but of being. The soul is the basis of character and temperament. It is because of this truth that one can improve oneself; for to meditate on it, is to erect the mental fortress and focus on what is within, to grasp at its energy and scrub away its imperfections - that is how we are improved. This focus state can be observed outside of pure meditation.
Consider actions that require both great focus and great skill - the archer lining up his shot, controlling each breath; the mage who draws with their hands and paints with their words to alter and harness magical energy; the pugilist who is more than a thug, who channels their very soul into their fingertips and feet - they all share one thing in common. All who are skilled make their skill appear effortless. It is in this state that one can most overtly, outside of pure meditation, be made keenly aware of one's soul. As effort and skill embrace, there arises a feeling of perfect being. One becomes so involved in the task at hand, that it feels that one scarcely exists at all, and there is a sensation of floating. That, I assert, is the knowledge of soul, sailing over the mind and body. It is at this moment that our being ascends, nay, transcends what is known. It is a foretaste of divinity.
The Divinity of Mankind.
~~
I revisit now my earlier point, the sad truth that one can only truly know oneself. This brings me directly to the nature of solipsism and the solipsist. It is a byproduct of both this theological philosophy and what can be observed. What can we know of others? We can read their expressions, their movements. We can study the cadance of their voice, and we can test their convictions by using their actions as a benchmark. But can we know their true thoughts, their true being? We cannot. We cannot know the soul of another, the mind of another. We can draw closer to knowledge of another's body, but such intimate examination of the vessel of another is improper.
It is here that I must exhort you, reader, to consider all that you know. Consider what you understand of their temperament, their voice, their habits. Burn it upon your memory. And be wary of any change. For it is documented that there are creatures who wear our humanity as a mask. But they lack the soul. There is a sensation that begins to gnaw as one notes the subtle changes in temperament. They play at humanity without truly understanding its subtleties. Understand that this is an uncomfortable truth, though I do not wish to sow paranoia, but it must be said. Know thyself, for you cannot know any other - how many do you pass that wear the human face? It is impossible to tell.
[A small painting, well-loved, is attached below by the corners, allowing Edith to remove and replace it at will.]
[Should the painting be turned around, a message is visible on the reverse side.]