Chaya is where we become aware of others. Our value is not in being an individual, but rather as being part of a whole, the universal soul. In Genesis 2:7 a breath of life (Chaya) was breathed into Adam. Interestingly, life is found not in the individual but in the whole of the community. Think of “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). Love is required since you and your neighbor were created at the same time with the soul of life. Peace, security, and a sense of meaning and purpose are found in the collective soul.
Yechidah is where our soul is connected to the Creator. At this level we are practically on the verge of being nullified (ceasing to exist). This nullification is due to the overwhelming presents of the Creator, but we are not at that point, just very very close to it. Love HaShem your G-d (Deuteronomy 6:5) means draw close like we do with our spouse but not so close that we cease to exist as an individual. Remember Enoch (Genesis 5:24) so loved G-d that he was taken by G-d. This is an example of one being absorbed by the whole.
To recap; the Nefesh is our connection to flesh and our 5 senses. Ruach is our connection with a spirit and our emotions. Neshama is our connection with truth and our intellect. Chaya is our connection with others through the universal soul. Yechidah is our connection to the Creator.
Take the last few Nuggets and think through these levels.
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