H'shem has revealed to us the right way to serve Him in our actions, emotions, and thoughts. If you were to pray or wait for H'shem to choose for you the correct way to serve Him, the Tefilah would be in vain and the waiting for not, for H'shem, has already shown us the way. One who chooses to abide by the Mitzvot and love H'shem in his heart and soul will be rewarded for these choices in the World to come.
pg 431
Nefesh Hachaim
Above our Neshama there is another soul (shoresh haneshama,/ root of the neshama) referred to as chaya (or yechida) The chaya gives man the capacity to think. Kohels refers to our ability to think as the root of life. "Wisdom gives life to him who possesses it"
Gate Two, Chapter 17 pg 100
