A few verses that utilize chay (living) should help:
“For who is there of all mere man (thoughts), who have heard the voice (“call, sound”; internal whisper; # 6963) of the chay (consciously active) Mighty One [Yahweh] speaking (consciously resounding) from the midst of the fire (“burning”; conviction and judgement in thoughts; #784), as we (chosen souls, chosen minds) have, and continued to live (remain consciously fruitful)?” (Deuteronomy 5:26)

“Our souls (#5315 again, coming soon) thirst for You, O Living (consciously active Father!) When will we (thoughts being cleansed) come and appear in your presence (in Your Temple within)?” (Psalm 42:2)

“Yet the number (duplication) of the children (builders) of Israyl (“He will rule”, thoughts ruled by and for Yahweh”; #3478) will be as the sand (“round, twist”; numerous uncertainty; #2344) of the sea (“roar, noisy”; tumultuous thoughts; #3220), which cannot be measured or numbered. But in the place (thought plain) where it is said to them (chosen minds), ‘You are not (because of uncleanliness) My people,’ (thoughts) it will (because of renewal by His ruwach) be said to them; ‘Sons (builders) of the chay (consciously living) Father.”’

“And conscious life force became an active soul.”

As we proceed it is good to inform you that we have come to the crux of the conversation, per say. We bring to account the word “life” (#5315) as well as our word ruwach (#7307) in regards to the “world (tebel)” Yahweh “so loved.”

The Hebrew word for “soul” is nephesh (neh-fesh), its definition is “breathing, breathed upon”; #5315). “And man became a living breathing (nephesh).” And for the words that define nefesh:
breathing – revachah, “relief, internal”; #7309
A verse for cause:
“You [Yahweh] have heard my voice (internal cry)! Do not close your ears (“broadness”; understanding; #241) to my revachah (breathing, soul) and my cry for help!” (Lamentation 3:56)
breathe – #7307, ruwach, “wind, breath”