This supreme self is without a beginning, undifferentiated, deathless.
Though it dwells in the body, Arjuna, is neither acts nor is touched by action.
As akasha pervades the cosmos but remains unstained,
The self can never be tainted though it dwells in every creature.

The spirit and soul, our true self, or supreme self, is not affected by the things happening in the physical world.  It cannot be harmed or destroyed by physical forces.  However, your mental and physical activities can prevent the development of the spirit and the awakening of the soul.   For example, someone on drugs may have hallucinations they believe are spiritual visions and that they are becoming spiritually awakened.  They are not spiritual visions and drugs do not break down the barrier between the mental and the spiritual.