Soul is the divine essence and not the life energy though it is commonly mistaken for that. But the life energy in an individual is drawn from the cosmic life force that pervades everything. To take the known image of the Gita, the body is the chariot (car if you like), horses are the life energy (petrol or other sources of energy), the charioteer (driver) is the buddhi while the traveller is the soul. Vital refers to the planes of life so in a way it is connected with the life energy.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
