Love. It exists within all people, places, and things. It is inextricably linked to God or Spirit. It is the most powerful force in the universe.
In the grand scheme of things, Love encompasses all, so why is there a need to distinguish one type of love from another? The answer is that in order to spiritually awaken as individuals, we often need to label what we feel and experience. This helps us to better understand what we’re going through on the physical plane.
Before you continue please know that all unconditional forms of love are no better or worse than each other. They all bring their own unique gifts and lessons. They are equal.
The Difference Between Soulmates, Twin Flames, and Kindred Spirits
Soulmates, twin flames and kindred spirits are all phrases that have been used to describe relationships that touch our souls and change our lives forever.
But what is the difference between all of these terms?
I’ll share my interpretation below.
Please note that I’m revealing my own experience (and yours might differ). In my life, I’ve had the good fortune of experiencing all three types of love. Mateo Sol, my partner and co-writer of this website, is what I would consider both a soul mate and twin flame. So the people in our lives can definitely overlap these definitions!
What is a Kindred Spirit?
Kindred spirits are individuals that resonate at the same level or frequency as us.
As everything in life is composed of energy, we often feel attracted to some people and repelled by others. Have you ever spoken to a person who just seems to “vibe” or “click” with you? That person was probably a kindred spirit vibrating at the same energetic level as you.
Physically, a kindred spirit could be anything: a close friend, a confidant, a family member, a teacher, a lover, a pet, or even a landform.
Kindred spirits often play a very passive role in our lives. In other words, they do not play a very major part in our spiritual growth, but they do comfort and support us. Often kindred spirits share the same personality types as us, as well as similar tastes, interests, and passions. While not all kindred spirit connections are necessarily deep and soulful, some can be (these can be thought of as “soul friend” connections).
What is a Soulmate?
Soulmates are people in our lives whom we connect with on a deep level.
As the name implies, soulmates are primarily friends of the soul. If you have found your soulmate they will likely be the best, and truest friend, you will ever have. You’ll be able to share everything with your soulmate, from your wildest dreams to your most shameful secrets. Nothing is off-limits.
Spiritually, soulmates usually play a major role in your development. It is possible for soulmates to be platonic, romantic and/or sexual in nature. You can also have multiple soulmates in one lifetime, hence the many love triangles we see and experience.
There are a few different types of soulmate relationships, you can read a summarized version here:
Soul friends
Soul friends are very similar to kindred spirits. However, the essential difference between the two is that kindred spirits are more personality-based, and soul friends are more essence-based. In other words, soul friends share our deepest dreams, values, and drives (not just similar personalities and tastes). This is the most common type of soulmate.
Soul teachers
As the name suggests, soul teachers appear in our lives to help teach us vital life lessons. Sometimes these lessons are taught deliberately, and other times these lessons are unintentional. Soul teachers often appear in the form of ex-lovers, family members, friends, and even enemies.
Soul companions
This type of soulmate is a combination of both friend and teacher. In fact, soul companions most closely match people’s perception of what a “soul mate” is. As confidants, soul companions deeply understand, love and cherish us. The depth and blissful harmony that you experience in this relationship will outshine any other that you’ve ever had.
What is a Twin Flame?
Twin flames are our mirrors.
They reflect back to us all the strengths, insecurities, weaknesses, and shadows that we possess. The purpose of the twin flame relationship is to help us undergo inner work, spiritual transformation, and become the best version of ourselves possible.
But here’s the thing, at first twin flame relationships can be intense and tumultuous. This can carry on for many years. But once both egos surrender to their purging and purification, the gifts of humility, empathy and unconditional love are finally obtained.
Our flames reflect the disowned parts of ourselves; they are the yins to our yangs, the suns to our moons, and the light to our darkness. They propel us into shadow work, deep self-discovery and the fulfillment of our potential.
Many people have asked me whether it’s possible to have more than one twin flame. My response is that it could be possible, but I doubt it. As the word “twin” implies, we only have one twin flame in this life. Sometimes we don’t even meet our twin flame in this incarnation, but rest assured, we have always been connected to them on the level of Spirit.
Your twin flame could be your greatest dream or your worst nightmare (or both). They will test you, provoke you and love you fiercely all at once.
Among many tell-tale signs, the greatest proof of a twin flame relationship is its capacity to stimulate the deepest and most beneficial changes within you.
More In-Depth Help
Want to learn more about twin flame and soulmate relationships? In our book Twin Flames & Soulmates, we give more in-depth guidance:
Common Questions
I realize that all the little nuances of soulmate, twin flame, and kindred spirit connections can’t be answered above. So in this section, I’ll attempt to address the most common questions people have asked me.
In a past article, we’ve already explored the most common twin flame questions out there (see our Ultimate Twin Flame Guide to read that). So to prevent redundancy, I’ll just answer the most common questions pertaining to soulmates and kindred spirits below.
If you have any burning questions on your mind that aren’t answered below, do let me know in the comments:
1. What does it mean when someone says you have a kindred spirit?
When someone says you have a kindred spirit, they’re often implying that both of you have a lot in common. This is a great compliment that indicates the person likes you and resonates with your interests and values.
2. Are kindred spirits soul mates?
Yes, it is possible for kindred spirits to be soul mates. In the realm of love and connection, it’s not always easy to make crystal clear distinctions. Some kindred spirits will connect with us on an ego level, while others will connect with us on a soul level. Those who connect with us on a soul level are also known as soul mates or soul friends.
3. What is the difference between a soulmate and twin flame?
Soulmates and twin flame relationships have different purposes. While soulmates are there to provide gentle and stable support, twin flames are there to ignite the fires of spiritual transformation. Soulmate relationships are designed to uplift us, while twin flame relationship are designed to challenge us. I like to compare the two relationships to fire (twin flames) and water (soulmates).
4. Can a soulmate hurt you?
Yes, it is possible for a soulmate to hurt you. No relationship is perfect, and arguments, as well as emotional hurt, can occur in any type of relationship. However, in a soulmate relationship, it is unlikely that your soulmate will intentionally try to harm you. More often than not they unintentionally harm you as a result of their own unresolved wounds.
5. Do we all have a soulmate?
Yes, we all have at least one soulmate on this earth right now. However, not all of us are open to the possibility of connecting with our soulmate due to negative beliefs, self-destructive habits, and other limiting patterns of behavior. Unfortunately, some people are programmed with the belief that they’re not “worthy” of happiness or aren’t “good enough.” Often, those who do inner work find that they’re able to finally connect with their soulmate after years of searching.
Twin Flames & Soul Mates:
Learn how to forge true, deep, and enduring twin flame and soul mate love – no matter what stage you’re at, starting right now. This book is for anyone seeking to find and create an authentic, fulfilling, and awakened relationship.
6. Do we only have one soulmate?
No. Many people (including myself) believe we have many soulmates who exist in a multitude of forms. Our soulmates can be our partners, friends, coworkers, siblings, or even animal companions. One thing is for sure: all the soulmates we meet throughout our lives will have a major impact on us. Our lives will be much richer after coming into contact with our soulmates.
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At a fundamental level, all souls are connected, all souls flow back to the One Spirit.
We have all been given the opportunity to experience at least one soulmate, twin flame or kindred spirit connection in life. These relationships teach us so much about ourselves, our gifts and our unique potentials. In the end, if we’re lucky, we are brought back to the one great truth: that we have been Whole and Complete all along. Soulmates, twin flames and kindred spirits merely help to remind us of that.
If you would like to learn more about soul mates and twin flames, see our twin flame book.
What is your experience? Have you met a soulmate, twin flame or kindred spirit? How did the experience change your life? I’d love to hear your story below.
Your explanation of Twin Flames is completely WRONG! What ur describing here about Twin Flames is actually another form of Soul Mates more like Karmic Souls and it’s a shame there is so much confusing, misleading misinformation floating out there about this. There can be ONLY ONE set of Twin Flames and although reconnection is RARE, it and can only happen ONCE and usually at the end of the soul’s very last lifetime on this earthly dimension. They reconnect as ONE again for the sole purpose of embarking on a new quest; a spiritual journey and usually that reconnection also progresses towards transcendence back to ONENESS!
I believe in multiple soul mates. For example my soul mother and I’ve given birth to my soul children. I am grateful to be able to acknowledged and enjoy this. Also an ex lover of mine, had a friend that passed away in which his relationship with him so intense they were like brothers, so now we call him his bromate.
I’m asking you to imagine that reality is stranger and more complicated than you or I could possibly know. And sometimes we get glimpses of it, in dreams or in déjà vu. #TheOA needs your help. #SaveTheOA
In July I met my twin flame. He is definitely here to teach me and help me grow within myself but the connection is much deeper then a kindred spirit. The connection to him was instant and strong. I describe it as knowing him for lifetimes, he has never been a stranger to me. It has been intense for me and the love I feel for him is so incredibly pure although I cannot define that love yet, i.e. I don’t know if he will just remain a friend or lover. I just know with all that I am that he is supposed to be here and although I don’t understand how I can love someone I have never met in person I know he is vital to my life. He and I both are dealing with inner struggles and turmoil, we are both on a journey of our own and we help each other everyday. We have both been shaken by the depth of our connection but at this point I am more comfortable with it then he is. He believes it is not possible to meet and feel this deeply for a person you have never met. I just somehow “know” and that amazes him and also makes him uncomfortable at the same time. I found a quote that I sent to him “I fell in love with his soul before I even touched his skin. If that isn’t true love I don’t know what is.” This is my truth and it has shaken me as I am almost 50 years old and have never felt this way about anyone. I have spent many hours trying to understand it but in the end I had to accept it for what it was as no explanation is available. I am an empath. I just know and I have to let it be what it is. I don’t know where this is going to end up as there are many barriers between us as far as age and distance but I cannot turn away from it. I am drawn to him like a moth to a flame. I am just me with him, 100% me. I see all that I am through him, the light and the dark. We balance one another and we have both accepted that. I am currently struggling with a bit of anger and a lot of sadness at this cruel joke the universe has played on me. How can it bring him into my life and make him unattainable? I do feel that this won’t always be so but for now I am asking why.
I appreciate your work. I found the website while looking for ways to find balance as an empath. I felt at home here and I just want you both to know this. Thanks again!
That resonated with me so much it brought tears to my eyes…thank you for sharing your experience.
Hi! I’d like to share what I’m currently going through. A few months ago I met a coworker and it turned out we had mutual friends from high school. He’s six years older than me but we went to the same high school. I wanted to be around him all the time for some reason. We hung out a few times alone and we didn’t even touch once and we felt tingling all over our bodies and we just laid there in ecstasy. We could both feel an intense energy exchange. He seemed to have a crush on me but I had just gotten back together with my ex. It was very confusing being with someone that didn’t understand me like this new person. I just recently broke up with my ex because the situation was causing me so much confusion. A week or so after I broke up with my boyfriend I had sex with this new guy who I assume to be my twin flame and instead of healing like I expected I started feeling more and more weird. I told him we should stay just friends. I’m trying to focus my energy on anything else but it’s really hard. Now I’m thinking about my ex more and dreaming about him and it’s just so confusing and it’s honestly painful being so indecisive and teasing everyone. If anyone has advice it’d be appreciated or if you have any similar stories I’d love to hear them!
Unfortunately sometimes lust takes over. Be with someone that you can express all your desires and needs with. Sexual or not. True love always finds a way home.
Thanks for helping us understand this topic. You have written it in a way that makes it very simple to understand. vuphespuzij7drl4ospo
This stuff has always interested me. I have friends that are soulmates.
I thought I met my soul companion but it didn’t work out…so does that mean that I was wrong and my “soul companion” is still out there? Or that was my one shot and I fucked it up (or he fucked it up, cheater)
Because I would love to have that kind of intimacy, passion and trust again, just with out the destructive behavior.
When you say that soulmates come in and out of our lives at different times for different reasons, does that mean I have another soul companion out there?
And why does it still hurt after many years of being apart? If is was a lesson, I definitely learned what it’s like to be broken.
To be so in love and trust someone that when he cheated on me I was so shocked and hurt that I was physically sick. For years.
I guess I’m hoping some one will come along and fix what he broke.
can anyone offer advice? this article was soo helpful. i just want to share a little of my story and hope someone out there can tell me if this is either a soulmate or twin flame i am so confsued!!
i was 15 when i met him at school. the exact moment we laid eye on eachother for the first time it felt like my energy in my lower chakras just popped alive, and as soon as we made eye contact,
had an intense episode of DEJA VU. ever since then we started talking in class, and we started ¨dating¨ for 2 years since then. i had a dream about him before i met him.
when i met him, i had no idea that the rest of my life after that would be a spiritual epiphany in my dreams with him in them!!! literally!!!
i was not a spiritual person at 15 , but i can swear to this that as soon after i met him, for some reason life started to appear fake to me, like everything we are taught is fake.. there must be more to life theres always a catch. led to my awakening. ever since then, i started getting premonitions of his near future. even when i didnt want to. i never wanted to. i didnt even know i could have those visions so vivid and strong.
but something about his soul his energy alone..when he was near me.. this man didnt even need to talk. his energy did it all , its like he gives me a hug with his energy , and just made me feel so complete and safe… when i meditated this exact thing i just explains happened in my heart chakra.
hes the only person to this day i have been able to get accurate predictions for and visions.as i got to know him physically, i love him very much. he is a very nice soul with morals and humor. after these years of dealing with him and his little old …ahem..EGO… theres something about him that i honestly can not find in anyone else. even if we are not dealing with eachother now.
his birthday is a day after thanksgiving
my birthday is a day after indepence day
he is fire sign, i am water sign.
his mom lost a baby girl after birth.
my mom she lost a baby boy days after being born..
my life path number is 7 , his name letters add up to 7. his life path number is 8 my name letters add up to 8.
have u expirienced anything like this??what was he/she to you? did you guys ever move on?? what do you think this is soulmate, twin?
Ok, I feel like I have to share my thoughts in this topic since a lot of people glorify these connctions but fail to understand why these come with problems and are especially diffucult.
I have met all of the above, a couple kindred spirits and soul friends, a Soul teacher, a soul companion and I believe my twin soul.
Now don’t say I’m lucky. It kind of just shows how fucked up I actually am.
If I would be an average, normal, healthy individual I could simply form friendships ober common interests and in a lot of different situations and they tend to become meaningful over time because we’ve shared many experiences, rather than very deep ones. Or I could form a healthy, long lasting relationship over simply having a crush. And finding compatobility wouldn’t be so difficult.
I have those deep Soul Connections because I’m UNABLE to have normal healthy friend- and relationships.
As much more people get to know me as much more they usually geht away from me. That doesn’t happen with Soulmates.
Soul Friends and Kindred Spirits are a sign that you have just a very different personality and way of thinking and/or acting than the average. This is why you’ll probably have the feeling that someone just finally gets you.
A Soul Teacher stems more from common experiences, wounds, or “bad behavior” (being mean, playing the victim etc.) and they will challange that.
If you don’t accept to heal those problems chances are the realtionship gets toxic and you hurt over and over again. Usually those are relationships that you need to let go of.
Soul companions are like described a combination of both. They usually exist because there is not Just one problem that you have, but rather many and they help you with those. You are probably also very similar people that’s why you expiernce a certain harmony.
They probably have views or traits that help you recognize your problems better somehow and give you stable Support.
A Twin Flame/Twin Soul is probably a sign that you are a totally fucked up individual (and I don’t mean that in a bad was). You are somewhat an extreme that needs a complimentary counterpart to be balanced out. Your light mirrors there dark. Extreme people are usually people that are the important to society. Averages never accomplish as much and never come out in top. Being an extreme also shows that you have somehow a different worldview and perspective to things. This is why you two will have higher mission so to speak.
But it also means that you have deep problems and wounds that can’t simpy be recognized and solved with any of the above.
Why I think this hypothisis is right? Because I’ve never seen normal people in a Twin Flame Union. They all somehow were strong characters. (I actually consider this a good thing).
But all those relationships shouldn’t bei glorified because they often come from a place of pain and brokeness. They are so intense because we as individuals are probably rarely understood so those relationships are much more meaningful. Connctions often come from hard times. I mean Back in the day we needed friends for survival. I guess meaningful connections come from a similar place. They speak to our survival instincts. In the modern day those aren’t needed because we usually don’t Fight die survival and especially friendships become less meaningful.
But here is the thing. Since those connections often stem from personal problems, they can easily become unhealthy. Especially if you don’t take a step and look what you are getting taught and finally evolve from that point. This counts especially for Twin Flames: you are the one that has to transform so stop obsessing over the connection and try to make a change within yourself. Other than this will never work out.
And when it still doesn’t work it was probably a karmic relationship or you are just not meant to be in this life time and you should let go.
Letting go will be an important lesson since often those connections end after the lessons are taught. Connections also fade if you or the other person change to much as individuals.
Enjoy the journey but don’t romanticze it. They come with a lot of struggles.
A million times yes. This is so true. I believe there could be an even deeper bond developed between the twin flames but this is rare. If the transformation was significant enough to reflect back and prompt the other twin’s “descent” and transformation but this takes extreme faith and strength on both sides. There’s often so much pain and damage most don’t take the risk of leaping back. There has to be a long established bond there and maybe even sense of duty/owing it to the other despite all the darkness. Takes a lot of spirit to jump into the abyss…
I met my soulmate 2 years ago.
I was married, he was engaged. For some reason that summer I knew I was not happy in my marriage and something was telling me something was going to change. I was in a very unhappy relationship. As I talked to friend about it I said “I haven’t met that person who has sparked the flame inside me yet, and I’m waiting to meet him yet.” I still don’t know why I said that, I hadn’t read about twin flames and had no idea what it was.
I took my desperation and started venting online, in a app called Whisper. Vented about how unhappy I was and another person did the same. He wrote that his fiancé cheated on him but he still wanted or had to marry her. I told him it wasn’t true, he deserved better and he needed to move on and forget her.
After that we started chatting. In one single day we chatted for hours. About ourselves, our problems, what we wanted. We had an amazing connection through hours or chatting online and exchanging messages. We decided to meet that same night! I know it was the craziest thing, how could I? What if it was a crazy random guy? So we decided to meet at this restaurant. Funny part was that we both had always wanted to go to that restaurant that was announced on the radio so frequently but we never had the chance before until that
We met and at first I didn’t feel anything, he was a cute sweet guy, and shy at first. After getting to know each other more we left the restaurant together and went for a walk in the park. That’s where he kissed me and BOOM! Sparks flew, and that fire inside me burned like never before. I knew this was different and I couldn’t take him off my head. I filed for divorce, and had a very hard time afterward. Like it’s said a twin flame relationship will have to go through a rough patch and if it’s true the other person will just have to endure and wait for the love to
It was really hard to get a divorce but he never left my side. I also healed his wounds, his ex fiancé got married just 3 months after they broke up, she was cheating for a long time it seems.
Later we found out we went to the same high school! He’s in my senior yearbook! He’s 2 years younger than me. After that I told him where I used to work in a nail salon and he said he would do his laundry right next door to my job every weekend! I know we crossed paths in the past without even noticing each other! I know he’s my twin flame… we love and enjoy the same things, and I think about things that he later mentions and it’s funny because I was thinking the same exact thing! I can’t believe we never argue.. these 2 years he’s never been mad at me or even shown anger. We are in this perfect relationship that I never imagined I could be in. I feel like our life is like a movie, and our twin flames are real. I wish I could explain to people what it’s like and if I could share my story I would, I know every one could judge me a whore for leaving my husband for someone I had barely For confusing this love for something else. Twin flames are real…..and it’s destiny who puts them at the exact place and moment for them to meet. If I would have him at school I know I wouldn’t had liked that immature boy, or if I had met him while working at the nail salon it wouldn’t had worked because he was already in a good relationship. We met on a time that we both needed each other…. and it was perfect.
I lost my soulmate to cancer last year. It has been for me to face a single day with out him, but am learning to take one day at a time. I still cry over my loss, but am comforted in learning what real love is. This was the lesson he taught me. I will never marry again but now know what it means to be truly loved, without selfish motivations, and constant fear or hurt.
I met a guy when I was 15 at the beach & we had a instant connection. I am 37 now. We kept in contact with each other for years after that. We recently connected again on FB.He still has my pictures and letters from back then. It’s like our minds & souls are drawn to each other. I would like to know more about this.
What does it mean when someone says twin flame soulmate?