Photo by: Cameron Gray
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 evolve 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!
Kindred Spirits
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 land form.
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 “soulfriend” connections).
Soulmates
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. Sol narrows them down in this article, but 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.
Twin Flames
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.
Twin flames are our mirrors. They reflect back to us our every strength, insecurity, weakness and shadow element. The purpose of the twin flame relationship is to help us undergo soulwork 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 twins 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.
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.
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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.
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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.
So I was curious, I’m currently going through a separation. This ride feels like a swing boat between hope and despair! It is very painful and challenging to accept. I know the right thing is to let go, but I’m finding it extremely hard to do. For some reason to me letting go of someone means giving up on them, and burning the bridge. And I just want to love him even if it means not being in touch for a while. Until (I am hoping) we are ready for each other. What exactly is meant by letting go? Surely it is not to stop loving them!? How can one let go, without giving up on the person, but still loving them, and not have anxious feelings towards the separation and the future? Basically end this swing boat ride…
Thank you for you article of clarity and heart. My twin flame and I keep meeting and rejecting each other and each time we meet again our love deepens. His fear becomes more explosive and I fear he will ultimately run for good, just as we near stage 7. How do I stop the anxiety of trying to keep hold ‘us’ and ‘him?’
I’m not even going to pretend I know if I have or have not met or crossed energy with any of ,y twins, being a Gemini born under the Twin sign, I can adapt to ANYONE , and take up their expressions and voice pattern and reactions…idk if all Gemini have this trait , but personally I believe it’s just Me searching for where I belong. Anyways my question to you is this, Do you interpret dreams ? At all? I was physically attacked on an astral plane that is unusual, and I’m wondering what is happening, after I was toyed with by the she demon and won my battle with her, I was then paralyzed by Succubose and molested unable to move or cry out, and I didn’t “WAKE UP” I simply returned to my body and knew it was real. I’m not a wanna be that pretends to know the answers like a lot of these posters are, but I am a believer that is open to knowledge. I don’t want you attacked by 1000 ppl wanting dream interpretations, so if you are interested at all in giving me your view point please just e mail me or in or me @ klittke74@hotmail.com…Thanks for reading and May you have a Blessed New Year full of Love Light and wonder
Mine is the exact same! We have been thru hell together and him behind bars die to his range towards me. We are no longer together..I’m,waiting for him to be free of his gf. I feel the loss of not being with him. Its like my soul is cut in half.
Can spiritual growth happen after your twin soul leaves? As in they aren’t with you physically because of distance?
I know I met my twin.. the minute I heard his voice. I couldn’t see him yet I just knew I was in trouble.. in a good way.. :) and the journey was life changing…he was 9 yrs older than me .. and we couldn’t be together.. However in a short period of 6 months he suddenly crossed over… Yet his spirit is always with me ..I know if I had not met him. I would not have overcome my obstacles and evolved.. but in July I met another man. This time 12 yrs younger than me.we met a few days before his birthday.. and shortly before mine.. I’m having the same kind of experiences.. but this time the tables are turned.. I’m evolved .. and though he is .. he has his issues.. he is still overcoming them.. I’m not sure what this is.. the connection is so psychic and physical without us being together physically…
What is this.. he is still teaching me some things and I am teaching him.. We are opposites yet believe in the path.. we are not even from the same religion..
I trust that this has its place.. but I wonder what it is. I love him unconditionally.. I’ve felt us merge.. does it really need a name.. can you have two twins.. does it matter.even..because like you said.. the journey is about wholeness.. and I know that I have achieved that.. Would love to hear your thoughts .. and thank you for your amazing work..
Oneness – a beautiful word. At first, relationships allow a little glimpse into this experience. As one evolves, the experience grows gradually. As stated at the beginning, labeling different kinds of experience might be helpful at some point but there comes the time to shift one’s perception’s main focus from interpersonal (and intrapersonal) entanglement and see all the experience as it is, as a whole.
Is there usually an age at which twin flames meet? I’m 17 and I dreamt of my twin flame who is incarnated here with me and is very close to where I live, but I always see how people say usually you won’t meet or be together until later on in life. I’m not sure if that’s the case with me as since I dreamt of her I went through my dark night of the soul and now am being told that my new life is starting and that she will be part of it. I’m not sure whether it’s true or not but maybe the fact that we are both old souls makes it different?
My understanding is that no, there isn’t any specific age in which twin flames meet. Although there are signs: the dark night of the soul being THE major sign above any others.
hello
what is exactly the dark night of the soul?
thx for your reply
i m from Paris and i love your work.
bye
I was listening to people saying some of these definitions, but I didn’t understand what they really meant.
Now I understand better. But in the end, what truly differentiates a soulmate partnership with a twin flame?
I mean, a soulmate relationship could have all the deepness and characteristics of a twin flame relationship. It’s a little blurry.
I have my own impressions about these soulful partnerships but it’s very difficult to put it in words. Perhaps I tend to explain it in a different way all together, and I’m trying to see the compatibilities :s.
It’s normal to have differing definitions, and I don’t claim my perception to be the truth, just one of many possibilities. :) To me the biggest difference between twin flame and soulmate relationships is the purpose of them. Soulmate relationships are primarily comfortable and supportive (hence soul+mate). On the other hand, twin flame relationships are extremely turbulent, transformative and challenging. Soulmate relationships bring out the best in you, but twin flame relationships bring out the best AND worst in you. I hope that brings better clarity. ;)
Thanks for the clarification! I had understood differently and now I understand you well.
But I’m more confused than before xD
Is difficult to explain in that way what I’ve experienced. I would like to dilucidate my case but is difficult to do it in a public space, I could explain more in private.
And I like this article and the specific definition of the different connections. Is the better I read for now and I feel the same in all the others cases. :)
Yay answers. I feel as thought the man I love is my twin flame. Even though we’ve been through hell absolute hell he’s been through extreme pain so have I but he’s ended up behind bars because of anger toward me and I never retaliate because I love him and I know he does too. But having drugs doesn’t help either. Goodness we are both such smart beings and know what to do. But his anger oh my goodness. It hurts to see him end up that way. He’s abusive but because he was fed up with seeing me suffer he wanted to see me succeed and had enough of the pain I was feeling so he needed to attack me to wake me up. It might not make sense. But it kind of does. Because maybe some people don’t realize and wake up until something dramatic happens. Aaaahhhhhhh I love this man so much despite his anger outburst and I’ve taken marijuana it happens people try it but I think he must of wanted to wake me the hell up and knock my head out so I could see. As in shake up my soul you know. I love this man. People make mistakes people have outburst and anger happens. But he brings out the best and worst in me and I do the same for him. He’s just grew up with violence too. Oh my I love this man I wanna be there for him forever. It’s hard when you know something in your heart and soul is okay. I just wish he could see eyes opened up more. I feel as if he is my twin flame we both do the same to one another. Best and worst. But why is he behind bars when I’m not perfect either
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails”
And a true love like that, is oh so very, incredibly rare.
Love never fails..when so easily unfollowed, cast aside, Eagle, the only conclusion which remains, is that it was only true from one side.
The casting be done by a sharing of none, careless removal of something precious, reluctantly shared, a deep soul desire, painfully bared.