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.
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.
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.
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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.
Oh My, that is beautiful and described so eloquently and true… The energy has been transmitted into the universe and somewhere a woman is gravitating towards you and when you cross paths, it will be intense with the familiar intensity you dream of but real.. Dreams prepare us so when it time you will know.
I look forward to hearing a update of dreams do come true…
I have had vivid dreams in which I meet a woman whom I somehow know and somehow love deeply. And she me. And its perfectly natural. Like I have know her all my life. So there’s this unspoken recognition. It is not erotic. Its just an encounter. This has happened half a dozen times in the last 10 years or so. The woman is different each time but the love is the same each time. When I wake up, I can still feel the powerful emotion, and I can’t believe that it is just a dream. The pain I feel is so great that I actually grieve, I feel like weeping! This love transcends anything I have ever experienced during my waking life. What does this mean? Why does it happen?
I have found your writings to be very profound and enlightening.
I tend to be the one who catalyzes the spiritual work for both my partner AND myself. As though I am their twin flame but they are more like a soul date to me. I know I feel like an ancient soul but they are an old soul as well. So why would I be the one triggering most of our spiritual growth and experiences.
*soulmate
I agree with Luna, maybe the questions need to be directed more inwardly. Love of course starts from within. That’s where it begins, and that’s where it’s fueled and shaped. Maybe catalyzing just means that there is space, or maybe a vacuum you are trying to fill, and in doing so, preventing your partner from fulfilling their role. I say this with extreme caution and with the intention of understanding my own view of love. Thank you for sharing and thank you Luna for providing this space.
I can’t speak for your relationship, but perhaps it would be worth considering what ‘catalyzing spiritual growth’ actually means to you. Do you mean actively encouraging them to spiritually evolve? Or providing positive changes? Spiritual growth comes in many sizes, shapes, and forms, some uncomfortable and painful. It would be worth journaling about this and having an open conversation with your partner if it still bothers you. ♡
My twinflame is gone. I met him and ended up hurting each other. My life have gone downhill ever since. And yes this is truly my twinflame. He chased me. Regardless of that everytime I let him go. For some reason he either shows up in my dreams or a situation reconnect us. I have let him go. I only have unconditional love. I am taking care of myself and getting back into health.
Why does some situation or dream keep bringing him back? I keep seeing 11 111111 111 222 44 etc.. Or any number with 11 ending. I keep waking up in the 3 o clock or 4 o clock hour. This is the same experience I had years ago right before I met him. That was years ago. When we both force ourselves to not talk to each other but the universe have a different plan. Example. One time I said I will not see him again unless spirit intervenes. Then sure enough when I parked to pick up my daughter, he was right behind my car. (He was my daughters elementary teacher) We have almost 10 years of communication through email. Why cant everything just go away? Why?
I really wanted to share one particular experience/relationship here as I am still searching for answers. I hope you won’t judge me too harshly.
I was abused by my patents throughout my childhood. I spoke up when I was 16 which then involved Social Services and authorities. It’s a very long story but suffice to say that I was a mess trying to put myself back together when I met my first love.
We met on a night out at a club when I was about 19. The spark was instantaneous! Even as I type this and reminisce, I can feel the electricity in my veins. We dated for a short while and I was blissfully happy. Like I said before, however, I was in a very messy place in my head, heart and spirit. I didn’t recognise love when it came. He even told me he loved me but I had a wall of numbness when it came to deep feelings, yet our chemistry was amazing. I didn’t realise I had also fallen in love with him.
I don’t know what prompted me to do this, and I will regret this always, but we went out to the club and before I knew it, I went up and kissed some stranger in front of him. I do not know what happened but it broke everything. I broke his heart. And I broke mine too. We tried again with a relationship, but a fear ripped through me that he would eventually dump me, so I did the same thing again.
It’s so hard to explain that I am solely responsible for my actions yet I cannot explain the lack of conscious awareness I experienced during those moments… it felt like an out of body experience.
Fast forward to 2018 and I’m 38. I’d not long watched my brother-in-law die from cancer afyer 2 weeks of being his sole bedside vigil. I was looking towards spirituality as a way of coping. I decided that I wanted to apologise to those who I’d hurt in the past. I was able to do so with a few friends. One night, I had an intense dream involving my (now ex) first love. I woke up with a deep and strong feelimg that I had to apologise to him.
I found him on Instagram and messaged him. Our chemistry was back, as if preserved for all these years. I wasn’t expecting him to be so nice and the butterflies I thought had died were just merely hibernating because they woke up inside me. Despite the fact that both of us were married to other people, we messaged each other. One evening, he’d had a few beers and messaged me about reminiscing our time together… we sent each other songs that we used to dance to. I sent him one song which had been particularly prevalent to me during that time and I sent it to him to see if he got the connection, and he did.
It got to the point where I couldn’t hold back my feelimgs any longer; I wasn’t in love with him per se but, the affection and romance was strong enough to make me confess my feelings to him. It started a very rocky path; I tried to withdraw but regretted it a day later so tried to keep the friendship… it didn’t work… long story short; communication was on and off with him saying that he had to stop as it was affecting him personally; I presume that feelings had been rekindled in him as well as in me. It eventually got difficult and he blocked me on everything. That remains the case now. I miss him so much; I wish that I hadn’t done what I did all those years ago. Maybe we would still be together but maybe not. All I know is that our love wasn’t given the chance to flourish which is nobody’s fault except my own. I’d give anything to go back and change things. My affection for him will always last. I don’t know which kind of soul relationship he is for me in this lifetime. I just hope that we meet in the afterlife and xan try all over again in another life. I miss him so much.
Thank you for your vulnerability Sam ♡ And we all do things that we’re shocked by (driven by the wounded inner child and shadow self). Who knows what the future has in store?