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!
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.
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.
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?