From soulmates to twin flames, we can have several deep connections with different people in our lives. One of those connections? Soul ties.
While some soul ties can be incredibly supportive and joyful, it’s also possible for these deep connections to turn toxic. Here’s how to spot the difference, plus how to break a soul tie when you need to, according to experts.
WhatIsASoulTie?
A soul tie is simply a feeling that someone is meant to be in your life, and we can have soul ties with friends, lovers, family, and more. As therapist DeAndrea Blaylock-Solar, LCSW, CST, says, it’s “a connection to someone that’s deeply embedded in your soul.”
Of course, there’s no scientific evidence for soul ties, but if you’ve ever felt an inexplicable attraction to someone, you probably don’t need proof beyond that.
According to Tanya Carroll Richardson, a professional intuitive expert and author of Self-Care for Empaths, a soul connection can refer to any type of spiritual connection between two people. “You may have known each other in a past life, you may be from the same soul family, or you may simply have a spiritual contract to meet in this life and have some sort of relationship or experience together,” she says.
In some New Age Christian traditions, soul connections are thought to be the result of sex (although soul connections are not mentioned anywhere in the Bible, and the idea didn’t emerge until the New Age movement of the 1970s and ’80s).
“Soul connections are often thought to happen after you’ve had sex with someone,” explains Blaylock-Solar, adding that this perpetuates the idea that if you have sex outside of marriage, you’ll be connected or “bound” to that person.
Related : 15 Toxic Traits To Watch For In Relationships, From Psychologists
She goes on to say that this idea is just a connection in disguise and an “over-spiritualization of the normal feelings [of connection] that can occur when you have sex.”
Types of Spiritual Connections
According to Richardson, despite what some may say, spiritual connections are not always romantic. You may have spiritual connections with friends, family members, coworkers, business partners, and even your beloved pets. All we are talking about in spiritual connections is an inner knowing that someone is meant to cross your path.
For example, if your life is busy but you meet a potential new friend or business partner, “feeling spiritually connected to that person may inspire you to make room in your life for the relationship,” Richardson explains.
As another example, you may not be in the market for a pet but a friend says they need to give up their pet because they have to move abroad unexpectedly, and your gut tells you that you have a spiritual connection to that animal and that they’re meant to be with you, Richardson notes.
7 Signs You’re Spiritually Connected to Someone
- You Feel Connected on a Deeper Level
Having a spiritual connection means you’re connected on a deeper level, at the soul level, Richardson tells mindbodygreen . “While we’re all connected, a spiritual connection is something special, though common.” Feeling a deep sense of connection to someone is one sign that you might be experiencing a spiritual connection.
- They Elicit Strong Reactions from You
There’s a level of intensity to soul bonds, and while they don’t all look the same, you can be sure that everything will be amplified—both the good and the bad. “You may feel instantly comfortable with someone or you may feel very curious or intrigued by someone,” Richardson says, adding, “Look for a strong or noticeably different reaction than usual.”
- They Feel Familiar
In addition to having strong reactions to them, this person likely feels familiar with you. As Richardson notes, “You may have a sense that you’ve known them somewhere before or, even if they’ve only been in your life for a short time, you feel as though they’ve always been there.”
- They May Feel Like They “Complete You”
Sometimes, especially when a soul bond activates an attachment wound, Blaylock-Solar explains that you may feel like this person completes you. This is especially true in the case of romantic soul bond relationships. This is when soul bonds veer into toxic territory—which we’ll talk about in more detail soon.
- You feel like your relationship is unique or like no other
Richardson notes that often when it comes to soul connections, they’re unique and offer an element of novelty. “Look for feelings and experiences you haven’t had before,” she says, like not feeling that much sexual passion with another person, for example, or even doing something entirely new together, like starting a new business or venture.
- They showed up at a significant time
“Soul connections can show up at pivotal times in your life,” Richardson explains. Maybe this person showed up at a moment when you needed “help or healing or an experience that they could provide,” she adds. Ask yourself what was going on in your life when you first met and what they had to offer.
- You Feel Like a Part of You Is Missing If They’re Not in Your Life
Finally, as Blaylock-Solar says, feeling a soul connection with someone can often become painful if things go wrong, as soul connections—like any relationship—can create attachment wounds. “Oftentimes, people can feel broken, like a part of them is missing because they’re no longer connected to that person,” she says.
Soul Bond vs. Twin Flame
Soul bonds and twin flames are two types of soul connections, but they’re not the same thing.
Twin flame refers to the idea that a soul can split in half, resulting in two people who have a strong soul connection or who believe they’re each other’s “other half.”
Soul bond is a broader term and can refer to any strong soul or spiritual connection. So in that sense, a twin flame can be considered one type of soul connection, but a soul bond is not necessarily a twin flame connection.
Can Spiritual Connections Be Unhealthy or Toxic?
Not unlike the toxic twin flame scenario, spiritual connections can become toxic and one-sided. That’s certainly not to say that they always are, but as Blaylock-Solar explains, feeling like someone can “complete you,” or that you’re somehow broken without them, are signs of attachment.
“People look to their partners to complete them, and they get lost in their role as a partner in the relationship and lose their individuality,” she explains.
Blaylock-Solar adds that sometimes, one person may be more attached or feel more connected than the other. “So really understanding your attachment style can be helpful so that you can better advocate for yourself and what you want and need in your relationship,” she advises.
As Richardson notes, you should never stay in an unhealthy situation just because you feel like you have a spiritual connection with someone.
“Many relationships and situations in life are not meant to last forever and have a natural expiration date,” she explains. “If you feel like you have a strong soul connection with someone but they still don’t want to date you or do business with you, etc., respect their free will and wisdom.”
How to Break a Soul Tie
If you’ve gotten this far and you’re fairly certain you have a soul connection that needs to be broken, what do you do?
First, Blaylock-Solar stresses the importance of knowing that you’re whole and complete on your own. “In the Christian tradition specifically, there’s this idea that when people get married, they become one. Even if you believe in that belief,” she says, “think of it as 1 + 1 = 1, not ½ + ½ = 1.”
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Love
Soul Ties: What They Are, Signs to Watch Out for + How to Break Them
Sarah Regan
Spirituality & Relationships Editor at mbg
By Sarah Regan
Spirituality & Relationships Editor at mbg
Sarah Regan is a Spirituality & Relationships Editor and a Registered Yoga Teacher. She earned her BA in Broadcasting and Mass Communication from SUNY Oswego and lives in Buffalo, New York.
What is a Soul Tie?
Types of Soul Ties
Signs of a Soul Tie
Soul Ties vs. Twin Flames
Toxic Soul Ties
How to Break a Soul Tie
FAQs
Summary
January 25, 2024
We carefully vet all products and services offered using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by commissions earned from our links.
From soulmates to twin flames, we can have several deep connections with different people in our lives. One of those connections? Soul Ties.
Related : Think You’re In A Toxic Relationship? Here Are The Signs To Look For + What To Do
While some soul connections can be incredibly supportive and joyful, it’s also possible for these deep connections to turn toxic. Here’s how to spot the difference, plus how to break a soul connection when you need to, according to experts.
What is a soul connection?
A soul connection is simply a feeling that someone is meant to be in your life, and we can have soul connections with friends, lovers, family, and more. As therapist DeAndrea Blaylock-Solar, LCSW, CST, says, it’s “a connection to someone that’s deeply embedded in your soul.”
What is meditation?
Learn what meditation is from Leight Watkins, and dive deeper with classes.
Of course, there’s no scientific evidence for soul connections, but if you’ve ever felt an inexplicable attraction to someone, you probably don’t need proof beyond that.
According to Tanya Carroll Richardson, a professional intuitive writer and author of Self-Care for Empaths, soul connections can refer to any type of soul connection between two people. “Perhaps you knew each other in a past life, are from the same soul family, or simply have a soul contract to meet in this life and have some kind of relationship or experience together,” she says.
- You Feel Like a Part of You Is Missing If They’re Not in Your Life
Finally, as Blaylock-Solar says, feeling a soul connection with someone can often become painful if things go wrong, as soul connections—like any relationship—can create attachment wounds. “Oftentimes, people can feel broken, like a part of them is missing because they’re no longer connected to that person,” she says.
Soul Bond vs. Twin Flame
Soul bonds and twin flames are two types of soul connections, but they’re not the same thing.
Twin flame refers to the idea that a soul can split in half, resulting in two people who have a strong soul connection or who believe they’re each other’s “other half.”
Soul bond is a broader term and can refer to any strong soul or spiritual connection. So in that sense, a twin flame can be considered one type of soul connection, but a soul bond is not necessarily a twin flame connection.
Can Spiritual Connections Be Unhealthy or Toxic?
Not unlike the toxic twin flame scenario, spiritual connections can become toxic and one-sided. That’s certainly not to say that they always are, but as Blaylock-Solar explains, feeling like someone can “complete you,” or that you’re somehow broken without them, are signs of attachment.
“People look to their partners to complete them, and they get lost in their role as a partner in the relationship and lose their individuality,” she explains.
Blaylock-Solar adds that sometimes, one person may be more attached or feel more connected than the other. “So really understanding your attachment style can be helpful so that you can better advocate for yourself and what you want and need in your relationship,” she advises.
As Richardson notes, you should never stay in an unhealthy situation just because you feel like you have a spiritual connection with someone.
“Many relationships and situations in life are not meant to last forever and have a natural expiration date,” she explains. “If you feel like you have a strong soul connection with someone but they still don’t want to date you or do business with you, etc., respect their free will and wisdom.”
How to Break a Soul Tie
If you’ve gotten this far and you’re fairly certain you have a soul connection that needs to be broken, what do you do?
First, Blaylock-Solar stresses the importance of knowing that you’re whole and complete on your own. “In the Christian tradition specifically, there’s this idea that when people get married, they become one. Even if you believe in that belief,” she says, “think of it as 1 + 1 = 1, not ½ + ½ = 1.”
Advertisement
This ad is served using third-party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Love
Soul Ties: What They Are, Signs to Watch Out for + How to Break Them
Sarah Regan
Spirituality & Relationships Editor at mbg
By Sarah Regan
Spirituality & Relationships Editor at mbg
Sarah Regan is a Spirituality & Relationships Editor and a Registered Yoga Teacher. She earned her BA in Broadcasting and Mass Communication from SUNY Oswego and lives in Buffalo, New York.
What is a Soul Tie?
Types of Soul Ties
Signs of a Soul Tie
Soul Ties vs. Twin Flames
Toxic Soul Ties
How to Break a Soul Tie
FAQs
Summary
January 25, 2024
We carefully vet all products and services offered using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by commissions earned from our links.
From soulmates to twin flames, we can have several deep connections with different people in our lives. One of those connections? Soul Ties.
While some soul connections can be incredibly supportive and joyful, it’s also possible for these deep connections to turn toxic. Here’s how to spot the difference, plus how to break a soul connection when you need to, according to experts.
What is a soul connection?
A soul connection is simply a feeling that someone is meant to be in your life, and we can have soul connections with friends, lovers, family, and more. As therapist DeAndrea Blaylock-Solar, LCSW, CST, says, it’s “a connection to someone that’s deeply embedded in your soul.”
What is meditation?
Learn what meditation is from Leight Watkins, and dive deeper with classes.
Of course, there’s no scientific evidence for soul connections, but if you’ve ever felt an inexplicable attraction to someone, you probably don’t need proof beyond that.
According to Tanya Carroll Richardson, a professional intuitive writer and author of Self-Care for Empaths, soul connections can refer to any type of soul connection between two people. “Perhaps you knew each other in a past life, are from the same soul family, or simply have a soul contract to meet in this life and have some kind of relationship or experience together,” she says.
Rituals to Break Soul Ties:
For a simple ritual that helps release people with love—and that you can do without even talking to them—Richardson offers this practice:
Sit in meditation.
Invite any angels or spirit guides to be with you as well.
Tell the person’s soul that you wish them well and all the best in life, but that you simply don’t want to be in a relationship with them anymore. (The person’s physical ears won’t hear this release, but their soul definitely will!)
Conclusion
Soul ties are one of the many types of relationships we can have throughout our lives, and they’re not uncommon. They’re not always a bad thing, though they’re often marked by unhealthy attachment.
Two people can have a soul tie and have a strong, healthy relationship. But if it’s bordering on toxicity and you think you need to walk away, Richardson says, “Remember that sometimes you have to let go of the old to show the universe that there’s room for the new.”
