A couple weeks ago, my boyfriend was telling me about a dream he’d had the night before. As I was listening to him tell me what was going on, I was somehow able to fill in the next sentences, parts, places, people, and events correctly. We stared at each other in a disbelief—did we share the same dream that night, and if so, did that mean we were so connected that in a dreamlike state we were united in an unconscious state of consciousness and share the same dream? It was surreal when we laid it all out on paper; it almost seemed impossible, and yet we did have the same exact dream.
That got me thinking about what it means to truly be connected with someone else in this life. Growing up, the idea of finding that perfect someone to complete you—your soul mate—was romanticized in rom-coms, romance movies and novels, and even some Disney movies. Although real life isn’t any of those things, average, everyday people still look for and want that special someone to share their lives with. Because the idea of a soul mate isn’t just the stuff of fictional movies and novels, it’s something that can happen to all of us if we’re open to it.
The term “soul mate” was something we all grew up knowing and hearing, but the term “twin flame” isn’t something I’ve heard used very often until recently, despite the fact that the term “twin flame” dates all the way back to the Greek philosopher Pluto. It seems as more and more people are opening up to a journey of self-discovery, higher consciousness, and being more in tune with the energy of the universe, the use of the terms “soul mate” and “twin flame” come up more often now in regular conversation than ever before. Although both terms refer to connection to another in life, they are not one in the same.
But WTF is the difference between a soul mate and twin flame? I’ve broken it down below. Use this guide to help you better determine if you’ve found your soul mate, many soul mates, or your twin flame.
Soul mate vs twin flame: WTF is the difference?
Soul mates:
“A soul mate is a person with whom one has a feeling of deep or natural affinity. This may involve similarity, love, romance, platonic relationships, comfort, intimacy, sexuality, sexual activity, spirituality, compatibility and trust.”
Soul mates share a very deep connection that isn’t needy or forced. Quite simply, it’s when two people just click. When you’re with your soul mate things are easy; and you can freely be yourself around them without judgment, and vice versa. A lot of people will often refer to their soul mate as “the yin to their yang” or “the missing piece of their puzzle.” Soul mates have the ability to calm each other and sense each other’s innermost thoughts and feelings. People who are in sync like this often experience “telepathy”—a.k.a communicatIon on a non-verbal level—they’ll say things at the same time, finish each other’s sentences, etc. They’re your fellow traveler in life, and can help teach you things, challenge you, and help you grow and evolve. A soul mate doesn’t necessarily mean they’re your forever person, though; sometimes soul mates will come and go at certain points in your life in to teach and help you when needed. That’s not to say that a soul mate can’t be your forever person, though it is possible to have many different soul mates at different points in your life.
Additionally, not all of your soul mates have to be romantic; a soul mate can be found in a strictly platonic relationship. I have a friend who I’ve known since we were both 1 years old, and though we grew apart as we got into our early 20’s, we’ve reconnected again recently and it’s as if no time has gone by. She actually said to me: “I love when we get together, we’ve always clicked. We’re able to pick up right where we left off as if no time has passed.” I think this a sign that she’s one of my soul mates; we just get each other, and our relationship isn’t romantic at all. I also believe that my boyfriend is another one of my soul mates, and that we’re also each other’s forever person. The first time we met there was an instant mutual attraction and undeniable chemistry; when we started dating 2 years after our first encounter, the connection was instant. We were both able to open up to each other in ways we never did before with anyone else, and our bond was strongly solidified so quickly that people had assumed we’d been together for years when it’d only been months. Our connection was deep, instant, and easy. Over the years, through the many triumphs and challenges, we’ve been able to help each other, teach each other, and grow.
Twin flames:
“A twin flame is your own soul, shared across what appears to be two physical beings. It’s one soul split into two bodies.”
Twin flames have an incredibly intense soul connection. Most people describe their twin flame as mirror-like. Basically, when someone is with their twin flame, their own selves are reflected back at them—all of their doubts, insecurities, secrets, etc. are revealed. It is because of this that twin flames often have tumultuous, on-again, off-again relationships because the connection and relationship is so intense and challenging. It can be difficult to look at someone else and see your own worst fears and things you don’t want to deal with are reflected back at you. Similar to soul mates, twin flames help each other lead them to their true selves through spiritual growth and awakening.
When someone meets their twin flame, there’s an instant recognition that occurs; you’ll know immediately if you’ve found yours. There’s an intense, magnetic pull between twin flames that will cause an attraction between two people. This doesn’t necessarily mean a romantic attaction, but more in the way light attracts moths. The bond between twin flames is also solidified immediately. Like soul mates, twin flames don’t always have to romantic in nature, though they can be.
Unlike soul mates, though, you can only have one twin flame in your lifetime, as it’s a connection that can’t be shared. The connection between twin flames is often powerful, overwhelming, and intense as the purpose of a twin flame is to challenge you to reach your full potential spiritually and your truest self. It’s because of this that twin flame relationships are often volatile in nature as they can be incredibly challenging and revealing.
WTF is the difference?
Soul mates have deep connection that is shared between each other; they are intertwined and connected for life. Twin flames are two halves of the same whole. While soul mates share and hold that deep and special connection between one another, they are separate, whereas the twin flames are each other—the twin flame is you. Both soul mates and twin flames are designed to teach us things and help us grow, but you can have many soul mates and only one twin flame. Soul mates often have a more easygoing relationship, while twin flames may have a more volatile one. As cheesy as it sounds, when I think of the word twin flame, I literally picture a flame; which, to me, symbolizes a strong and burning relationship that may be worth it in the end, but incredibly painful and dangerous to walk through. When I think of the term soul mate, I imagine two hands intertwined; fingers linked, holding onto that connection and spreading it into one another.
