Are Soulmates Real?

No one ever asks, “Are soulmates real?” just because they think it’s an interesting question. There’s always more to it than that. It’s like when your 5-year-old son or daughter asks, “Are monsters real?” They’re not just asking you this because they’re fascinated by the topic of monsters in general. Most likely, they’re asking you whether monsters are real because they think they may have just seen one. 

No one ever asks, 'Are soulmates real?' just because they think it’s an interesting question. There’s always more to it than that.

Most people yearn to find their soulmate, and they assume they'll be happy once they do. But as writer Elizabeth Gilbert notes in her best-selling book, Eat Pray Love, "A soul mate’s purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in."

In other words, if you’re hoping to find your soulmate, be careful what you wish for.

Why Do Soulmates So Often Cause Us Pain?

But what is it that makes you, dear listener, interested in the question of soulmates right now?

Maybe you’ve fallen in love with someone who you think might be your soulmate and you’re finding the relationship harder than you expected. Or maybe you’ve found your soulmate, but they’re married to someone else. Or maybe it just didn’t work out. And now you’re left trying to make sense of it all. Because why would this have happened if the two of you were really soulmates?  

Elizabeth Gilbert also wrote: "A true soul mate is probably the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful." But hey, maybe that’s just Elizabeth Gilbert. Maybe other people’s experiences will be more positive.

Let’s say you decide to google the question, “Are soulmates real?” What are you likely to find? 

What We Know About Soulmates

First, you’ll find a lot of speculation about whether soulmates are even possible. In order to believe in soulmates, you first need to believe in souls. That's something science can't prove or disprove. But according to one recent study, two-thirds of Americans do believe in soulmates. For women who are currently in committed relationships, it’s even higher—82 percent. I assume this means they believe certain people in our lives were put there for a particular purpose...

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