Funny. I have no trouble attaching meaning to the word "soul". But my conception has nothing to do with any metaphysical essence which exists apart from our bodies. I think of soul as that which is most inextricably oneself. It is that which one is, not what one chooses. Or if you must think of it as what you choose, it is that which you can't help but choose. It is what is essential to who you are, whatever it may be that has made you that. Your true identity.
But "soul mate" I can't reconcile. "Soul tribe" perhaps. I don't believe there is one and only one person or even one best person for each one of us. There are many people with whom I could be sympatico but no two of them need be identical. And I would probably be and become somewhat different with anyone of them. Not that I would become something else, but that different potentialities may be triggered.
I've also come to value people who are different than me in important ways because they make me challenge assumptions I've never questioned. My wife of 30 years is different than me in plenty of ways though there is much on what we agree too including politics and art. Fortunately we have comparable need for solitude and intimacy which I find extremely important. Neither one of us would say that there is just one "soul mate" out there for each one of us and when one of us dies, the one who survives will probably find their way into another relationship because that is the way we both like to live.
But "soul mate" I can't reconcile. "Soul tribe" perhaps. I don't believe there is one and only one person or even one best person for each one of us. There are many people with whom I could be sympatico but no two of them need be identical. And I would probably be and become somewhat different with anyone of them. Not that I would become something else, but that different potentialities may be triggered.
I've also come to value people who are different than me in important ways because they make me challenge assumptions I've never questioned. My wife of 30 years is different than me in plenty of ways though there is much on what we agree too including politics and art. Fortunately we have comparable need for solitude and intimacy which I find extremely important. Neither one of us would say that there is just one "soul mate" out there for each one of us and when one of us dies, the one who survives will probably find their way into another relationship because that is the way we both like to live.
