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Soul Recognition

Ailish

Administrator Emerita
We all have people in our lives, directly or indirectly, with whom we connect. We may find ourselves liking someone instantly and without reservation. We may even move into a close friendship or relationship with someone. But, does this mean there's a past life or soul connection between these individuals? In short, the answer is no.

Imo, it's possible just to like someone for who they are, and to enjoy their company.

In my life, I've had many people (who are aware of my belief in reincarnation) claim to have known me in a past life. For the most part, their recognition is one-sided. I believe that true soul recognition is something that happens for both parties involved, not just one. It is a connection that is weaved from shared past experiences...and from love. Love endures.

In his book "Only Love Is Real," Brian Weiss beautifully describes a soul recognition:
“The touch that awakens may be that of your child, of a parent, of a sibling, or of a true friend. Or it may be your beloved, reaching across the centuries, to kiss you once again and to remind you that you are together always, to the end of time.”

Dr. Weiss goes on to say, “Soul recognition often takes the form of a sudden feeling of familiarity, of knowing a new person at depths far beyond what the conscious mind could know. You may intuitively know what to say or how they will react, which creates a feeling of safety and a trust far greater than could be earned in a short period of time. Soul recognition may be immediate, or subtle and slow. Not everyone is ready to see or remember the person right away. Divine timing is at work.”
The last two sentences, I think, are probably applicable to most people. However, for me, it is an instant knowing and a profound physical reaction to the person's energy signature. I find it really very simple to identify those I've been with in a past life. I know instantly - and there's no "maybe" on the list....it's a distinct yes or no. I tried explaining it to a friend who didn't understand how I could know if someone had been in my lives or not - without a past life memory of them.

For me - a past life memory is a bonus, but it's not a way of identifying if I've known the person before. This type of recognition comes on a soul level and there is a "chemistry" between us - a special unspoken dynamic. Everything in the Universe is made up of energy. That energy vibrates at different levels. Souls, like everything else, resonate at a certain frequency or vibration.

I completely trust my recognition - it's an ability my mom and grandma have as well ;) What I experience is a deep resonance, a vibration and an intuitive knowing between myself and the other person - and it is an awareness of the heart. At times, I can both see and sense a cord of Light between myself an the other person. Neither of us need a lot of words, for soul recognition transcends verbal description. For me, it's also a very visceral reaction - I feel the resonance inside my physical body. I feel it in my solar plexus; my entire body hums and vibrates. I feel electrified from the inside out. If you haven't experienced this yet, you'll definitely know when it's happening to you!

Brian Weiss uses a very good analogy to understand how we relate to one another at the soul level:

"I like to think of soul relationships as similar to a large tree with a thousand leaves on it. Those leaves that are on your twig are intimately close to you. You may even share experiences, soul experiences, among yourselves. There may be three or four or five leaves on your twig. You are also highly and closely related to the leaves on the branch next to yours. They share a common limb. They are close to you, but not as close as the leaves on your own twig. Similarly, as you extend father out along the tree, you are still related to these other leaves or souls, but not as closely as those in your immediate proximity. You are all part of one tree and one trunk. You can share experiences. You know each other. But those on your twig are the closest.

There are many other trees in this beautiful forest. Each tree is connected to the others through the root system in the ground. So even though there may be a leaf on a distant tree that seems quite different from you and very far away, you are still connected to that leaf. You are connected to all leaves. But you are the most closely connected to those on your tree. And even more intimately connected to those on your branch. And almost as one with those on your own twig."

That's very close to my own feelings and beliefs. Individuals operating on the same frequency are the closest to me in my "circle of souls," and those whose frequency is slightly different are on the outer parts of the circle. I find that with those I'm deeply connected to - aside from the recognition through vibrational resonance - there are also shared experiences, shared memories and holographic projections, which even more clearly identify the person for me...and further validate the connection. ;)

I'm so very blessed to have several of my special souls with me again in this life. I love this quote from Elizabeth in Weiss's book: "Love dissolves fear. You cannot be afraid when you are feeling love. When allowed to flow freely, love overcomes all obstacles." How true ;)

I know several of my close friends have described how they experience a recognition - and the clarity and depth of their experiences is amazing to me. I'm curious to hear how others identify and recognize souls they've known before.

Aili
 
Thanks for sharing that Aili.

Ailish said:
Everything in the Universe is made up of energy. That energy vibrates at different levels. Souls, like everything else, resonate at a certain frequency or vibration.
I think that is exactly right. I also think that love is an energy that we are immersed in, it wraps us like a warm blanket and we luxuriate in the way it makes us feel on the other side of the veil. I wonder if that energy comes from the Source of our creation - I think it does and I am sure that at one time we all knew that so very well.


I like Brian Weiss a lot.
 
I agree, many people we connect with well are excellent new connections. I have found those who I had past lives with had a more of a distinctive kind of connection, which is hard to explain. I just published a book which has not been released yet about my recent past lives and an autobiography of my life today, and how those lives have impacted it.
 
What a wonderful topic, Aili..... ;) I bet you knew it would get me rambling... :laugh:


I have been able to experience this deep and soulful recognition with several people throughout my life. Some of those people are very close to me in this life, such as my children and my husband. Others are not as close, and some are indeed quite far from me right now. The circumstances that brought us together were naturally very different too, but the feeling of recognition was exactly of the same nature. I was (still am) absolutely in awe of the intensity and depth of it.


I have met people in this life that I'm quite sure I haven't known before, and some of them are my close friends or relatives. I love them no less for the the youth of our connection... and I'm blessed to have them in my life.

Ailish says:
Dr. Weiss goes on to say, “Soul recognition often takes the form of a sudden feeling of familiarity, of knowing a new person at depths far beyond what the conscious mind could know. You may intuitively know what to say or how they will react, which creates a feeling of safety and a trust far greater than could be earned in a short period of time. Soul recognition may be immediate, or subtle and slow. Not everyone is ready to see or remember the person right away. Divine timing is at work.”
I love this quote. "Knowing a new person at depths far beyond what the conscious mind could know". The first time I experienced this impossible intimate knowing was almost shocking. I was utterly bewildered by the flood of intimate memories, such as the scent of a person's skin, or how they look like when they are asleep. And even if my rational mind immediately jumped at me, telling me that such a thing was not possible, I knew in my heart that those feelings were true.


It's been a few years now, since I have been blessed with this experience. When it happens, my rational mind still grumbles, and throws a disapproving glance at my soul. The joy of recognition has not faded one bit.


:)
 
Hiya Welsh,


Yes, I knew you'd have lots to say :laugh::tongue: Tehehehe. I was hoping you'd share a little more about how you experience this knowing. I know I loved hearing your explanation when you told me in your email...of course you don't have to share if you don't want to...no pressure from the peanut gallery here!! : angel

I have met people in this life that I'm quite sure I haven't known before, and some of them are my close friends or relatives. I love them no less for the the youth of our connection... and I'm blessed to have them in my life.
I understand what you're saying. I also have people in my present life that I share no soul connection with - meaning we share no past lives together and they are not in my soul family (different things entirely)....or as Brian Weiss would say, they aren't "on my branch or tree." ;) Some of them are good friends and some are passers-by. And yes...I have love for them and appreciate them - but admittedly, I love them differently. It's not something I consciously choose, but the feeling is definitely different.


There's something extra special about those I share connections with. It's more intense - more exciting and dynamic. It's an unconditional love that is meaningful and fulfilling in a deeply spiritual way. These individuals are my greatest teachers - I can literally feel them, (their thoughts, feelings and emotions) and vice versa, even when we're logistically miles apart. When something happens - they are the ones I want to be with - to talk to. It's their advice I want to hear. ;) Since it also works the other way, I often find myself "busted" by one of them. Cant hide anything - they see all!!! : angel


I think it's completely natural to feel this way - and it doesn't mean that "regular" friends are any less important as individuals. Just...different. :cool


Stardis - beautiful thoughts. I believe love is the greatest energy of all. I once had a wise woman tell me that the most important connection is for you to connect to the memory of the love that you are and to shine the light of your true heart where ever you may go. I just LOVE that...)*(


msmir - I'm always interested in how our past lives have led to our present life situations and lessons. You will have to let us know more about your book :)


Aili
 
I have a large family and there are many people in my family that I am indifferent to. I love and respect them as members of the family but there is no real connection with them. On the other hand, there is another family that I have known for years. They have always welcomed me as one of their own. I'm even friends with their extended family. I get invited to things like weddings and graduations. There are two brothers and a sister, and they have been like brothers and sister to me. Sometimes I feel closer to that family than I do to my own. There's nothing wrong with my family. Perhaps I have a past life history with the others. It has always made me wonder why I am so close to them.


Something else that's interesting to me is one of my best friends has two children. He has a 6-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter. From day one his daughter and I have been very close. She's always thrilled to see and I'm always glad to see her. The bond is obvious to everyone, even her parents. Her mom has said to me sarcastically, "You can't tell she likes you, can you?" I don't have the same bond with the son that I do the daughter. I'm starting to wonder if I know her from a past life. I would like to somehow ask her if she remembers me from the past, but I haven't gotten the nerve. I don't know how to ask such a thing to a 5-year-old and I don't want to freak her parents out. There is an undeniable bond there though.
 
Ailish wrote:
Hiya Welsh,


Yes, I knew you'd have lots to say Tehehehe. I was hoping you'd share a little more about how you experience this knowing. I know I loved hearing your explanation when you told me in your email...of course you don't have to share if you don't want to...no pressure from the peanut gallery here!!
:D Of course I don't mind sharing! I recall the conversation we had on the subject, and I believe my description of this kind of recognition is recorded in my journals in this way:

The feeling of having known someone before - from a previous life - is very distinctive. It's hard to explain - it's as if the person is emotionally three-dimensional to me - as if they are an entity composed of their emotions and spiritual qualities.
Have you ever heard a choir sing from within it, standing in the midst of the singers? The polyphonic sound becomes three-dimensional (its amazing! ;) ) - quite different from the way it feels if you listen to the same music standing outside of the choir. That's what it feels like when I know someone from before.
That - and something I can only describe as a "hum" that vibrates between the energetic bodies, which is perfectly audible (to me at least) and vibrant...
 
Yes, yes, yes!!! That's what I'm talking about! :D A beautiful example of recognition, imo. Thank you for sharing from your personal journals, Welsh!! I definitely know what you mean with the polyphonic sound - and the hum between two souls. (And sometimes a crackle here and there) :laugh: :D
 
Question


Do you actually have to meet someone in order to have this "soul recognition"? I've had very strong feelings of familiarity with someone just by seeing a photograph of that person. That person died over sixty years ago.
 
I do not believe you need to meet the person. A person's son I had never met felt very familiar to me upon hearing about him .. I felt very close to this boy ... totally out of character for me to think in such a way.
 
Hi weshinetogether!


I don't believe you have to meet the person physically either. I've experienced very strong feelings of recognizance through photographs myself.


You might find this thread interesting... :)


Love


Welsh
 
Truthseeker said:
From day one his daughter and I have been very close. She's always thrilled to see and I'm always glad to see her. The bond is obvious to everyone, even her parents. Her mom has said to me sarcastically, "You can't tell she likes you, can you?" I don't have the same bond with the son that I do the daughter. I'm starting to wonder if I know her from a past life. I would like to somehow ask her if she remembers me from the past, but I haven't gotten the nerve. I don't know how to ask such a thing to a 5-year-old and I don't want to freak her parents out. There is an undeniable bond there though.
I was really glad to read this, because there are members of my family I don't feel much attachment to and a lecturer who I have much more of a bond with. I haven't had any luck in explaining it to anyone because they don't seem to understand how complex it is, and they just assume I see him as some kind of father figure or just admire him a lot, I haven't had much luck at putting this bond into words.


I haven't said anything to the professor either, though I've been tempted because he always emails me or comes to talk to me after seminars to make sure I'm not struggling with work and to ask about my academic interests. It's always work-based, and I just get the impression that he really wants to make sure I achieve everything he has hopes for. It must be even more difficult to tackle the subject with a child! If her parents aren't very religious or skeptical, maybe mentioning the idea of reincarnation wouldn't be too bold. And if she does remember something, she might not understand why yet, so it could help her to consider at least the possibility of a past life.
 
Hello Prince and welcome to the forum. :)


I'm sure everyone has certain people in their lives they have a special chemistry that they really can't explain. Yes, it is more difficult with a child. She's never mentioned anything that I've heard refering to a past life memory. Unless that happens, I probably won't bring it up. Her parents are very religious and I doubt they would appreciate me putting these "crazy" ideas in her head.


Enjoy the forum and feel free to ask any questions you might have. :thumbsup:
 
There have been several people in my life that I've felt unusually drawn to. Most of them, I've developed a strong relationship with, normally over odd circumstances as well.


So far, those have all been the people that I've not had any falling out of any sort with.


I've also met people, on a different note, that for some reason, I just don't like. They either really bug me in some way, or they make me feel really uncomfortable. There could be a connection there to a past life as well, at least in some cases.
 
I've also met people, on a different note, that for some reason, I just don't like. They either really bug me in some way, or they make me feel really uncomfortable. There could be a connection there to a past life as well, at least in some cases.
Finally! I was waiting for someone to bring this up. Up until Lulz comment it seemed that all the feelings of connections to possible past lives were of the positive loving nature and I didn't necessarily agree that we would only recognize the loving soul connections. I believe that in most reincarnations there must be challenges and struggles, so that means that we might meet the souls that presented us with a challenge in some other life as well.


I have met many people that I've felt that immediate and positive connection to. I have also met many people that I don't feel so good about. On first glance I feel a sense of discomfort. Couldn't these people also be from past life connections?


I wonder if there is danger in making a past life emotional connection to a present life person. Isn't it possible that someone we loved in another life is certainly not the same in this life? Or do people believe that all members of a soul family represent 'good' connections?
 
I agree with you hadley, I certainly don't think that a soul connection between two people means that every lifetime spent together is going to be full of sunshine, happiness and laughter. I believe that connected souls experience every aspect of life together, but as Ailish said in her first post, those experiences are all weaved together out of love, love endures. So even though two souls may be best friends, or lovers, or what have you in one lifetime, I believe that they can also be enemies in another life, the whole point being that they learn together, and from each other, love, hate, happiness, sadness etc. It is said that there is a very thin line between love and hate, and I agree that souls experience all these things with each other, as well as everything in between for the greater good. :)
 
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