Soul Ties: Meaning, Signs And How To Break One (2024)

Some Christian entities and figures claim that the idea of soul ties originates from New Age teachings or beliefs, which, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, is a movement from the 1970s and 1980s that existed amongst occult and metaphysical religious communities. While sometimes associated with biblical ideology, the term “soul tie” isn’t actually mentioned in the Bible. However, the Bible does speak of the idea of souls being “knit” together, which some may interpret as the same thing.

Because there isn’t a scientific definition of soul ties, how one defines a soul tie connection may vary from person to person, explains Jennifer Silvershein Teplin, founder and clinical director of Manhattan Wellness in New York City. “Generally, when someone is talking about a soul tie, they are identifying an intense spiritual connection,” says Teplin. Most people refer to a soul tie connection as feeling united with someone emotionally and spiritually, she adds.

“Soul ties are deep emotional and spiritual connections between individuals,” agrees Sarah Levine-Miles, a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist based in Rockville, Maryland. This connection can happen in physically or emotionally intimate relationships, often when people share a meaningful experience together, such as a birth or death, she notes.

“These bonds are powerful, and impact one’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors,” says Levine-Miles. It can be hard to describe what a soul tie connection feels like, other than intense and valuable, adds Teplin.

Both experts say that soul ties can occur between partners, friends or family members. “The main [factor] of soul ties is that it’s an intensely intimate bond,” says Teplin.

There are different categories of soul ties: spiritual, emotional and sexual, says Levine-Miles “Some people experience more than one or all of these types of soul ties within one relationship,” she adds.

Spiritual soul ties are connections that encompass shared beliefs, values, faith and observance or rituals, notes Levine-Miles. This is slightly different from emotional soul ties, she says, which are connections formed through close friendships, romantic relationships or deep family relationships. As for sexual soul ties, Levine-Miles explains that these are based on the idea that physical intimacy can intertwine souls and create a deep emotional intimacy that goes beyond sexual attraction.

There are also healthy and unhealthy soul ties. “Soul ties can be positive and enriching when built on honesty, trust and support,” says Levine-Miles. When experiencing a healthy soul tie, individuals feel a sense of belonging and an increase in compassion and empathy, but she emphasizes that when not in a healthy relational context, soul ties can cause emotional pain and damage. “For example, unhealthy soul ties can lead to codependency and emotional entanglement, hindering personal growth and well-being,” adds Levine-Miles.

Soul Ties vs Soulmates vs Twin Flames

When it comes to a romantically-fueled attachment, soul ties mean something different than the meaning of soulmates, notes Teplin. “A soulmate is [described as] your main person you are meant to be with forever,” she says, adding that these bonds are believed to be formed after two people meet and work to create a future together over time. “This contrasts with the idea of a soul tie, which is a type of bond where two people instantly feel like they’re on the same page when they meet,” she says.

Soul ties and twin flames can have different meanings too, adds Teplin. “Twin flames are intense connections that bring people together really quickly, but can fizzle out quickly too,” she says. “It’s a quick burn, whereas soul ties are more long lasting.”

Again, it’s important to note that all three terms (soul ties, soulmates and twin flames) are colloquial descriptors of relationships used by some people, and are not necessarily scientific or psychological categories, nor backed by evidence.

Both Teplin and Levine-Miles agree that a hallmark sign of a romantic soul tie connection may involve meeting someone new and instantly feeling like you know them already.

“[You feel] a strong emotional bond that has a level of intensity that goes beyond other close relationships,” says Levine-Miles. This can include feeling a deep level of empathy and compassion for the other person and having the ability to be in tune with their emotions without them communicating how they are feeling, she adds. People with a soul tie connection may feel they are brought together not because of coincidence, but because they are destined to be together.

If a soul tie connection sounds like something you want, Teplin says there are ways to make yourself more likely to experience one, such as being open to new experiences and relationships. “We live in a world where many people are shut down and afraid of being rejected or judged,” she says. “But opening your eyes and looking for a connection makes it easier to recognize a soul tie.”

Having a soul tie connection also requires vulnerability, honesty and a willingness to listen to the other person, notes Teplin. Unless both people are able to express who they are, it’s impossible to recognize any similarities or feel a deep connection.

Soul ties are not always positive; they can also be toxic or unhealthy. For example, an unhealthy soul tie can occur when an individual (or both partners) are not able to separate themselves from the other person, losing the ability to have their own interests, dreams and friendships outside of the soul tie relationship.

Sometimes, jealousy can turn a soul tie connection into an unhealthy bond, says Teplin. An individual may be so protective of this connection that they feel threatened by any outside friendships or connections, unwilling to let their partner spend time with anyone else.

If you recognize that a soul tie connection is negatively impacting your mental health or hurting the other relationships in your life, experts note it may be time to break that bond and move on. However, this can be difficult, since soul tie bonds are so intense and deeply felt.

The first step in breaking a soul tie is reaching out to other sources of support, which might be friends or family members who are genuinely concerned with your happiness and well-being, says Levine-Miles. Next, she recommends setting boundaries with the person you are breaking the soul tie with. “Depending on the situation, individuals may want to draw clear guidelines around contact or stop contact altogether.”

As you break away from your soul tie bond, it’s important to engage in healthy hobbies and take care of yourself, adds Levine-Miles. This can include a spiritual practice, exercise or therapy. Practice patience and kindness with yourself as well, she says. “Distancing yourself from a soul tie can be scary and overwhelming,” notes Levine-Miles, adding that any pain associated with the break will likely subside with time.

A soul tie connection can be incredibly positive in one’s life, says Teplin. However, if a soul tie connection is intertwined with jealousy or damaging to your mental health in any way, that’s when it becomes important to make changes to the impact this relationship has on your life. If you encounter what you believe is a soul tie connection, pay attention to how it’s impacting your mental health. If it’s adding to your well-being and happiness, it is likely worth holding on to and nourishing.