Those undergoing the fifth and final stage of reincarnation are known as old souls. In this stage of soul evolvement there is a search for balance and completion, and an urge to pass on the torch before the end of reincarnation.
Journey’s End
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Having completed the fourth stage of reincarnation, the soul has come a long way.
- In the first stage, as an infant soul, it learned about physical existence, life and death, and the need for nurturing.
- In the second stage, as a baby soul, it learned about society, culture and community, the need for structure, belonging, and playing a role.
- In the third stage, as a young soul, it learned about free will and self-determination, taking charge of its own destiny, rising to the challenge.
- In the fourth stage, as a mature soul, it learned about co-existence and interrelatedness, taking responsibility for its relationships, honouring difference and otherness.
At last, the soul is ready for the final leg of the journey: the return to unity and the end of reincarnation.
This return to unity does not involve any loss of individuality, as some imagine. The end of reincarnation — “ascension” or “enlightenment” or what have you — does not mean fading out of existence, dissolving into nothingness. Rather, the soul completes its adventure as a unique individual, like a distinctive star in the night sky, a completely realised Self.
So to begin this stage, the soul will tend to focus on true self-expression and self-actualization, seeking experiences which provide personal fulfilment within life on the physical plane. This could be found in, say, acting, painting, wine-growing, gardening, flying old aeroplanes, or simply being a grandparent. The soul is not interested in success or fame so much as doing something it loves well, and finding inner satisfaction.
Then, towards the end of the stage, there is more of an emphasis on teaching rather than simply learning: passing on the lessons learnt, showing others the way.
For some, especially Old Priest souls, the teaching focus is explicitly spiritual. Many of the world’s great spiritual teachers are old souls.
That’s not to say that every self-proclaimed guru is an old soul. Far from it. There are spiritual teachers at all stages of reincarnation. But the advanced old soul has certain characteristics as a spiritual teacher that stand out from the rest: far-reaching wisdom, great compassion, and little or no attachment to material things.
The main lesson for old souls is to do with unity in diversity. The old soul already has a well-developed sense of personal identity (from the young soul phase) and interdependence (from the mature soul phase). Now the soul also feels drawn to reconnect with the greater order of things, the underlying cosmic unity.
This does not mean overthrowing the lessons of the previous stages in favour of some nice, fluffy notion of oneness. Rather, it means coming to terms with all of life’s dualities (self and other, love and hate, joy and pain, etc.) as integral to the whole.
Old Soul Perceptions
In this fifth and final cycle on the Earth plane, there is a more holistic perception of self, life and everything as part of a bigger picture. So while the mature soul comes to perceive others as its brothers and sisters, the old soul comes to perceive both self and others as integral parts of a greater whole, all unique yet all essential.
In other words, the old soul comes to perceive every thing, every being, every moment, as part of one great tapestry.
The issue now is how to relate to this united reality through one’s own being — how to be at peace with all of the conflicts, how to experience the harmony within all of the diversity.
This involves recognising the validity of each being’s chosen path in life within the broader scheme of things. We are all part of the One, and yet we are many, each pursuing a different path. And no path is wrong. Hence the old soul motto: “You do your thing and I’ll do mine.”
Old Soul Lifestyles
Old souls become more relaxed, laid back and detached in life. Human existence is familiar and manageable, and there are not so many problems or issues to deal with. The main issues, in fact, are existential rather than material or psychological.
Doing their own thing, old souls end up pursuing nothing but their own path whilst allowing others to pursue theirs, just perfecting their own abilities, being themselves in life to the best that they can. Many do so through artistic, humanitarian or philosophical endeavours, though for many their greatest form of self-fulfillment can be something as “mundane” as gardening. Work, rest and play all become the same thing.
A potential difficulty for old souls is lapsing into apathy, no longer caring about life and the world. As the physical plane begins to lose its allure, the incarnate soul can show signs of being world-weary, even from birth.
In fact, depression is the one form of mental illness to which old souls are vulnerable. (Which is not to say that everyone with depression is an old soul, necessarily. It’s just that an old soul who is beginning to see the bigger picture might sometimes feel that ordinary life is a pointless ordeal.)
In the end, joy is found in simply being as opposed to doing.
Other Old Soul Characteristics
How can you spot an old soul?
Old souls have a level of self-assurance that is unusual for souls in other stages (with the exception of King souls, who don’t really do self-doubt at any stage). They are generally relaxed and comfortable in their own skins. That’s not to say that they have no issues; many clearly do. But their issues do not dominate them in the way that is often the case with mature souls.
Old souls tend to emanate a calm, steady quality that has substance, depth or gravitas. In comparison, young souls can appear frantic and superficial while mature souls seem perpetually stressed and assailed by life. You can often hear it in the voice — young souls tend to talk loud and fast, mature souls have a sort of soft tone laced with uncertainty, while old souls tend to have a slow, deep voice – relaxed, assured and unhurried.
This inner calm and depth is also evident in the old soul’s eyes. Whereas young souls cannot make eye contact for long, and mature souls will do so occasionally, when they’re not too stressed or distracted, old souls tend to make direct eye contact with an unflinching gaze. (Note: This is not the same as the cold stare of a psychopath!) They are unafraid to look another in the eyes and see into their heart.
Compared to other souls, old souls are generally more relaxed and philosophical about life, at ease with themselves and others, and have fewer material attachments. They tend to be drawn to the quiet life away from the noise of the city. The old soul is more a citizen of the world than wedded to one place. Old Kings in particular will tend to spend their last lives as homeless, wandering teachers.
Some Famous Old Souls
Old souls who become famous tend to do so by virtue of their mastery, insight and wisdom rather than ambition.
Many of the finest minds in history have been old souls: Marcus Aurelius (121-180), Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Carl Jung (1875-1961).
In the arts we have the composer J. S. Bach (1685-1750), the painter Paul Gauguin (1848-1903, now apparently reincarnated as artist Peter Teekamp), and the writers Walt Whitman (1819-1892) and William Blake (1757-1827).
In the acting profession, there are numerous old souls who are brilliant at playing characters who are, essentially, younger souls — mainly because there aren’t that many scripts featuring old soul characters! Consider, for example, Anthony Hopkins playing Hannibal Lecter or Ben Kingsley in Sexy Beast. Morgan Freeman is well known for the gravitas he brings to every role.
Clint Eastwood’s acting reveals a mix of Warrior soul combativeness with old soul detachment, but it is as a director that he has achieved mastery.
Finally, many of the world’s great spiritual teachers have been late-stage old souls passing on their wisdom: Gurdjieff (1866-1949), Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895-1986), Ramana Maharshi (1879-1950), Anandamayi Ma (1896-1962), Neem Karoli Baba (d. 1973), the Dalai Lama, Ammachi (Mātā Amritanandamayī Devi), and Thich Nhat Hanh.
The End of Reincarnation
There are seven levels to every stage of soul evolution, including this one. So after completing the 7th level of the mature soul stage, the soul begins its next life as a 1st-level old soul. The soul then undergoes the whole sequence of development as an old soul, one life at a time, until finally it reaches 7th level. This is the final step, step 35, in the 35 steps of reincarnation.
Now, I occasionally meet people who are convinced that they must now be in their final incarnation simply because they are so “spiritual” and have no liking for the material world. This is not how it works.
The goal of evolution is not to escape from the wretched physical plane, despite what many teach. The end of reincarnation is not some sort of reward for good behaviour. Human existence is not a prison, or a wheel of torment, from which only the most worthy gain liberation.
We incarnate because we want to and we choose to. We keep doing it precisely because we want to come to terms with it. We know that in each life we will probably spend several decades not remembering who we are, not remembering our eternal Home, buying into the illusion of separation, experiencing fear. This is the very stuff which inspires us to become more conscious.
Completion occurs when it matters not whether you are incarnate or discarnate: you see through the illusion and you always feel at Home.
If you have issues with being physical, then you still have a way to go.
So the last lifetime is one in which you are very content to be in physical form, using it as an opportunity to teach and enlighten others.
Ramana Maharshi is an example of someone in their last life, reaching the end of reincarnation. Towards the end of his life, some of his students begged him not to die, not to leave them. His answer was: “But where could I possibly go?” He knew that both he and everybody else are already Home, and always will be, having never really left it.
→ See: Abide As The Self [DVD]
Beyond the Old soul
On completion of the seventh level of the old soul stage, there is no longer any need or desire to reincarnate. The soul will unify its consciousness with soul mates who have also completed, and it may serve as an elder spirit guide to others still undergoing reincarnation. But there is no longer value to be had in incarnating as a human being.
There are some rare exceptions, however.
A number of old Priest souls such as the philosopher Socrates, the Prophet Mohammed and Mahatma Gandhi are said to have incarnated to become vehicles for a higher level of consciousness capable of inspiring a cultural revolution. The higher consciousness manifested through these individuals only in later life. From that point on, they are referred to in the Michael teachings as “transcendental souls”.
Rarer still, Jesus Christ and the Buddha are said to be examples of old King souls who returned to become the physical embodiment of divine love, pure consciousness and ultimate truth, the Tao itself in human form. In other words, avatars. Again, the transformation did not occur until some point in adulthood. But from then on, these individuals are said to be manifestations of the “infinite soul”.
Recommended reading
 |
The Michael HandbookA Channeled System For Self UnderstandingJOSÉ STEVENS and SIMON WARWICK-SMITH(Warwick Press, 1990)Amazon link → |
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Journey of SoulsCase Studies of Life Between LivesMICHAEL NEWTON, Ph.D.(Llewellyn, 1994)Amazon link → |
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The Five Stages of Reincarnation
Stage 1 |
Stage 2 |
Stage 3 |
Stage 4 |
Stage 5 |
| Infant Soul | Baby Soul | Young Soul | Mature Soul | Old Soul |
Very interesting article, I was just wondering where this term ‘old soul’ originated from?
I don’t know if the Michael teachings were the original source of the term; it may have been used informally for a long while. But certainly these are the first teachings to give it a formal meaning, along with mature soul, infant spul, etc.
B
I loved this article! A friend of mine told me that I was an an ‘old soul’ and I now know why he said that!
This is really very good article..The above is correct.. but how do i understand in what stage i am ?
Hi Srivalli,
The easy way of course is to get a reading from a competent Michael channel. The trick is knowing you’ve got a competent channel. The first reading I got said I was an old soul, but that didn’t feel right to me. The next one I asked hit everything perfectly. There are links to some channels – who I believe are competent – at the bottom of my page on the Michael Teachings.
It’s important to see what resonates within you. The fact that you are reading this and asking the question suggests you are either young, mature or old. (For an overview, read my article Reincarnation: the 35 steps of soul evolution.) But it can be hard to really know yourself until you are around 35-40, because until then we are still immersed in the baggage of our culture and upbringing. I’m a mature soul, but at age 20 I would have assumed that I was a young soul because my outlook was so egocentric and materialistic. I didn’t know who I was until I was about 30 (after a spiritual awakening).
barry
I turn 30 years old April of this year and ever since then I have been on this most amazing spiritual journey. I feel like I’m now starting to figure out who I am. I have so many question and I’m constantly trying to figure things out. I have so much yet to learn, but I feel like I’m never going to be the same. I too would have thought of myself as a young soul in my 20s. I’m still trying to figure out if I’m a mature or old soul. I’ve been told that I’m an Old Soul by many, but eventually I will the know the truth for myself.
It should become clearer to you over the next 10-15 years, if you pay attention to yourself – especially your deepest values and motivations in life. Thanks Jackie.
see now this to me is no coicendence, i have a very real, very strong connection with my father whom died many years ago; i am always guided by his sense and direted in the path i am meant to go, this doesnt mean i always follow it; although it does mean the signs are there. weirldy enough i have been having intense dreams, intuition and a sense of knowing for a long time now, as of late i have started doing some research as to why i felt this way ( i now know im not along) coming on to this site, after reading John Newtons books to many times, it forwarded me to this message via BARRY, ‘ barry is my deceased fathers name” it was posted the same day as my birth day and a time frame in which my father passes’ all to connected if you ask me!?
ok im baffling now,
but so much to write says my tiny little soul inside- i believe we can be awakened at any age, i myself am a young little spring chicken at the petite age of 22, life has already shown me enough uphill battles that allowed me to the opportunity to either find myself or lose myself..
i think understanding is one of the biggest key impacts in our life, ‘deeper understanding, deeper appreciation’, i started on my spiritual journey very young, i didnt search; it came along and completed my life. it was the missing puzzle my soul urge was trying to find.
As time grew so did i , i searched for too long trying to find a book that made me undesrtand, made me feel like i was not alone, like i was right where i was supposed to be, the tears were going to be worth it and the pain would eventually fade? something of the sort was never found, as the old saying goes( ‘ if you feel you need to read and book and it hasnt been written; write it- Mother Thersesa) so i wrote it, soon to be published and on a deeper journey of myself, i thank this beautiful universe for giving all us the pleasure to experience life as human beings. much love nikki
Marvellous, Nikki, marvellous. Hey, let us all know when your book is out.
- BARRY
Well if you were to be an old or yet even mature soul you would know
Only if you’re past mid-life. Until then, you are still working your way up to “acting your age.”
Hi, I was just reading this article because my mom told me that she believed that I am an old soul because I would always act like a little old man. I was surprised about then difficulties of an old soul(no longer caring about life and the world) because I felt like that a few months ago. I do believe that I could be an old soul but as a low level. Loved reading this article!
John
Thanks, John.
This soul stage deeply fits my characteristics. I have always been defined as laid back, and I have a strong belief in allowing others to pursue their own lives as they wish (never criticizing other religions, sexual orientations, choices, etc.). I think about everything in wholeness, and focus now on the little things that I’ve been missing in life. I’m only 18 but I picked up the pedal harp about 3 years ago, something I have wanted to play since early childhood. I was an instant prodigy and performed in New York city just one year after. I also feel a strong connection with the spiritual plane, as I play my harp often at The Sanctuary, an art gallery of angels by painter Nancy Noel.
Usually I am constantly content and overjoyed about everything in life. However, I reoccurring, for no reason have bouts of severe depression. There does not seem to be any triggers for this, it just happens, sometimes without years or months, and sometimes off and on through out the day. I also have severe narcolepsy, so I am tired all the time. I also have low endurance for physical activities, as I am quite prone to fainting.
**I had an aura picture when I was 12, and I am blue-violet overall and purple, pink, and white on my right hand. I feel like I am indeed nearing the end of my soul journey, but oddly enough, I have known this all along! This article has just confirmed my inner intuitions and beliefs about life.
Hi Molly
You have a very interesting story and way of life. Am I able to hear a recording of your harp playing at all?
Regards
Greg
Every since I was a child, I was always very detached from everything. I felt like I was looking on as a visitor, watching other kids live their lives in pleasure ways of toys and fun, nothing wrong with that. But it was very alienating as a child but wanted to seek out my own path. Often times looking up to the stars and thinking that they are home. I’m very intuitive and sometimes get those “gut” feelings, I can feel what others think about me. I don’t think many people and I connect and I can feel that they are turned off by my more laid back, calm and exploitative type of life. Also, I often times before reaching out to others who felt this way, always thought that I am “finished”, we are so significant in this universe.
Thanks for the blog, it was great reading it.
Since childhood I’ve always been labelled as an Old Soul. I’ve always had dreamlike visions depicting future events, intense intuition, & a deep love for nature. Growing up, I never felt like anyone understood me, feeling alienated most of my life. While enjoying everyday simplicities, I had random bouts of severe depression that would last hours, or weeks, sometimes months. Now in my late 20′s, I am very secure with myself; rarely feeling sadness (until I read the global news) I’m ok with dancing to the beat of my own drum. I know & have always known that we all belong to a greater whole. Spirituality is the most important thing in my life. What fulfills my existence is teaching Yoga, as well as rescuing animals, educating people about how to live healthily, & in harmony with all living beings (that includes ecosystems). Some years ago, I was approached by a woman on a busy street who told me I had the most beautiful deep Violet aura. I’m engaged to a man who is a Mature Soul, he knows it, & knows that I am an Old Soul completing one of my last remaining incarnations.
Many thanks, Nicole. Nice to hear from you.
Life is so much more complicated than it appears. Interesting perspective, but where does this evolve from? Why not 3, instead of 35?
See http://personalityspirituality.net/articles/the-michael-teachings/reincarnation-the-35-steps/
All my life I feel like I was different from my family and my peers in school both physically and subconsiously. I have had some “knowing” of wisdom that I didn`t realize I had it was a spirit was inside me giving me this information and will make happy in the inside and as I got older I begin to start talking to myself but it didn`t feel that way at alll but it felt I was talking to a inner guide that was like an angel or something and when I was 17 I learned all about numerology and and founded that I have a 7 life path and that I may have the symptoms of a Spiritual Awakening and something in the inside is telling that this is true but I kinda doubt but I somehow know that I may be a old soul
That’s a genuinely impsrseive answer.
I wish i knew. What level of soul growth i am.
Take a look at the section on “Soul age and personality” on the following page and see if anything resonates for you:
http://personalityspirituality.net/articles/the-michael-teachings/reincarnation-the-35-steps/
Do these beliefs work while still believing in God and Jesus as our savior in a non-denominational Christian way?
Hi Owen
I don’t know the answer from personal experience but I know that there are vigorous arguments going both ways. There is a lot of discussion about how early Christians – or at least those of a mystical bent – believed in reincarnation, while the early Church fathers subsequently deleted reincarnation from Christian doctrine along with references to it in the New Testament for pragmatic reasons rather than anything else. But this is all ancient history and will never be resolved. What impresses me more are those modern Christians who have had a near death experience and come back with revelations direct from heaven, as it were.
For theological arguments against, see for example:
http://newapologia.com/can-christian-believe-in-reincarnation/
For theological arguments for, see:
http://www.near-death.com/experiences/origen06.html
http://www.christian-reincarnation.com/PDF/ChristRein.pdf
For Christians’ near-death experiences, see:
http://www.near-death.com/origen.html
- barry
Beliefs are not real but the truth is. If you read this http://www.truthcontest.com/entries/the-present-universal-truth/ you will find the answers you seek.
Thanks for the reply, i definitely feel myself as the plane between mature and old soul, probably more mature currently. It just seems weird to imagine different lives for my soul, im having a hard time believing that part
This might also be worth a look:
REINCARNATION AND TRADITIONAL THEOLOGY
http://barbarakfolts.com/past-life-therapy/reincarnation-and-traditional-theology/
I have always known I was an old souls before all the psychics told me.. its starting to make sense now as I am working to to stop the repeating patterns as much and explains my apathy towards the world..
I fell better knowing its normal wanting to be alone and not being fazed by much
As i read some of the comments posted here. Some things come to mind. A few people here have posted that they felt different as a child disconnected from others and other children like watching other kids joyfull and carefree playing with toys and what not. Has it ever croosed your mind that maybe you were abused some how as a child causing you to behave in a more depressed less playful manner than the other kids?
That’s quite a heavy seed to plant in people’s minds – “So you felt different as a kid… perhaps you were abused.”
But you raise an interesting point. I believe one reason why some kids feel different or detached from others around them – that has nothing to do with being an old soul – is simply because they are introverts. This was certainly true in my case. I am a mature soul, not an old soul, but as an introvert brought up in an environment dominated by extraverts, I felt very much disconnected.
Barry, thank you for creating this website and actively helping others answer unknown questions. Throughout my life I’ve been very intuitive, At various points I’ve been told I was an old soul with a very high level of intent through channeled readings. Most recently a numerologist found my double 11 name and 4 birth date significant. Many times I’ve felt like I was on the outside looking in with relation to others. Recently, I have noticed that people seem attracted to me for no apparent reason such as while grocery shopping, some one will smile at me and a newborn baby seemed to be fixated on my eyes. Are these signs of being an old soul?
Hi Patricia
Thanks for the nice comment.
I don’t mean to prick your bubble or anything, but those who hope to hear that they are old souls (as defined here) generally aren’t, while those who are old souls don’t need to be told, or simply don’t care. I don’t believe any of the experiences you mention are signs of being an old soul – but on the other hand, that doesn’t mean you are not one! Without knowing anything about you, I can only say that it’s possible that the psychics are right. Mind you, whenever psychics say “you are an old soul”, quite often they simply mean “older than the average around here”, which could mean anything from late young to mature to old.
I don’t know how physically old you are at the moment, but our true soul age becomes more apparent as we approach middle age (35+). Before then, it can be pretty hard to discern because mostly we are not acting our age, as it were. In my twenties, for instance, I would have guessed that I was a young soul based on my rampant ego and competitiveness. My mature soul sensitivity was there, but seemed less obvious until 30-40.
So that’s a long-winded way of saying, in answer to your question, I honestly don’t know!
I’m just getting into this and I’ve already figured out my details. I learn quickly. I’ve been called an old soul alot of times, be it from my relatives or from a quiz on the subject.
As for actual age, surprisingly enough, I’m only about 20 and a half, two months shy of it actually, I’ll be 20 and a half on Valentine’s day. However, despite my age and according to this chart, http://www.michaelteachings.com/soul_age_levels.htm I happen to be a Level 7 Old Soul. I knew I was an Old Soul, but I didn’t know I’d be on that level so that’s interesting to me. Having said that, though, I’m confused on one thing; being a 7th level Old Soul, does this mean I won’t be reincarnated after death? Or am I mistaken?
Hmmm… if you are indeed 7th level Old, then this isn’t necessarily the last life – it could take you the next 3 or 4 lives to get it “right”. However, the very fact that you ask the question leads me to question your judgement. I would expect you to be telling me, with immense wisdom and compassion, what you are about.
Well, like I said, I’m just getting into this and the question crossed my mind leading me to some confusion.
As for what I’m about, I’m really really self conscious, I will notice if I’m doing something like standing funny and immediately correct it, I’m mainly very emotionally detached, even though some sorrow can flare up at times because I have alot of difficulty accepting family losses, I’ve had alot of them that just remain there in my mind and often can’t let go or accept. Alot of people say I’d make a good teacher seeing as I have several hobbies like studying Astrology, Astronomy, and Meteorology. I’d gladly teach people what I know about those topics, but not many take interest, so I often end up teaching a seldom one or two people interested in whichever of those 3 subjects. I’m really laid back and I just do what I want and often leave my parents and friends to do what they want. I also have a lot of difficulty accepting change, unless its some sort of change that I want to carry out, hence moving this year. My childhood was, well, rough, I was always teased and mocked, my grandma and several pets died and I still just can’t accept it. However, overall, I’m pretty friendly, but can be pretty quiet because I might be studying something or busy with schoolwork or housework, but whatever I’m told to do, I’ll do it. I’m pretty easy to be around really.
Pardon for not adding the above details in the first comment I left. I sometimes forget to add detail firsthand. My mistake.
Hi Erica
Your soul age isn’t coming across to me yet as clearly as your physical age, but other aspects of your character are occurring to me. You could look up the goal of Growth (http://personalityspirituality.net/articles/the-michael-teachings/goal/growth/) and the fear pattern of Stubbornness (http://personalityspirituality.net/articles/the-michael-teachings/chief-features/stubbornness/) to see if they resonate for you. I also have Growth as it happens.
Cheers
@ Erica This is what I’ve got from a michael channel:
The classic Michael Teachings say that we are one soul level within one soul age, however I’m discovering that soul age is quite flexible. For instance, a person could be 70% 3rd level Old, and 30% 1st level Young. So, if you have your 7th level Old moments, that means you’re being 7th level Old in that moment.
You’ll know you’re fully in 7th level Old when you feel absolutely done with the physical plane, when there are no more issues, no more relationships, nothing pulling you into any kind of circumstance. You’ll absolutely love this world and at the same time have nothing more to do in it. You’ll float in the world happily, laughing like a child. You won’t care who’s running for office or who insults you or who loves you or doesn’t love you. It will be like stage scenery crumbling before your eyes, and you’ll experience profound freedom.
–> I also asked if i am 7th level old. To me it seems right that levels aren’t so rigid…? But I cannot prove that. Maybe you are mature 7 + looking into old soul perspective :/.
Greeting
I always thought of the Dalai Lama as being a relatively young soul. He stands out from other spiritual teachers in that way to me.
A thought-provoking article, but I have one qualm. When you reel off several well-known people who are old souls, there isn’t one mention of a FEMALE example. How odd, considering women have proven to be just as innovative and trailblazing in world history as much as their male counterparts. There’s something very ironic about an article on soul evolution overlooking the half of our species that has given birth to the likes of Gandhi, Jesus, Ben Kingslettc
Actually I mention two women and there is an image of a third. But I have no problem with correcting the imbalance and will get around to it at some point.
Great article. I have been to see a psychic healer for mutliple readings over the past five years. The readings are always extremely accurate and consistent. I have been told that I am very old soul, and this could be my last incanation if I choose. However, I certainly don;t feel like I am bringing in the wisdom of Ghandi or Buddha
But puttering around the garden and just being, that makes perfect sense. Also, I liked your information that in our earlier years, before 35-40 we may not be as formed and may look and act like younger souls. That certainly makes sense to me and how I spent my youth. As to the term “old soul” I think a lot of people use to generally mean “being here before”. You can see it in babies.
Also, much of what you state about old souls feeling apathy and “what’s it all for” and depression were confirmed in my various readings (as feeling states I have experienced) and also that of radiating calmness that helps others to focus, settle down and feel soothed.Very intersting to see this in your information.
Great, thanks Neddy.
how do you take someone’s soul.
You can’t.
Reading this article is quite interesting because I know what you mean when you say it resonates. I thank you for putting this here for it may help those in the world who are confused. It is true that soul age normally manifests later in life because we often go through all the confusion of our previous stages to reach our current one. However at 15 years I know I am an old soul at the last stage of reincarnation. The reason I stay is to help all those still here. Also I am a warrior soul which may seem strange considering I will be entering the healing profession. There are many ways to win battles and I know at my age blood doesn’t always have to be lost. Peace to all, may you all have good lives.
Bless you Sarah.
I’m 24 years old and have known this is the life I will complete in for a year now. It’s been hard because I yearn so badly for complete freedom but as my guardian spirits remind me every so often I must have patience. I see into peoples souls, and I offer advice and try to nudge as best as possible but I’ve noticed its very depressing for me to do so because the only person that can make someone change is that very individual… Its often pointed out that I have an aura of tranquility, most people dont understand my lack of interest in possestions (I find it strange I have a love for technology even if I care not to purchase any devices,) or my plans to seek refuge in nature in a small village in central america. Anyway, peace to all and good luck on all your journeys. Thanks for the great insight there are many truths to these writings.
Thanks. I once had a psychic therapist tell me that I was the oldest soul that she ever encountered, but I would beg to differ. I believe I am just at the beginning of this “old soul” stage; it was my profound, almost desperate interest in finding inner peace and spiritual union with all things that led her to think I was more schooled in that arena than I actually am! I would give my eye teeth to live a simple life with the highest principle being compassion and healing, of myself, the earth, and everyone around me – but I am still far too neurotic to consider myself a master of any of this! But here’s to ambition? I’ll take this website as a little brochure into this territory I’ve stumbled into as of this incarnation.
Thanks, Heidi.
I was recently told that a younger soul cannot read an older soul,as they don’t have the experience.. I wondered if this was true ?
Hi. Not sure if by “read” you mean empathise and understand, or do you mean as in psychic reading. Either way, I think the answer is that their reading is limited to what they themselves can understand, and that determines what they “project” onto others.
Reading others is a basic human / soul ability, but it changes as we evolve. Even infant souls (the very youngest), who in our society can come across as retarded or psychopathic, can be good at reading signals from others. In this case, though, they are simply figuring out how to behave to get what they want in the immediate present, but not understanding the other in any depth at all.
Baby souls (stage 2) will judge others’ characters by their actions – they will read another as good or evil, “one of us” or “one of them”, based on their moral conformity or lack of it. But they have no sense of others’ inner worlds, so cannot understand (nor care) WHY someone would want to not conform. They project moral commitments onto others, and so might also fail to understand that an infant soul who happens to commit an act of savagery is simply an innocent being with limited perceptions and choices, not an out-and-out savage “type” bent on evil.
Young souls (stage 3) understand themselves and others as self-motivated actors. You act the way you do because you have some personal motive or ambition or political agenda which you hope to achieve. So their reading of others is more individualised and street-smart than baby souls’, but it lacks empathy for older souls’ deeper motivations such as existential suffering, or an understanding of higher reasons such as longing for a more peaceful world. So a young soul’s reading of, say, the Dalai Lama, would be about his political motives and tactics, not his existential pain or spiritual vision. Likewise, a young soul might read (project) ambitious personal agendas onto infant and baby souls, when those younger souls are actually more innocent and naive than that.
Mature souls (stage 4) have a much richer understanding of the inner world we all share. They tend to assume that everyone has their own perfect right to be who they are and do what they do. They perceive that we are all kind of in this together, making it up as we go along, and none of us has the right or best way. So whereas a young soul will assume you have a personal (secret?) agenda, a mature soul will respect that you have personal preferences but might assume that what you REALLY want is for everyone to get along and make the world a better place for all. In this, they can be completely mistaken in their reading of younger souls, who don’t often care so much about the state of the world. A mature soul can, if they get around to thinking about it, completely appreciate other individuals or cultures on their own terms, empathising with their experiences of life and the choices they have made. They respect and welcome others’s differences and diversity, whereas a younger soul would judge those as threats or opportunities. Mature souls’ reading of others is limited, however, by their inexperience at being able to step out of the framework of human dramas and see the bigger picture of life – the wholeness, the perfection, the infinite beauty, the potential for joy. They might fail to appreciate, for example, why old souls can be so weirdly eccentric and not care about important social concerns.
So finally the old soul (stage 5) has been there and done everything, and therefore, you might think, is best able to read others in their entirety. The problem is, and this applies to all stages above, we all tend to view others as having the same perceptions and choices as are available to ourselves. So for example, an old soul might wonder why a mature soul would stay in a poor relationship [to get it right], when the “obvious” thing as far as they are concerned is to let it go and move on. An old soul might fail to understand why younger souls expend so much energy trying to change the world or make a success of themselves, when the “obvious” thing to do is relax and enjoy the freedom of the moment. An old soul can, if they put their mind to it, develop their understanding of others at these different stages. Those who do, by the way, make the best therapists and gurus.
So, as a rule, we are best at reading those who are at the same level as ourselves, while with others we tend to automatically project onto them the same perceptions, desires and choices which we experience. For a younger soul to “read” an older soul, they would have to have at least an intellectual understanding of what the view is like from up there (which I as a mature soul, for example, try to have of the old soul perspective). They CAN respect and appreciate that things are different for that other, if they are aware of this reincarnational framework for example, but ultimately they won’t get how or why. And the more likely scenario is, they won’t even notice that the other has a more evolved perspective at all. They will unconsciously “reduce” the other’s mind and choices to their own level.
Im a old soul that’s cool althought I really don’t care. I just posted to get some students. if they choose to listen .
this all makes so much sense to me on such a deep level. it didnt give me any knowledge, only reassurance as to whom i am… i mean such has made sense to me but i already knew of this and it feels very familiar, this knowledge, everything here intrigues me so very much and everything fits in tightly, its just that even though i lay detached from nearly everything, other than my guitar and my girlfrind, or partner, i cannot pursue this because of my age. you may think so but i am actually 14 years of age going unto 15 years of age this coming winter and all the knowledge in my head always make me think about a bigger being and meaning but still as though as if everything means something and has its importance, but not to me, and my mind and body are not the same, and i nearly never talk like this except when theres this feeling inside of me that compells me to speak in such a characteristic matter and i realize, though off on a rabbit trail, people i dont know but i know about them and it feels like i know them in such a way maybe at one time i knew them, and i feel as though i dont fit in with anybody but it doesnt bother me and really.. i feel as though i am a wanderer of this world, until the end of days and it just……… deeply moves me that thought and even though i am physically young, i am wise beyond my years and have a great understanding of everything, but through words i cannot speak of such to others, i am fully capable, but the understanding really comes out in words rather than my voice, and i would very like to discuss to whomever mey help me be able to be a “wanderer of this world, until the end of days”
Hi warne, Friend me on Facebook: Eleanor Rose. Do you feel as if something is pulling you towards it, but you cannot yet describe what it is exactly? If you are seeking answers, read The Present at http://www.truthcontest.com. Feel free to message me on facebook too.
i am still not sure about all this , I have dreams just like everyone does,and never thought much about it before,until I opened up to my wife about one dream ,about me seeing a grave full of pink flowers ,no headstone above it was the grave a morther and baby there were lots of people upset standing around ,in a grave yard that I konw off but have not been since the death of my gradad in 2004,it seemed so real I knew where i was standing when all this was happening, my wife has been going to a soul temple for the past 8-9 weeks and told me to stop the dream playing on my mind go and see it was all adream ,we went this week not only was there a grave of a women and child ,there was pink flowers ,no headstone and in the place where my dream had told me .I am unsure what to make from this but needless to say freaket me out
Wow, interesting.
You don’t say when the dream occurred – one possibility is that you were asleep, left your body and “attended” the funeral, though if you only sleep/dream at night i guess that doesn’t really fit. But i have heard that one of the “tasks” we sometimes perform while asleep is leave our bodies and offer assistance to others transitioning between life and death. Did you have any sense of purpose or mission in the dream?
Another possibility is that your soul had some sort of connection with the deceased, perhaps as soul siblings, which you cannot consciously remember. The death might have been a significant event for your soul. Do you have some emotional after-effect, like grief or longing or fear?
Or possibly it’s just that some random event leaked psychically into your dream world. I don’t actually know if that ever happens – I’m just thinking about possibilities.
nice!!!!!!!!!!
Im sorry, but Jesus is a saviour for our sins, and Buddha is a man made worship idol.
Lol. That same ‘worship idol’ thing can be said about Jesus (and I’m coming from a Christian vantage point). I’m 100% sure that those two were actually both on the same wavelength when they were on earth, and it was the practioners of the ‘religions’ that misconstrued their original messages. Both taught the same thing of brotherly love and being ‘in this world, but not of it’.
btw, Buddha is a title, and the guy that ‘started’ Buddhism was Siddhartha Gautama, or Gautama Buddha. Like saying “Jesus Christ”.
[ hopefully you're not an internet troll and I didn't just waste my time in responding to this... :/ ]
It’s been obvious to me for years that Im a very old soul. My spiritual journey began in 2009 when I turned 19, but I felt sparks of it long before that. If its true about the last stage of the old soul, Im on it. The physical plane is not something to want out of, instead we need to learn how to be in the present moment, the here and now. That is where all souls will find true peace and enlightenment. Enlightenment isnt just for old souls now that the truth can be known by everyone who is ready to know it.
“Ask and you shall receive (truth).” – Jesus
Visit http://www.truthcontest.com and read “The Present” to learn the truth about life and how to become ‘enlightened’. Truth is were we will find fulfillment that endures.
Eleanor Rose (Find me or Truth Contest on Facebook.)
Hmm I see some of these comments and they make me think: How can anyone be on their very last life cycle when they do not even understand how life works and how to enjoy life in every moment? Hardly anyone knows the truth about how life actually works. The truth is “that which is”. It’s even more rare to know of someone who is truly in the present moment at all times because it is just now that the truth is ready to be seen by the world.
This is the whole purpose of our human existence to know truth and become truth so if you have not found the truth, you will still be stuck on this earth and possibly go back to the bottom of the totem pole if you neglect the truth once you have found it.
i have been told by 5 different ppl that am an old soul with way i act..now i see why they say so..thanks anyway
Cheers Ekom
hello barry. i am really considering getting in touch with a michael channel to confirm some information about my essence. i have this nagging feeling inside of me. any suggestions and recommendations about any michael channels you personally know? or are you a michael channel yourself?
also… i want to confirm one thing about Jesus Christ. You see, i read one pdf file you uploaded in http://www.box…. something website (i don’t remember clearly). it was channeled messages from michael from i think 1970′s.
michael said that Jesus died on the cross. but a recent discovery of mine from the person Osho (he was listed as an old soul in this website), said that Jesus never died on the cross but lived a long life in India after his body was stolen by his followers. any comment about this?
i am just really confuse and curious.
Hi Angel
You can see a comprehensive list of Michael channels here:
http://www.michaelteachings.com/mresources.html
Based on my own experience, there are some I would recommend and some I would avoid, but I’m not going to say too much in an open forum. The one I have used most is Victoria Marina.
You might want to check out my post on how different channels “got” Barrack Obama to give you some idea of the level of consistency and discrepancies to expect;
http://personalityspirituality.net/2009/09/07/the-soul-of-barack-obama/
Hope this helps.
PS – I have read multiple accounts of the crucifixion, including several purportedly from Jesus himself (Google Jeshua channelings). It is possible that both versions are true, i.e. he died on the cross and he subsequently visited India – according to this site (http://www.askrealjesus.com/askrealjesus/jesusanswers/jesuslife/tombsrinagar.html) he returned toEarth after death in a sort of dense light-body. I honestly don’t know what to believe, but there are many fascinating possibilities. The “Issa” tomb in India is very intriguing.
thanks a lot for your reply. i could start from here. i love this website by the way, great source of information.
I believe that everything happens for a reason. That every single person who has visited this website was meant to see it & learn from it in some way. We are all connected in this world, and our paths were meant to be crossed. Since you are reading this, that means I have made a choice. Neither a good choice, nor a bad choice, as there is no such thing. It was just a choice. I made the choice to send you this comment. And every little choice we make in this world adds up to how we evolve & what our future lives will be like. It was my choice to click on this website, and I have learned much from it, as I will with many other sources. But I believe that the most important thing you have taught me is this: WE CHOSE TO ENTER THIS WORLD SO THAT WE COULD MAKE CHOICES.
And with that, I thank you. This is what I needed to know. It answers any possible question I could have asked. It is no coincidence that I learned this from you at this particular point & time in my life. It was my choice.
Stanna, I am absolutely delighted that you have gleaned something so profound. I agree, it is the most essential insight.
I pondered, wondered, and perhaps in the future inquire the true age of my soul. If an older soul… then that would be totally awesome, and hopefully when I complete my work here(hopefully)… enjoy a nice long vacation at “home.” On the same coin if I am a younger soul… then there’s more work to be done!
To place physical evidence as to determine one’s soul age comes into question… I read somewhere that when the early humans began contemplating their existence… that’s when the human souls long spiritual journey flows outward. This helped shaped the human being as it recognizes itself in a foreign land or respectfully named, “reality.”
Then again read somewhere that humans have been inseminated from various alien races. The common information is that is out now requires some inquiries, that the human lineage extends back 1.5 million years, in original form. Whatever the truth is, it’s definitely out there.
I like to think of everything is an experience, and every experience is valuable, and this article and related ones in spirituality allows the mind to freely contemplate these various ideas, and perhaps find a truth, and then achieve inner peace, closure, or more questions.
Allowing to discuss these topics without getting killed by a nut-ball, getting pelted by a hacky sack, being run over by a flat tire, or laughing out loud after farting in an elevator is so totally beyond true cool.
Wisdom from others as they are willing to speak from the heart, where the soul generates it’s true nature. This is perhaps how a soul expresses to others from it’s own experience, from their own unique perspective.
I like the old soul description, if I am in tune with this energy, then my heart is blessed with a long spiritual experience, and maybe not all easy one, like this current incarnation, ha!
Eh, what do I know…
Excellent old soul description, thank you!
Many thanks, Joseph.
Greetings Barry –
I recently discovered the Michael Teachings about 9 months ago and have frequented the website and yours since. The knowledge that is being shared here rang true since the moment I read it, since my subconscious self already knew it. There are many evolved souls that have chosen to come to this planet in this particular time frame to help raise the consciousness level of humanity, which has been lost or suppressed for far too long. You are doing humanity a great service by providing this excellent resource of information and I hope you continue to add more as you evolve within your time here.
I have a couple of questions:
- Have you ever studied the reading of auras and how they relate to our particular level of evolution? For instance, those who have a violet aura close to their bodies are typically older souls who are visionaries and have an inner drive to help humanity evolve. A great resource for this type of information can be found at http://www.auracolors.com/ by Pamala Oslie.
- Are you familiar with the spiritual teacher/psychic Sylvia Browne? I discovered her about 15 years ago and her philosophies completely pushed me into the spiritual awakening I had right after high school. The reason I mention her is because the reincarnation and karma knowledge that she teaches parallels well with the Michael Teachings, including the choosing of our lives and soul evolution. When I read Michael Newton’s books regarding life between lives, it was like discovering Sylvia all over again, ‘knowing’ that what i was reading was the truth that my subconscious has always known (she also teaches about auras).
Thanks again for your wonderful website and don’t ever lose sight of your vision, we are all so much more powerful than we could ever imagine and we are truly living in a great time of spiritual and conscious awakening. The ‘old’ paradigm of greed, hatred and ignorant thinking is being replaced by the level of consciousness that we are all born with but have lost or forgotten. The souls that are destined to spread the information that you provide will undoubtedly be visiting and sharing what is here.
~ Mike from Mentor, OH
Hi Mike, and thank you so much for the kind words.
- Sylvia Browne: Yes, I think I read one of her books a while back (though have you seen the Wikipedia entry about her lately?).
- Auras: actually, someone else mentioned the same thing recently but didn’t give a link, so thanks for that. I am really interested to learn more, and of course it fits with the Michael Newton discovery about the evolving soul’s light changes.
Barry
Hello,
Can a soul evolve backwards? So eg say something bad has happened to someone and they are filled with fear and anger or even hate which they hadn’t felt before, can they develop back to a younger soul state or are these always breaking points to be overcome to be able to evolve forward to the next soul stage?
Thank you!
I would say “evolving backwards” cannot happen. What does happen is that life continually triggers parts within us that are as yet un-evolved or are hidden away or are in need of healing.
As you know, we are here to evolve. That means gradually discovering, accepting and expressing who we really are through lived experience. At the same time, a major component of lived experience is fear and how we cope with it. So along the way, as we evolve, we develop fear-based attitudes and habits (such as hating certain kinds of people). If we didn’t, our evolution would have nothing to work on/with. An Infant soul who feels hatred is actually making progress – hatred is more proactive than blind fear.
This goes on through all our evolution in human form – not until the final levels as an Old soul are we “done” with the lessons of fear and negativity (including hostility to others). So a Mature or Old soul who feels hatred isn’t de-evolving to a younger stage but is finding some part of itself that has been left behind and is now being brought up to the surface.
We actually plan this stuff to happen before birth. For example, one might have developed a hatred of powerful men through several lifetimes of abuse and not standing up for oneself. Now in this life, as one is more evolved than before, that hatred could be triggered in a specific relationship precisely as an opportunity for it to be dealt with.
So feeling negativity isn’t a step backwards in evolution. It may instead be an opportunity to revisit an unconscious part of oneself that is ready to “catch up” with one’s true consciousness level.
If that make sense…
Yes, it does. Thank you
Hi Barry, I would like to ask what the michael channelers have to say about the “long awaited infinite soul” in this very interesting year. Thanks.
Not a lot that I’m aware of. I think this one might explain it:
“the Infinite Soul was a high probability for manifesting previous to 2000 CE, but as human consciousness shifted and has evolved in a way that does not require “intervention,” the Infinite Soul probabilities have declined drastically. This is Good Work…
As for 2012, we do not see it as having any more significance than any other year, especially since the calendar calculations are quite “off” in terms of the Mayan Calendar, but it will not be a year without elaborate events, particularly as the self-fulfilling prophecy is in high probability among many expecting (creating) events.”
— http://library.truthloveenergy.com/Michael-Teachings/people-need-celebrity/
I’m only 16 years old but i honestly feel like I’m an old man finally realizing what the world is about. In the past year I’ve been meditating and learning about various spiritual topics, I almost connected with my spirit guide at one point, tears filled my eyes, but apparently it was not to be so. I got a nosebleed right after, and apparently that is connected metaphysically. I know I am an old soul, and I think quite old at that. I may also be a king soul to a high degree. My desire in life is not to succeed in business, I would honestly be content with selling crafts on the side of the road in mexico forever. I do have a strong sense of apathy, and am physically and mentally tired of the physical world. I’m not sure why my spirituality has come out at such a young age but I’m very glad, as that gives me more time to learn and live a happier life! I’m just worried that this apathy will make it hard for me to actually earn a living so that I will not starve etc. I know I have much to learn and I know that I will learn. I’m extremely confident in my spirituality, no one can scare me by telling about things like hell and God’s wrath. I do not live to please god if he/she does so exist, Im just answering to the universe and what it has in store for me next. Thanks for posting all of this information, blew me away how much applied directly to my life!
Thanks Julian, great to hear from you.
B
Dear Barry,
Thank you very much for this series of articles. It really helps me better understand myself and others : why we are the way we are, what our real motivations are, and so on. It is amazing! I definitely want to learn more about Michael’s teachings now!
Great. Thanks Nina
B
I have something very odd going on. I often act as an old soul would, but I find myself slipping from one type of soul to the next constantly. I have these periods where I feel very awakened. The next moment I am consumed entirely with the material world. When I speak of spiritual…… stuff, I say things without thinking about it, things I didn’t know, but then I know they’re true. And I’m learning all the lessons of all lives at once. I’m only 13, but I am told all the time that I could be an old woman the way I speak. Have any of you ever heard of this?
Hi Lillian
It’s possible that you are an old soul – I can’t really tell – but if so, you won’t be fully manifesting your “true age” until you are around 35-40. You see, in each life, no matter what our soul’s level of development, we always start from scratch. We are born into a tiny human body and our mind is equivalent to that of an Infant soul. Over the years, we gradually move up the ladder of consciousness (not in our soul age, but in how we are manifesting in this human body). It takes about four decades for us to completely awaken to our soul’s true consciousness level in each life.
At the age of 13 I would expect you to be thinking and acting generally like a Young soul (worldly, ambitious, competitive). But if you are already “peaking” every now and then, having wise insights beyond your years, then that’s great, and probably indicates you’re not a Young soul.
Please bear in mind that there’s nothing wrong with being a Young soul, and there is nothing special about being an Old soul. Also bear in mind that spirituality as such is not necessarily a sign of soul development. There can be keen interest in spirituality at every stage, but the quality of spirituality evolves.
Cheers
Barry
Barry,
This is all so very interesting… I will be 31 in 2 weeks.. I have been on my journey off and on for many years.. Always knowing I am spiritual, more so than others around me but I also pushed it down to fit in and be apart of those around me… I am unsure of my soul age, when I read old soul it feels like home, yet I also more match mature … I also have been able to see auras of those around me since a child (gifted to me around 7-8 to as a way to ensure my safety around people) I am just now letting that come out to those closest to me, they say well we always wondered what u meant as vibe… It was my code for what I saw in people, I have never been wrong tho I will try to talk myself out of the negative sometimes that I see in people. I guess I am asking where do I go from here? I know I am meant to be a spiritual teacher or resource but I am lacking the courage to move into this 100%. Not that I am scared, just that I am not sure how to go about things. It is very hard to put this all into words. I hope you are able to understand. Thx for any advice you can give me.
Hi Kelly
Sounds to me like you’re doing the right thing – gradually “coming out” to people you can trust, gaining confidence in revealing this aspect of yourself, until you finally get to the point where you feel safe to “go public”.
I’ve been through a similar thing myself. I always felt I was meant to write meaningful stuff, but until I was about 40 I had no idea what that would be or how I would write it.
Over the next ten years or thereabouts you will come to manifest your true soul age. This means you will want to drop any less-mature tendencies, recognising that such habits feel false to you now. (It also means dropping any more-mature pretences, settling into your true consciousness rather than wishing/hoping to be a highly advanced old soul. Unless of course you really are a highly advanced old soul…!)
Also, over the next 10 years or so, your sense of purpose will come more and more into focus. It’s as if the first 3 or 4 decades of our lives are training grounds, preparing us psychologically for what we have really come to do in the second half of life (the life task we set ourselves). This period is a major turning point in many people’s lives, especially if they have been going down an “irrelevant” path before sensing their real purpose. It sounds like you a sensing that your aura reading gift and spiritual sense is your purpose — that may well be it, or there may be something more specific than that. Just follow your heart and allow it to gradually come to you. There is always a combination of deep personal fulfilment and real benefit to others in one’s life purpose.
You can also meditate on it. I once did a meditation in which I just sat for 45 minutes deeply asking myself “What is my life’s purpose?”, letting my Self speak for itself. What came to me eventually was: “To find something really worth saying to others, and then to say it with exquisite clarity.”
I hope this helps.
Barry
Thank you so very much!
From the reading everything points to me being an old soul. And before even knowing about any of this I have always been told by people close to me that I have an old soul. But the problem is I know I well always want to come back. No matter what stage I am in or have completed. Once a person completes all the stages can they still come back if they want?
Well, it would be a bit like going back to your old college after you’ve graduated, and having already taken every class. You would likely do so as a teacher, not as a student.
How can I find out about my past souls, does hypnosis really work? I have an attachment of sorts to the old world, I believe I may have some buried memories and would just love to uncover some of the lives I may have lived, one or two specificly…I can feel some strong personality traits that may be considered complete opposite of each other and would like to uncover where that or who that comes from…..
Any suggestions?
Hi CarrieAnn
I would recommend that you start here:
http://www.spiritualregression.org/search.php
The people listed there are all trained in past life regression.
Cheers
Barry
Nothing about Nikola Tesla,how about to investigate and post an entire page?I think allot of people are willing to know including me what soul he was.
I guess he is an old king (priest)
Im an old soul, but I have the desire to be a navy seal. I understand the karma that I will gain and I really dont want anymore karma. I just dont understand why I have the desire to be in that proffession…
My guess – you are probably a Warrior soul type, with a natural love of the action, camaraderie and loyalty that goes with being in conflict, which you may well have experienced many times over in previous lives.
If you are an old soul… Notable Old Warrior souls are said to include the actors Judi Dench and Robert Redford, actor/director Clint Eastwood, the writer Jack London, and the spiritual teacher G. I. Gurdjieff.
Articles like these always get me teary.
I’ve been assured of (regrown into?) my soul age for just a few years now, and reminders that there are more ‘like me’ around helps stave off the depression/apathy/loneliness I’ve struggled with lifelong.
Anyway! For the past few years, I’ve been meditating on the struggles/lessons I’ve encountered in this incarnation. Most of them I’ve been able to identify, but one thing always struck me as an unnecessary hassle for someone of my soul age:
I was born to late baby/early young souled parents.
Is this a common choice? I suspect I picked them partly to teach myself a lesson in patience (and help broaden their minds– reincarnation was taboo in our household, and they still cling to religion to cope with their fear of death). I identify perfectly with the old motto, “I’ll do what I do, you’ll do what you do”… which begs the question: Why did I pick a pair of frightened, spiritually naive souls to raise me? They’re hardly appreciative of their child having deviated from their beliefs.
Sometimes I wonder what I was thinking.
Hi Melissa
I know what you mean
One factor is that there are simply more baby/young souls than there are mature/old souls at this time, and the latter group aren’t as likely to have big families, so on a purely statistical basis there is a stronger chance that a soul’s birth parents are going to be younger rather than older.
As to why you would have specifically chosen those individuals as parents, I can only speculate. I get the impression that they had fixed, conventional beliefs, as might be expected, which you would have had to choose to break away from in order to be true to yourself. That may be the very challenge you set yourself, perhaps having not managed to do so in a previous life.
It’s also possible that your pursuit of an alternate path has had some subtle effect on your parents, even if just raising their curiosity to look beyond what they take for granted out of fear. So win-win at a soul level.
Hi… I’m sorry I’m sure you get this question a ton, but I just can’t tell which stage or type of soul I am. And I’m incredibly curious about it. I know, since you don’t know me, that you can’t just tell me what I am, but is there any way I could find out easily…? I read the articles but can’t seem to pinpoint it exactly. I’m 15, and I’ve been told I have an old soul, but after reading the article I know I’m not there yet.
Hi Clara, nice to hear from you.
If you want to know what type you are, you could try the quiz I set up at: http://www.quibblo.com/quiz/atufj3C/Discover-Your-Soul-Type
I can sometimes tell from photos of people’s faces, but not always.
As for your soul age, at 15 it’s hard to tell from observing yourself in action. We don’t usually manifest our true level until aged around 35-45. But if you are serious about finding out, you’ll have to get a reading from a Michael channel. There’s a list at the bottom of this page:
http://personalityspirituality.net/articles/the-michael-teachings/
Cheers
Barry
I answered as honestly as I possibly could and got the Warrior soul on your quiz. That does sound like how I am in general, I admit. I’m slightly confused though because several of those aspects were like me and I’m sure they weren’t all warrior traits; for example, the first question I answered being creative and having weird and wonderful ideas! Surely we can be mixtures of different types as we have different traits associated with them?
Hi skyespitfire
Yes, you are absolutely right. To keep things simple, I mostly describe the roles as though each of us embodied one and only one type. However, it is more accurate to say that each of us embodies a primary type (role in essence) which is modified by the subtle effect of a secondary type (… and that in turn is affected by an even subtler influence).
So in addition to our archetypal role or soul type, each of us brings additional archetypal energies into life. This is due to the way we are organised as souls, such that each of us has a unique “team role” (this referred to as “casting” – see … http://personalityspirituality.net/articles/the-michael-teachings/casting-your-place-in-the-cosmos/). This modifies how our essence operates in life.
In my case, for example, I am a Scholar. That is, my primary role in the universe is the type that is objective, studious, bookish, dry, etc. However, within my little “team” (soul group) of Scholars, I hold the Sage position, so along with my primary thrust as a Scholar I also bring a Sage-like energy of expressiveness. This means that as a Scholar I like to share my accumulating knowledge with an attention-grabbing sense of wit and wisdom.
Thus, we can sense more than one role within ourselves, though one will be predominant and the other will be secondary. In your case, skyespitfire, you do strike me as a Warrior-Artisan mix, though I’m not sure which is primary (essence) and which is secondary (casting).
This is fascinating.
This is fascinating. I’m 43 now and I believe that I can say that I am an old soul. But it’s been such a long and difficult journey to get there. I used to be so shy and never fit it, spent a lot of time loathing myself, had alcohol problems, deep depressions followed by periods of elation…so much angst within myself. I wasn’t in control of my life, willpower was useless. When I look back I can’t believe how much resilence it took me to get there and if it wasn’t for my faith I would never have made it. Or maybe I had a guardian angel to protect me form above
My question is : in order to get there do old souls necessarily always have to cope with suffering, and if so why ? What’s the point of suffering for an old soul ? Also since the old soul stage is the last soul stage, what’s in store in the next incanation ?
Hi LightWarrior
I think suffering is to the soul what pain is to the body – a signal that something is “wrong” and in need of attention. But I would also add that the nature of suffering, and our attitude to it, are things that change as we evolve (along with the definition of “wrong”).
A baby soul, for example, could suffer mightily if he/she breaks a religious commandment and then feels tormented with guilt and the fear of eternal damnation, whereas an older soul would be much more blasé about it.
In contrast, what you call suffering in this life (existential angst?) might sound like meaningless piffle to a much younger soul who has never experienced it.
I suppose the purpose of suffering is that it is something we bump into to get us to re-evaluate our current perceptions, choices and actions. If a man, for example, were to get so drunk that he hurt his wife and children, he might suffer terrible guilt afterwards, and that suffering would cause him to address and rethink his values — “Wait, why would I prioritise getting drunk over the well-being of my family?”
For an old soul, the scenarios that cause suffering might be more subtle, but the potential for suffering is always there so long as we are human, as is the potential for physical pain. The attitude to pain, however, can change. Ramana Maharshi experienced the pain of cancer, yet no one described him as suffering from it.
Not sure what you mean by the last question; can you clarify?
Barry
Thanks for your reply. My question was more specific about the inadequacy that an old soul has to deal with the physical reality. From my readings it seems that most old souls have to go through a great deal of suffering before it comes together (take someone like the wonderful Judith Orloff for instance). And like you said it’s difficult to know what soul stage you’re at before reaching the age of 40. I’ve had faith and many spiritual awakenings for the last 21 years but most of the time I had to deal with so many demons or existential angst, I had so many fears. But the real and lasting awakening started 1 or 2 years ago as far as I’m concerned. Why does it usually take that long for an old soul ? As if I needed to earn it…
The second question was about what happens to an old soul that has decided that the reincarnation cycle is complete and doesn’t want/need another incarnation ? Does it become some sort of a floating soul around the earth ?
This entire article, seriously moves me inside. The day I was born, my family gave me the nickname “Beena” saying “it’s like you been-a here before.” til this day everyone who knows me says I am way before my time and say I have an Old Soul… I am only 20yrs old now. I wouldnt say I have an old soul, but I can seriously grasp the concept and relate to the description of a Mature soul. Ppl say I have a gift, I seem to know words to older songs Ive never heard, Im more so Spiritual – meaning I enjoy identifying with multiple cultures and religions rather than being defined by one. I try to look at life from every perspective and possibility not necessarily defining anything as right or wrong. I accept ppl for who they are, live and let live. Random Elders or those I know will always stop me and say “Are you an Angel?” or “you must be one of God’s Angels” – for no reason… It literally scares me. Anyone who makes eye contact with me, smiles for no reason. random ppl just start talking to me for no reason. Animals are the same way lol. Lately, Ive been focused on my love life… 24/7. Not sure why, because a few years ago, I could have cared less whether I was in a relationship or not. I was only interested in becoming this big time Cardiovascular Surgeon, I wanted to be famous for saving lives, performing difficult but successful surgeries.. but once I started college in Biochemistry, I became very unhappy like everything I thought I wanted, I suddenly stopped caring about everything. Honestly, after being with my boyfriend for 3 yrs now (He is an Old Soul truly by the way), I started looking at the bigger picture of life. Now, I am in search of what path I want to pursue, I am very talented and educated so the possibilities are endless for me. I ponder the true meaning of life and what my purpose here is exactly. Im learning who I am as a person and learning to better accept people as a whole. I dont approve of today’s society and corruptness, I wish I could open everyone’s else tot he Truth, however it is my opinion mixed in with a variety of actual facts about the world. I dont want to change the world, just better it for the sake of mankind. Things would be better and smore simple if everyone just lived and let lived. My boyfriend is what the world considers an “arrogant, selfish, bum..” He has never been materialist – he doesnt have much to his name, all he has is his son, very little money and the clothes on his back plus trash bags to hold the clothes and other small possessions, he has never had a car, or house, nothing. He has been homeless almost his entire life and doesnt mind sleeping on the streets if he has too. He will literally disappear for days, going on his own journeys around the city, doing whatever, whenever and always come home with a story to tell of some enlightenment within himself or how he had to get one of his friends “together” because he had a feeling they were on the wrong path of destruction. But ppl are quick to judge and outcast those they dont understand. He is far from arrogant and selfish – in fact, he is the most intelligent, honest, philosophical and caring person I know. He has guided me through many life lessons, and still has a lot to teach me. When I say, I have never known anyone like him – I mean that with all seriousness. He talks in a way that if you dont listen and pay attention carefully, you will completely misunderstand what he is trying to tell you. I believe he has some insights or visions, because he always “warns” me about events that havent happened, but always end up happening.. whether its days later, or months, or even a year later. He always just knows… His lessons arent always nurturing or soft inn the moment, he is the tough love kind of person sometimes, but it helps, he always says he will make anyone stronger mentally and physically if they come into his life. He literally gets up EVERYDAY and goes to work with no pay for 12+ hrs a day to help a blind man run a simple business, he has his own path in life and he could care less if anyone agrees or approves of his methods and ways of living. He is content with himself and his lifestyle. He says “I am who I am, I have always been me, I change for no one, you either accept me for me, or you go about your life and do you.” And me being a Mature soul, I feel like I’ve found a Diamond in the rough. I accept him as he is and wouldnt want him any other way, because then, he wouldnt be him, he wouldnt be the man I fell in love with. He touches my soul, and says I am the love of his life… that means a lot considering his past. I may be young but it scares me to think “what will I do without him when he passes on?” I have never known one person to be like him, so I know I will never know another to be like him. Once his soul reaches that final level, and completes that journey, my soul will still be here and it brings tears to my eyes everytime because I wonder “will his soul remember me? will we ever meet again?” Our souls might reincarnate on two different ends of the world… We both already feel like we were never supposed to meet, our worlds crossed by some glitch.. I was raised in the proper society, and went to a top notch university. He came from the streets, places where dying at 18yrs old is normal. he is far from proper, but he isnt your typical ghetto. Im a Gemini, he is a Sagittarius. we are so opposite that we are alike and vice versa. He is my Soulmate, if I never knew one… he says he doesnt believe in big fancy weddings, but he doesnt mind being with me Forever and giving me his last name lol. and with that statement he gave me this beautiful, little golden ring with a sweet little flower carved at the top where a diamond would sit if it had been that kind of ring. He isnt big on material things, so when Im nagging about all ive given to him vs. what he has given to me – he always shuts me down by saying “you have given me a lot of STUFF compared to what ive given, thats because I dont have any money and dont care. But you can never say I havent given you anything because you wear that ring on your finger everyday and you carry my heart with you wherever you go. That should be worth more to you than anything in this world.” Old Soul indeed.
Thank you so much Mimi. I think it’s pretty certain you two agreed to get together this time – and don’t worry, the soul never forgets.
Cheers
Barry
Ah now I understand my “been there, done that” attitude a bit more and why as a child I started being my parents’ therapist lol. When you are an old soul, there is nothing like running into another old soul, especially one you have known before! So great to feel that immediate “click” and unspoken understanding especially because we so often feel like we aren’t fully understood and can’t deeply connect with most people. It’s difficult to share yourself with someone else when the depth of who you are often feels infinite. You guys know what I mean? Bumping into old soul soulmate has happened to me four times the past year, now that my life is becoming synchronisitc.
With one of them the recognition was so strong that we actually both acknowledged it, hugged each other, cried, and she said “it is so wonderful to see you again!” One thing I find is true for all old souls – we must live in alignment or we become bitter and sad. Thanks for the article, very insightful.
Excellent – thanks Hannah
B
Thank you Hannah, your comment was inspiring. I feel the distance from my human peers… but those I’m positive I have prior special past lives with are totaly unaware. I do find alignment critical but I beleive at this stage it just keeps life a little simpler. thank you
Wow this is beautiful.
thank you.
Certainly brought me to an awareness in which i hadnt been seeking, and am grateful to have found.
Interesting! Some years ago I was told that I was an ‘advanced’ soul. Yes, I’ve had a bag load of experiences, lived in countries and cities but of course there are still the trials that life puts before me. Can never seem to escape those. I’m still yet to work out what my purpose is (although I’ve been told I will be a ‘teacher’ and yet I don’t feel any passion to do this) and I’ve just began M/Meditation. Let’s hope it works.
Would it be fair to say… It’s long into adulthood or even later in life, before we see our true stage emerge? So many characteristics have applied for a fraction of time through the years of my life. Now I’m 43 and I can tell with certainty many, many of those characteristics have faded greatly. I feel it took the first 40 years to start to really feel – not find – but feel myself. It comes in waves of just self comfort… while I was almost certain I was early stages of mature… I really just don’t know. I’m weird to many.. I enjoy life and am truly just happy experiencing. I enjoy all religions, I think they’re wonderful. I’m a vagabond of sorts, I move every year or two. i honestly believe if I didn’t have children I would be homeless… only because I feel corporate America was enslaving my body and paralyzing my soul. I need to feel that connection… that is all I need. That connection to us.
I remember being young, 5 or so and parents asked me for the truth… I replied “which version?”. My parents weren’t religious but I enjoyed the church three doors down from my house just the same. I used to sit and stare at the sun trying to control the clouds shading through the stained glass windows.
My youngest self and my self now are more connected then I feel they’ve ever been. I’m still trying to figure out which version of the truth everyone wants and I’m still trying to control…
Barry, I’ve spent a few days on your site and must tell you how truly enjoyable and refreshing it has been to find so much useful information in one location. Thank you
So glad you like it!
are there any female old souls? because the only ones you’ve listed are male.
Hi Emily
a) Yes, I would expect that approx. 50% of incarnate old souls are female.
b) Not quite, I’ve mentioned Ammachi and there’s a photo of Gangaji. I agree it looks imbalanced, and it’s on my to-do list to include more female examples; it’s just the sources I used at the time of writing happened to mention many more males than females.
barry
very interesting article, thanks.
My earliest memories as a young child up until young adult ive always felt sacure and connected with everything around me, from the onion grass that grew in my back yard, to things I had never seen in the world but I knew about(meaning I was aware of the fact that there were so many things I had not learned yet and how those things were connected to me and everything else- ONENESS) & I didnt even think to question it.. going through puberty I strayed away from self knowing on that level and got lost in wanting exceptance and love from my closest bonds (family/friends)i am 21yrs oknow and the last few months “snapped me back ” sort of speak.. In a 30 day period I experianced great trama; wanting so badly just to get on a happy achesuaufcl
I find this very interesting and get a sence of wellbeing when I read the article but… I feel better not really thinking about it. Let the influences of my inner conciousness guide my day-to-day decisions. Admittidly, I was a wild young adult but I tried not to hurt anyone. I recognise the disadvantages while I struggle with articulating the advantages to my teenage daughter. People have known the old soul concept and made references to this or that person “reminds” me of or, has some charastics resembling what “I” think an old soul is; I just think it is more important to act and communicate tolerance, empathy and treatment of others as I wish to be treated. Life is to be lived and it is wrong to allow yourself any self-pity that could lead to depression or worse. Live your life and deal with what you are given. Any efforts you make to hurry the process along is detrimental because, if you were to succeed in making it 3 instead of 35, you might miss out on something cool. Have confidence that you will make it eventually, use self-reflection when something doesn’t work out the way you wanted it to, look for opportunities to demonstrate accountability for things you wish you could change and live & learn as much as you can. It’s all good.
Cheers John
Hello, My name is Josh. I could not explain how much it would mean to me if you were able to read this and help me at the best of you’re ability.Ever since i was 6..I’ve had challenges and sad things that would constanlty happen to me….I’ve lost my grandfather…And my Dog…..My dad…And i have no brothers…..No sisters…And I’m currently 15..Notice the large amount of information i am giving..that’s because.I want to have awnsers..Because nobody else could awsner these for me…And i really want to know…Am i on the right path? I’m 200 pounds, 5’11 and i work out alot…I also play video games alot…Now those two are a horrible combination for me because it is so hard to do the two…..I workout seriously….Sometimes i cry…Sometimes i shout..And scream when i workout…..I am so tired of doing challenging things…But at the same time I’m not..And i want to continue doing things differently…..I want to challenge my self to the most i possible can because i personally believe in the thought of death being the only thing that limits you…..I beleive i can do anything…Because I’ve built a resistence to emotinal pain….It does not phase me…Only strengthens me…The death of my loved ones..The needs and wants that i struggle to get…The rejection of females…..The pain my heart goes thru……It does not put me into a “sad” state..It actually makes me stronger….When you see people workout…They usually stop when it starts to hurt..And very few people do it untill it really really reall yhurts and you just can’t take it…But the magoirty of the time i actually have my self get stopped..And not stop myself..Does that makes sence?? I’m trying to say that if i want…I could not let things stop me…But have something stop me…Example…If I’m working out..I don’t stop lifting the weights untill my body can no longer lift the weight……I don’t let emotions phase me…And i’ve stopped them from phasing me ever since i was 13….I listen to literally every single type of music..I don’t have a favorite….I do everything the hard way….And i have challenges constantly bashing into me….I believe my soul is something special…And i really want to know if it is….Because i’ve bin thru so much…..It feels like I’ve bin living for over a hundred years..I remember so many things…So many people…So many places I’ve bin….And i feel like some sort of legend..I don’t care about my looks…I’m a really nice guy…..I love animals. And i am the biggest fan of honour and fairness…If i had the choise to battle somebody..I would want to battle them with out any knowledge of kung fu or anything like that…Just you’re hands….I know i might sound crazy….And i probably am..Like i said I’ve bin thru alot and I’ve bin diagnosed with bi polar disoder…. Maniac depression, pyscotic depression….And i also have back issues..And feet probelms..I have to wear orthotics in my shoes….I want to be different… And i am different…What stage would you consider my soul being? Would you consider it special? Is there such thing as a special soul? Because i know its possible for other people to do the things i do..In the exact way i do them….But they don’t….Everybody is so in love wiht m oney and fame and looking good..But i don’t care..I care about doing things that i once thought i was un able to do….And discovering about the galaxy….ABout earth…My body is so tired.. And everytime i sleep nomatter how long i sleep I stil feel tired..I read that you’re mind could be tired…depending on how much stress you go thru and stuff…Since little to no people face the challenges i face…And do the things i do…What does that mean? I know that i can’t really say that because somebody in this world somewhere could be doing the things i do.But mos tlikely not EXACTLY how i do them…I don’t know anybody who challenges them self for every single thing they do….I’ve thought of killing my self at the age of 12..then 13..Then i stopped because i don’t want to do that…It’s weak and pathetic…That’s when i was able to go thru emotions without being phased..I want to say that I’m something special…And i was hoping somebody like you could help me..
Hi Josh
Here’s my impression based upon what you’ve said (and how you’ve said it).
• Soul type: Warrior – naturally drawn to strength, challenge, confrontation, heroism, loyalty.
• Soul age: not sure, but currently manifesting as early young soul – keen to learn “what’s different and special about me” – though the same is also true of many people in their teens.
Is there such a thing as a special soul? No, not in the sense that one soul stands out as being inherently better than the rest. All souls are of equal quality and merit. The more evolved souls are, perhaps, more radiant than the less evolved – but what they radiate is immense love and wisdom, not pride and glory.
It’s *possible* that you have recently lived a life of some importance (in human terms), and you can sense some echo of that. But it’s also possible that you are just getting carried away with your imagination. I can’t say either way.
A concern with one’s specialness is common at your (physical) age, but there is a “trap” to watch out for. There is nothing wrong with looking for one’s own specialness. It is an essential part of the human journey of self-discovery. The trap is imagining that you are special and no one else is. You see, the word “special” has two meanings. One is simply “unique, significant, important”, and the other is “more unique, more significant, more important than the rest.” The first is true of all of us. The second is a fantasy of the ego.
In a real sense, every single one of us is absolutely special — we are all unique, each with a unique place in the cosmos, and a unique part to play. And we are all free to unfold our unique gifts in whatever ways we choose. But there is no way in which one soul (or human) is, by nature, more important than another. To believe that you are is what is known as hubris or arrogance (see http://personalityspirituality.net/articles/the-michael-teachings/chief-features/arrogance/). To try to get others to confirm that you are special is what is known as narcissism.
Just something to watch out for.
I also get the impression that, perhaps unconsciously, you are at war with something. (Not uncommon for a Warrior!) Could it be death? Or possibly even life itself, since it includes pain and death. Not only would mortality impose the ultimate limitation on you (as a physical being), but it has also snatched away some of your loved ones and thereby caused you to feel terrible emotional pain — something that does not sit easily with a strong, masculine, determined, adolescent Warrior.
It is as if you are trying to defy life/death by “proving” that physical pain does not affect you. Or perhaps you are trying to numb yourself to physical pain in order to stop feeling whatever emotional pain that is still in there … Pain that could return in the future any time another loved one dies, or another girl rejects you.
I would caution you that emotional numbness is not a sound strategy. (If you want to get a sense of why that is, read my page on Self-Destruction (http://personalityspirituality.net/articles/the-michael-teachings/chief-features/self-destruction/) and in particular the readers’ comments below it.) Going out of touch with your emotions may be an effective temporary strategy at times — many soldiers in war certainly go that way, to numb themselves to all the horror (and sometimes to their own brutality). But war is an extreme situation, and as many soldiers find when they return home, being emotionally cut off and insensitive to feelings is not an effective strategy for ordinary life. In fact, it’s pathological. If you don’t care about your own emotions, you don’t care about other people’s emotions either. It’s like an essentially human part of you has died.
If you are, as I suspect, a Warrior, then I know you will like a challenge… So here’s one: see if you can be the sort of person who can feel the emotional pain of loss and grief, knowing that it won’t destroy you. I get that with bipolar disorder that might not be the most attractive option in the world, but neither is going to war against your emotional side.
Are you on the right path? Yes, if you are *choosing* your path. The choices we make, both big and small, become the path we take and shape the life we life. Another one of the traps people sometimes fall into is not getting this, but assuming that their life is all wrong because of what other people have done to them — their partner, their parents, the government, God, etc. It’s easier to grumble about what is wrong than to take responsibility and make one’s own decisions. I’m not sensing this in you, by the way, it’s just a general statement. So, if you are consciously choosing your own life path, and if you feel that the choices you make are the best ones — given your current understanding of yourself, of life, and of others — then you are certainly on your own “right” path.
Josh, I know I’ve been a bit challenging here, but not because I want to “get at” you. My intent is to alert you to your options, and to help you avoid some of the bear traps that appear during adolescence. I also suspect you don’t mind a challenge!
Cheers
Barry
Wow, thanks Barry. I like how you wrote so much. Most of it really helped. But when you said that you’ve got a feeling I’m at war with something unconsciously. what do you mean by that?…And about the numbing thing…Physical pain doesn’t really stop me….But i deffinitly don’t try to numb my self with physical or emotinal pain…And when you said not to always get emotinally cut of from feelings…Isn’t it bad to just sit around and be sad? That’s what i always thought..That’s why i almost never actually take time to be sad and all that stuff…I just get through the emotions and then they come back.
Hi Josh,
Well the thought that kept occurring to me as I read your piece was: What exactly is motivating you to want to become so strong and … Invulnerable even? You are putting an extreme amount of effort into strengthening yourself and enduring pain, and you mention wanting to avoid getting into emotional states like sadness. Maybe I’m reading too much into it – fair cop – but I just had a theory that maybe you were conditioning yourself to resist something that might otherwise get you – emotion.
But, on the other hand, if you simply love extreme exercise for the sake of it, then there’s nothing wrong with that and feel free to strike my speculations from the record!
I will offer an alternative view on one point you made. A lot of people assume that once they open the door to the world of emotions, that’s it – they will be stuck there, lost in feelings. Actually it doesn’t work like that. If your dog dies, it is appropriate and natural to cry abut it for a few minutes or hours or maybe even even days. And then, naturally, you come out of the emotion, back i to your strength. That’s it – it’s a healthy thing to do, you get a release of locked-up energy, and you get back to normal life.
A negative feeling is basically a clever signal telling us that something isn’t right and we should get prepared to do something about it. Ideally, we should look at our feelings in this way, giving us feedback of what isn’t working so well in our lives – wherever we have conflicting goals or commitments, basically.
But, there are two ways that people get “stuck” around emotions.
One is not allowing them into one’s experience in the first place (“stiff upper lip”, “boys don’t cry”, etc). I remember seeing this woman in a growth workshop who had painful grief and bereavement etched all over her face. Her husband had died a couple of years earlier, yet her face looked as though it had only just happened. It turned out that she had never allowed herself to feel the sorrow of the loss, out of a fear that she would get lost in the emotions and never be normal again. As a result, the emotional energy of loss was constantly seething within her, just below the surface. It was obvious to anyone who looked at her. Yet as far as she was concerned, she was doing the “sensible” thing by not letting those emotions get to her.
Another possible way that people can become stuck with their emotions is that they allow the feelings into themselves but then but then have no way to let them out, to express or convey them. It’s like, first you feel the heat of the emotion, but then you must convert the heat into light – the light of awareness. And the most effective way to do that is to share the state you are in with another person. Explain exactly what you are feeling and why. Once another person understands and accepts it, the feeling moves out of the private realm of “personal issues” and into the realm of “shared awareness”. The ideal thing is to have a caring partner (or counsellor/therapist, or even just a drinking buddy) to process them with.
Just to be clear, I am not suggesting to anyone that it is a good idea to “indulge” every emotion so that it begins to run our lives. Emotions should be treated a signals, and as such they are best not ignored.
Extremely interesting article. I can not find myself, as usual. I have qualities and defects that fit in every stage, an enigma to myself.
Why do people that write on Michael Teachings say anything about celebrities? It’s not just you, but others do it too. I’m curious about this. Celebrities have a public mask and a private life. How are their lives relevant when they are known as celebrities and not as people?
I prefer the term famous figures.
The reason why websites like mine compile them: well, speaking for myself, it’s just that knowing the profiles of very well known individuals is very illuminating in terms of grasping how the essence and personality differences show up — more so than reading about people I don’t know.
Where do all these famous profiles come from? Sometimes the channels themselves are keen to get the profiles of, say, the latest presidential candidates. It can be hugely insightful – not so much in terms of who to vote for (for me at least; I’m not an American), but again in terms of having some prominent examples to learn from.
Also, a lot of people go to a channel for a private session and ask for a variety of profiles, usually their own friends, family, colleagues, etc. But in some cases, out of interest, they might also ask for a profile of someone famous who fascinates them – Einstein say – and they may well share the result publicly in a forum. So it’s relatively easy to come across famous profiles and pool them together.
As for the difference between public and private face, that is precisely what the profiles get at. One of the channels (Troy) has a fascinating insight into how people have, as it were, three sets of overleaves, one being their outer mask and one being their true personality. (I think the other, if I remember rightly, is their perceived sense of self.) So it’s not just slebs who have public masks! But the channelled profile is hopefully a revelation of the true personality – and again, there is much to be learned from seeing the differences in action.
Hi,
Since I am a kid am “connected” with the other side. I have experienced so much through different ways and growing up with it. I “feel” the people around me, and so on. I thought that all people were like me and as I grow up, I realized that it was not the case. I kept all this for me as I moved on, as I didn’t want others to think I was making all this up, imagination, etc. So I went on with my life, helping and teaching strangers put on my road for a moment with what I know, helping them grow or go over hard times, after they just disappear.
My family and friends admire my strenght wondering how did I do it as I lived very difficult times in my life. I am not a very “share your problems” person. People judge too much. I don’t and just can’t do it, it is not in my nature.
Still, I feel so lonely in this life and even if I am loved I still under estimate me. Yes I am sad even if I “know”. I don’t know the age of my soul and don’t care knowing it. I am craving for love in this life, like if I never have enough.
Hi Angie
Interesting that you use the word “craving”, as that is often the one thing standing in the way of love.
I have a bunch of questions which may or may not be helpful, but they are what came up for me as I read (and re-read) your account.
First, just to clarify, when you talk of love and loneliness, are you feeling the lack of a basic romantic/sexual/life partnership, or is it a deeper, spiritual communion that you seek – perhaps even being in touch with multiple people, others who also “know” in the deeper way that you do?
Either way, you sound both wise and intuitive, so I’m wondering what has been causing the lack… Can you sense if there is any resistance or obstacle within you? (For example, people sometimes have a belief or attitude that “there is no one out there for me” or “no one could possibly accept me,” and so on.) Just a thought.
When you say you under-estimate yourself, do you mean in terms of capability or do you mean that you are not appreciating your real value?
The surest way to receive love is to give it, as like attracts like. Are you in touch with the love within yourself?
An old soul would only bother to type one sentence.
I see what you did there
I have often wondered if I am an Old Soul. I was told by my Aunt when I was 8 years Old that I was. As I have gotten older, I am 45, I have noticed I like my time alone and I don’t like to talk much. I enjoy my job and it does not bother me at all to be there, in fact I work quit a bit of overtime. I don’t like to be bothered while working unless I initiate the conversation. I am not anti-social by any means, I do enjoy being with my co-workers/friends at work. I do suffer from depression which I am on medication for. I am not materialistic by any means and since I was very young I have continued to give things away. If I don’t need it to survive I don’t buy it. I see myself in my daughter and I often wonder if she is an Old Soul too.
Or you could be a Mature soul, Laura.
I think whenever someone tells us that we look like an old soul, in a general sense (as distinct from this specific framework), it means that they recognise that we are not naive noobies but have clearly learned quite a lot already — and to be frank that could apply to any individual who is anywhere between mid-Young soul and late Old soul.
Liking time alone could mean lots of things; same goes for not liking to talk much and not being bothered by conversations at work (all are true of me, a Mature Scholar).
Enjoying your work simply means that you have found a job that you are happy with, and that may have no relationship to soul age. But it is great thing to have in your life.
Clinical depression isn’t a sign of being an Old soul, it’s common across the spectrum. It’s just that depression is the one psychological disturbance that Old souls can be particularly vulnerable to. A relative of mine has clinical depression, and she’s another Mature Scholar.
I’m not insisting that you’re not an Old soul, Laura. You could be for all I know. But I can see that there are general points that I ought to make clearer in the text itself to enable people to assess themselves more precisely.
Thanks for getting in touch.
Barry
Thank you for your input. It’s funny you say Mature Soul. When reading both Mature and Old I saw myself in both. I often wonder about my 17 year Old daughter. She has always been “different” then the other kids, In Preschool she was put in the 5 and 6 year Old group when she was 3 because she could relate better. She does not like to hang out with her friends from Elementary School because they are all doing drugs, alcohol and getting pregnant. She is in Independent Studies because she does not want to deal with all the drama in the High School scene. She can not wait to be done with High School so she can move on to College. She hangs out with College students now.
She also acts more refined than your normal teenager. Her personality portrays someone who has done all the monotonous stuff and does not want to do it again. High School, drivers ed, monotonous jobs that teenagers do, the drug scene, etc.
Great Job. The site content and material intrigued, provoked, and entertained me for about an hour and a half. Don’t mean to sound sarcastic, as an hour and a half of any mass media sponsored material is about an hour longer then usual for me to be entertained by. ;0)
p.s………could not find any links to take a soul self assessment test on Kings, Warriors, Servers, Priest, etc. Pegged my traits as an old soul by the time I was done reading the second paragraph of this page. Took an assessment test from somewhere that confirmed it. So what now ??? “Does anyone really care what time it is? “………….. or how old or young a soul is ? cause I sure don’t. Not trying to be negative. I am simply having a hard time calculating the value(s) and what the knowledge (or suggestion) of information brings forth fruit, value, or benefit too???
Hi Stephen
I have a soul type questionnaire here: http://www.quibblo.com/quiz/atufj3C/Discover-Your-Soul-Type
These teachings generally appeal to Mature Souls, who feel the need to know who they are and understand the meaning of life.
Younger souls don’t get it so much – they are out to prove themselves in the world, not discover their inner selves, or the equal value of others. And typically they will want to be an ‘Old King’ or nothing at all.
Old souls tend to look at it, think “We’ll, yeah, that’s just obvious,” and then move on. They’ve already been there, done that, etc.
Thanks for the link. Yea. “Been there, done that” had entered my mind quite a few times after browsing through for the first time. Yet again just another concept that makes me feel old. LOL
So many souls who reflect all they want to do is be King. To much work and responsibility in my opinion. I would rather be a Kings entertainer myself. So its not at all surprising that my assessment resulted as Artisan.
Thank you for all your time and hard work in paving this path. It is nice to have a site that inspires and allows for people to take a deeper look into their souls.
Many thanks Stephen.
;0)
I would be interested in verbal communication and exchange with other Old soul Artisans in case any other shares the same sediments. Is there a forum or something for souls to connect; or just the use of the comments section(s)?
Yep, you can try the following:
Just google “michael teachings forum” or “michael teachings discussion group”
Nice. Thank you.
I couldn’t keep my jaw from dropping throughout this read, while the other soul stages kept me equally as interested. My jaw was about to fall to the floor because point after point proved to me that I am an old soul. The question is, what level am I at? It may be that I am actually at a later level, if not the last, the at least one or two before it. I say this with the least ego-driven confidence because I have never been too keen on perceiving through ego, and I had my first (true) spiritual awakening at the young age of 18. Unsurprisingly, a mere few months before this existence shattering awakening, I was told by a girl of the same age that I had an old soul. No idea what she meant at the time, but it did come from a long and what most would call deep conversation. Now I’m 23 and I am more aware of what is every day, and that is the perfectly pristine nature of reality which excludes itself from duality while paradoxically appearing to manifest it all at once. Every day, regardless of what emotions I may fearlessly experience, I feel this undying and unchanging underlying and all-encompassing unconditional love, through every experience and every potential experience. It’s like I simply let the paint of conditioning peel and fall naturally, watching the surrealistically bright light burst through to no end. There is nothing more beautiful than the awareness of truth, and because no thing could exist without it, every bit of this apparent reality is unquestionably in constant, equal beauty in itself. Nothing could ever change that uniform love, although our fascinating minds tend to pretend otherwise. I could say it’s fun and happy and glorified, but then I’d ultimately be lying. So I’ll just stick with this: “It is.”
Hi Ryan
Thank you so much for getting in touch, and I am delighted that you have been able to resonate with this description of the old soul. Even though I am a Mature soul, I do believe I know a late-level Old soul when I hear one. So… Hi!
Your awakening experience as a teen reminds me of Ramana Maharshi, who awakened through a self-induced near-death experience at age 16. I have had my own brief glimpses of truth, but I know that I am not immersed in it as an abiding experience.
I am tempted to recommend all readers to read your later remarks, as a way to illustrate the thought processes at such a level.
Cheers!
Barry
Thanks for your quick reply! Something I meant to add, whether you want to take it seriously or pass it as a fun thing to notice, the date of our posts, May 4th, 2013, is a date of great order by the notion of numerology. No, you don’t have to add and divide, and there’s no “number 23″ to come across, this is simpler. The date represents 0-5 easily, and I just found it interesting. From 2013; 0.1.2. and 3, and then the 4th of the 5th month make up the 0-5.
Back on track, I’d be more than okay with you recommending my later remarks. It makes so much sense why this has felt so effortless for me, yet so impossible for others. If the soul stages and levels are true, and I have no sense of resistance against it, then it only fits that the reason I had an early awakening (not unlike my favorite speaker/teacher, Adyashanti) and that I have at this young age a daily, abiding sense of awakening, is because I am nearing my end to the reincarnation process.
I used to feel less connected to the idea of reincarnation, unsure of just what it meant, but reading through your writings have made it much easier for me to accept as a truth rather than a theory. Simply looking at it as being incarnate as human again and again, until seamless awakening is apparent, at which point becoming incarnate as human is no longer necessary, makes perfect sense. I always said the purpose of (human) life is to be aware, and this only flows with that statement.
To further strengthen my sense of being a later-level old soul, I’d like to point out that I embrace duality on a full spectrum level. This awareness is not something I try to do, it is more of an allowing. My interests in general are so diverse, it’s very difficult to pinpoint who I appear to be. Sure, I have my apparently separate opinions and likes and dislikes, but the point is that I effortlessly fit the universal puzzle piece of unconditional love into every part of my experience. By accepting things as the way they are and at least loosening your grip of the way you think things should be, you can allow yourself to appreciate things on a level that does not involve the ego. Obviously, this includes the idea of human death, but more importantly ego death (and rebirth).
Thank you for sharing.
There are multiple ways to skin a cat.
Lessons in life, may they be precived as negative, are not bad, they are just that, lessons to better know ones self and reach the awareness that gives you the perspective you seek.
The insight this reading has shared has helped me, we run into the places and people we are meant to, everything has meaning, we just need to realize.
The older I get, the younger I feel. Keep smiling and let yourself wake up!
If I have learn anything is that I am only at the tip of the iceberg and it’s marvelous.
Breaking one habit at a time!
- Mateo
Question……….Why would a young soul…….or ANY soul for the matter……..proclaim to be “old school” when it is clearly evident that soul has never walked a single step in the “old world” both spiritually speaking and literally speaking???
Sorry, Stephen, I dont understand what the question is referring to.
Probably just my, other peoples, or a mixture of both, misunderstanding, or misrepresentation, of terminology, value system, or both. I may be attempting to make a connection where there is no connection. I hear people declare fairly frequently that they are “old school” which would define that they mostly retain older value systems. Yet, according to what I have read regarding soul age, their character reflects the values of a younger soul. Would not a soul age contrast a souls reflective value system(s)?. I have read very little in regards to soul age and am simply attempting to get a better understanding and make the connection between soul age and human psychology…….
As I understand it, “old school” is simply the current slang term for “old fashioned”, but meant in a respectful way, with certain implications. I think when a young person refers to themselves as “old school”, the implied message goes something like this: “Although we kids are expected to reject outright the ways of the the previous generation, I can actually recognise things of value from that era, and I am openly willing to embrace those things. That shows that I have state-of-the-art discrimination and a mind of my own.” And when the term is used by an older person to describe themselves, I suspect what they mean is “I am stuck in my ways … but maybe that’s OK.”
What strikes me is the idea that the past can hold *anything* of value. I think this idea was rejected (in our culture at least) around the middle of the 20th century – after all, glorifying the past had given us two world wars. From about 1960 onwards, it seemed appropriate to utterly forget the past and create the modern world anew. But then the 70s generation would reject the 60s, the 80s generation rejected the 70s, and so on. Until now that is, where “retro” styling has become fashionable and an “old school” mentality is respectable. I think we’ve just gone full circle – modernity was defined by rejecting the past, so to be post-modern you have to reject the mentality of rejecting the past!
Now relating this to soul age… People’s value systems are affected not only by their soul age but also their physical age – or rather, their psychological development as they physically age. A typical Mature soul at the age of 20 will think and act pretty much like a typical Young soul at the age of 40 – brash, competitive, ambitious. The Mature soul won’t really think and act predominantly like a Mature soul until they are past the age of approx 35, because it takes that long for each of us, in each lifetime, to grow to our “full strength” in terms of awareness. So what you might find is that a Young soul will have similar values at 20 and 40, whereas a Mature soul is more likely to have a drastic change in values.
So, I’m still not clear how to relate this to the “old school” term, but maybe things are making more sense from where you’re standing!?
Your articulate response has provoked greater understanding! My cognition process tends to many times either over complicate or simply not fully grasp a concept. I may need to read that a time or two again, but it has allowed me a deeper understanding regarding soul age as it relates to human behavior. I am not sure I have yet to fully grasp a measurement of soul age and how it is interconnected to human values, but your articulated response has certainly allowed me for a more in depth understanding. Human behavior and psychology have always been intriguing subjects to me as I grow in age, both from a physical and spiritual perspective. I analyze it as much to help me measure my own self awareness as I do to obtain a basic understanding of common human behavior, as I try and focus to balance observation, understanding, and analyzing, without violating or incorporating inaccurate or unfair judgement. I have experienced an a-typical upbringing where human emotion has played a significant role in my understanding of human behavior and the ability to accurately asses and analyze human behavior. The concept of measuring soul age, while intriguing, is a new concept to me and I am simply trying to grasp its basic founding concepts. Thank you for the time to provide such an articulated response. It has helped and is greatly appreciated.
Great. Cheers Stephen.
B