The Soul Mate Debate: Do They Exist?

The notion of a soul mate comes from the ideas of reincarnation and karma. Soul mates are essentially two souls reincarnating alongside each other over and over again, playing different roles to each other, such as lovers, adversaries, parent and child, victim and murderer, employees and worker... Sometimes soul mates are said to have been separated at the beginning of time, and so in each lifetime they seek to reunite in some way.

If you were to find your soul mate, it's said, you would be able to instantly recognize her. You'd feel connected, at home, recognized, valued and loved -- all instantly. The two of you will re-connect, re-fall in love and live happily ever after.

Unfortunately, this isn't quiet how the soul mate thing works. Here are some sobering thoughts about the notion of a soul mate:

• Each of us could have an unlimited amount of soul mates since we have many close relationships in a lifetime. Who's to say each one of those isn't with our soul mate?
  
• Intimate relationships with soul mates are less likely to work out, because if someone is truly your soul mate, you have been around the block with each other too many times in too many different ways. Along with intense passion for each other, you'll also feel intense anger and resentment.
  
• If you instantly recognize or feel connected to someone, is she your soul mate? It could also be that she's very similar to your childhood family pattern or your adult dating pattern, and you instantly feel at home.
  
• The notion of soul mates finding each other and instantly recognizing each other presumes past life memories are at the surface and are available to be tapped into at any time. Do you remember your past lives, especially if you don't believe in past lives and reincarnation?