The word “soul” is seamlessly integrated into our cultural landscape. From soul searching and soul music to soul mates and soul ties, we have employed the term liberally to discuss relationships, mental health, and more.
But what exactly is a soul?
In simple words, soul is the formless, limitless energy that dwells in everything. And this energy is a fragment of the greater, undefined universal energy from which the soul originated. If the soul is a limitless energy, how do you begin defining its age, and what does ‘old soul’ mean?
Journey of Souls
“The Soul is never born, it never dies having come into being once, it never ceases to be. Unborn, eternal, abiding, and primeval, it is not slain when the body is slain” – Bhagavad Gita.
You cannot miss out on discussing reincarnation while talking about souls. All spiritual beliefs, from Buddhism to Hinduism, believe that the soul, an endearing energy form within each one of us, is immortal. So even while we continue to undergo the cycles of birth and death, the soul continues to be.
The soul is regarded as an intelligent and conscious force that evolves and matures as we cultivate qualities such as universal love, empathy and compassion. In this perspective, the soul’s journey is one of continuous growth and refinement as it navigates through successive lifetimes, each presenting unique opportunities for spiritual development.
How old is your soul
How can you determine the age of something which never came into existence and cannot cease to be? There is no way to define the age of a soul because it simply has none. However, since we are on a continuous journey of knowing our very essence and imbibing our core values of love and light, we can say that we are on a learning path in the human body. And making a calculated assumption of where we are on that learning path can help us define the progress or age of the soul.
However, it is important to note that we must not define and categorize the soul age literally. There are numerous factors that come into play to define who you are or how your life is. However, to generalize this journey and give a broad perspective on where you are on the soul journey, we categorize soul age into six groups:
Infant Souls
Infant souls are the youngest of the group and tend to be ignorant. They are extremely focused on survival and have no such thing as right or wrong doing. Infant souls find it challenging to adapt to social norms and prefer to live in familiar groups and tribes in untamed environments.
Baby Souls
Moving on from infant souls, baby souls evolve to follow cultural or social norms and a specific religious system. This group is ultra-conservative, orthodox, principled, and law-abiding.
Young Souls
We then tend to move to the young soul group, where we realize our independence to choose and live by our will. This is where materialism enters our world, and we are driven by social recognition and financial gains. Young souls are goal-setters and workaholics.
Mature Souls
The mature souls realize that there is more to life than materialism. Mature souls are liberal and inclusive, prioritize relationships, and are visionaries. In this stage, empathy takes its root, and our consciousness begins to evolve from self to others.
Old Souls
By the time you become an old soul, you have gone through the phases of survival, materialism, and empathy. As an old soul, you will find that life lacks surprises, and you possess the wisdom to navigate through the highs and lows without becoming overwhelmed by emotional upheaval.
Ancient Souls
Ancient souls are the enlightened ones who take birth to help others evolve in their spiritual journey.
Does the number of lifetimes define Soul Age
With the understanding of the characteristics of each soul age group, it is evident that we spend a number of lifetimes to progress through our lessons and understand the profound act of wisdom, empathy, and inclusion. If you observe yourself in an unbiased, non-judgmental space, you will realize that a simple act of loving all and being empathetic toward everyone, including the ones we are not fond of, isn’t a cakewalk. It can take one to multiple lifetimes to move from one soul stage to another.
Thus, there is no magic formula to define a soul age, and no magic mantra to move from infant to old soul age in a lifetime. Furthermore, as you move past multiple lifetimes, your karma and soul purpose only make it complicated to make any human calculations of the soul journey.
How can you tell if you are an Old Soul
While it can become challenging for us to define a formula for the making of old souls, here are some of the most common characteristics of old souls:
1. You are more empathetic
Do you know exactly how the other person feels? If you end up putting yourself in someone else’s shoes or often find yourself shedding a tear in the middle of an emotional movie scene, chances are that you are an old soul.
Old souls tend to be profoundly affected when they encounter anyone in distress. This sensitivity goes beyond just acknowledging the pain; it also translates into a genuine desire to provide support whenever possible. You are driven by a profound sense of compassion and an instinctual need to alleviate suffering, encouraging you to lend a helping hand, a listening ear, or a comforting presence to those in need.
2. You are driven by Life Purpose
Old souls aren’t motivated by conventional societal measures of success, whether that be fame, public acclaim, or financial wealth. If you identify as an old soul, your primary focus lies in comprehending your life’s purpose and actively pursuing it. You would center your actions around instigating positive social change, whether that entails engaging with charitable causes, delving into scientific or method-driven innovations to enhance the human experience, or harnessing the power of art and music to improve the lives of others.
Regardless of the path you choose, your life purpose will not just be limited to your personal gains but will encompass the larger good for all.
3. You realize that the best things are free and priceless
As an old soul, you possess the unique vision to see profound beauty in the simplest things. The gentle chorus of birdsong, the caress of a cool breeze on their skin, and the breathtaking spectacle of sunrise all hold a special enchantment for you. You are naturally drawn to spending quality time in nature, whether it’s by a beach or river, long leisurely walks, or hiking in the mountains. You are not driven by agendas but by the experience of peace.
In addition, solitude and silence hold a special place in your heart. You would love to get into deep thinking about life, the simple beauty of everything unfolding at the right time, at the right pace.
4. You are not materialistic
Needless to say, an old soul would have the least interest in material gains or the status quo. For you, life profoundly roots itself in the richness of experiences, the quality of your relationships, the art of living mindfully in each moment, and, perhaps most significantly, the positive impact you can impart upon someone else’s life.
You are more likely to prioritize knowledge, emotional well-being, and the cultivation of inner peace.
5. You move away from negative emotions
Being an old soul doesn’t mean you are void of emotions or mistakes. Like everyone else, you would make mistakes, have disagreements, face conflicts, and get angry or frustrated. The distinction, however, lies in how swiftly an old soul can navigate through these negative emotions, acknowledging them and moving beyond them. Regrets, hatred, anger, or envy begin to fade away from your experiences.
Through this emotional maturity, It navigate challenges with remarkable resilience, allowing them to maintain a sense of inner peace and positivity even in the face of adversity.
6. You engage in meditation, prayer, or some spiritual practice
It is hard to imagine an old soul devoid of any meditative practice or engaging in simple mindful prayers. For you, spirituality is not just a concept but a lived experience. The old souls are the believers of the higher wisdom and love to connect with it through deep meditative states. You are also highly intuitive and proactively use your intuition to make relevant decisions.
Old souls also frequently gravitate towards healing practices, both for themselves and as a means to assist others in raising their vibrational frequencies. You may have an inclination to explore various healing modalities, such as energy healing, Reiki, or alternative medicine, with the aim of nurturing physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
7. You see the interconnectedness of all
As an old soul, you realize that we are all interconnected and that each one of us has a profound impact on another. You recognize that each person, each creature, and every facet of the environment plays a pivotal role in the delicate balance of existence.
You are very mindful of the choices you make, and love and affection for all beings come naturally to you. Whether it’s your lifestyle or the food you consume, you adhere to a conscientious “do-no-harm” approach in all aspects of your existence.
8. You are mindful of your karma
As an old soul, you are mindful of your actions, words, and thoughts and ensure that there is no negative karma. You live by your ethics and deeply ingrained values that shape your decisions and choices. At the same time, you do not judge others who tend to differ from you.
Your remarkable ability to detach yourself from situations, combined with your capacity to see the broader perspective, helps you remain calm in the most challenging situations.
9. You are someone people reach out to
In your social circle and beyond, you have established yourself as the go-to person when others seek support and guidance. People frequently approach you to confide in and share their concerns and problems.
While it might be a lot to handle, having insight into all your friends’ issues and taking on the role of their counselor doesn’t typically overwhelm you. In fact, you derive satisfaction from being a source of guidance and offering them a sense of support.
10. You cherish people
You value relationships and cherish good people in your life. While your social circle may not be extensive, you have a unique ability to attract individuals who resonate with your wisdom, and often, these are fellow old souls.
One of your remarkable qualities lies in your capacity to forgive easily. When someone harms you, you can take a step back, recognize the reasons behind someone’s wrongdoing, and display a profound sense of empathy and forgiveness. It recognize that people often act from their own pain or insecurities, and this understanding enables them to extend compassion and grant forgiveness readily.
11. You believe in the power of universal love
Your deep-rooted belief in the potency of universal love is a defining characteristic of your old soul nature. You stand as a steadfast advocate for the concept that love when extended to all, possesses a remarkable capacity to heal and transform.
You practice self-love, appreciate yourself with all your flaws and strengths, and stay away from unnecessary comparisons for yourself or others.
Conclusion
As an old soul, your journey has been one of profound experiences and rich wisdom. Yet the journey is far from over. Becoming an old soul is not just a personal evolution; it’s a profound responsibility—to share your insights with others and help them grow. Don’t hold yourself from sharing your light with the world, for that is what we need the most right now.
