One of my favourite articles on Soul Mates published in The Hindu

A MATE FOR THE SOUL

Do soul mates exist or are they just an idea?
Soulfully yours Your soul mate can be anybody, it does not hinge on romantic notions alone

Do you sometimes feel that somebody special with whom you have a deep and mysterious connection is out there somewhere waiting? And at an auspicious moment if fate intervenes you may be united as you are destined for each other.
‘Soul mates’, a term used to describe someone who makes us experience life in a deeper way has of late evoked a lot of passion, hope and excitement especially among the young who are bent on exploring life with all its in-depth philosophies and complexities.
Quite interesting is also what a soul mate means to different people. But do soul mates really exist or is it a mere fantasy and dream conjured by the hopelessly romantic and starry eyed? Romantic vs platonic
Sandeep Vasanth, a student of architecture, says, “soul mates definitely do exist. A soul mate is someone with whom you have a deeper connection. This relationship opens our eyes to a new perspective of life. Apart from the comfort factor, the trust, sharing and caring with such a person brings out the best in you.”
The word soul mate was by no means coined recently. It was described by Plato as a person’s better half. Many who have experienced the presence of soul mates swear their lives have been enriched.
Geetha K. Nambiar, a homemaker and an ardent believer says emphatically, “soul mates certainly do exist according to my personal experiences. A soul mate is somebody with whom you feel an instinctive bond that brings out the best in each other. The relationship can be
romantic or platonic. A soul mate can be a friend, colleague, business partner, close relative, spouse etc. It can also be an individual of the same sex.”
Elizabeth Kurien, logistics manager of a shipping company who agrees adds, “A soul mate can suddenly walk into your life and create a deep, fulfilling bond. Though I have intimate friends a soul mate is above all that. For there exists a deep, silent communication and understanding.
It is an awesome link that gives us deeper insights into life. But do not expect and wait for your soul mate to turn up and then marry because a soul mate need not always be your spouse. It is best to marry someone whom you find compatible enough. For sometime waiting for a soul mate to turn up can turn one into old bachelors or spinsters.”
The views of the older generation offer insight into the evolution of the term. Poothatta Narayanan, a septuagenarian says, “a soul mate earlier was always of the opposite sex and was someone with whom you shared a mystical and divine bond. It was a companion with whom you embarked on a spiritual journey. Radha and Krishna are the perfect example in mythology. However today soul mates though still an overpowering relationship has taken a more earthly level.”
Delving deeper, does this awe-inspiring bond – a blend of the sublime and the earthly – appeal only to the artistically and philosophically inclined? What about those in scientific and medical fields? Are they skeptical?
Dr Rajan Thomas, M.D., clears such doubts. He says, “I definitely believe that there is a soul mate for most of us and maybe for everybody. It is someone who makes us blossom. The emphasis here goes beyond from a mere physical relationship to a deeper emotional bond. Your soul mate thus can be your spouse, relative or anyone with whom you sense a deeper understanding. Often only when a person exits from your life and you begin to miss him dearly you realize that soul mates exist.”Unconvinced
However many are unconvinced. A. P. Prabhath, senior officer in a tea company feels such relationships exist only in dreams and fantasies and blames the media and movies in doling out mushy, romantic tales. He says, “Movies glorify love and romance to gigantic proportions giving it a glossy and unrealistic touch. Many fall for this. However in reality it is different. For intimate attachments and ties can lose its charm and magic once you enter into a close relationship. And whether soul mate or not you find that like any other relationship you have to work hard and make adjustments to keep it going.”
But many whose lives have been illumined by soul mates believe in this relationship with their hearts. The essence of this awe-inspiring bond lies in a profound connection that transcends from the mere physical and the romantic to something deep and inherent in our sub-conscious.
Those who feel soul mates are an illusion and a figment of one’s imagination are entitled to their own judgments. Yet on reflection does this illusion lie in the belief of soul mates or in its disbelief? For nobody can deny that great relationships and bonds give one hope and make life worth living. They uplift you to greater heights and of course nourish your soul.
HEMJIT BHARATHAN
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