http://yahoo.match.com/y/article.aspx?

articleid=6240&TrackingID=526103&BannerID=709241

5 viewpoints about soul mates

By Barrie Dolnick Weve all heard stories about people who lock eyes across a crowded room and know for sure theyll marry each other. They are soul mates, right? Could be. But thats not the only way you meet them, and its certainly not always instant love. Toss your preconceived notions about soul mates and learn what the experts say. It may surprise you. Soul mates are matches made in heaven. According to Yale Chaplain Rabbi James Ponet, traditional (JudeoChristian) ideas about soul mates are summed up in this 2nd Century story: A wealthy Roman matron says to a rabbinic sage, Since your Creator God made the universe in seven days, whats he been doing since? The Sage replied, Hes been making couples. The Roman woman says, I can do that! She proceeds to command one hundred slaves to be coupled off and sends them to a great dwelling. After one night, the place is in shambles; the couples have fought and degenerated into chaos. In defeat and shame, she goes back to the Sage and says, Oh, thats no minor thing that your God does. And thats why it is common to believe that marriages are made in heaven. In Hebrew the word is Bshert roughly translated as beloved or The One. This is where the basic idea of soul mates originates. Soul mates are not a one-shot deal. Dont panic. You didnt miss meeting your soul mate when you skipped going to that party last weekend. Soul mates find you if youre open to them. Besides, you dont have one great love you have many potential great loves. According to New York Minister and Psycho-Spiritual Counselor, Susan Lemak, soul mates are profound soul connections in your life. When youre with one, you stop looking, so youre not aware of the other potential soul mates around you. While youre thinking how hard it is to find The One, the reality is that its hard for you to choose. A soul mate is someone who reflects or matches your energy and your path in life. A soul mate is someone whose power and potential are complementary to your own. And youll find them in the most unlikely places. Lemak adds, You know that great person sitting near you at work? The one who makes you laugh, but might be 10 pounds overweight? Maybe not the coolest person but dig a little deeper. You could find a soul mate in there. Soul mates are about work, not play. The word soul opens a gigantic can of karma. While dating and light relationships are all about fun and playfulness, soul mates are all about deep emotional support, trust and faith. When you choose to go deeper with someone, youre opening yourself up you become emotionally vulnerable. Susan Strong, San Mateo-based astrologer and metaphysical counselor jokes, Sometimes our soul mates become our cross to bear. You marry someone who is your soul mate and, over time, you realiz e youre connected not just through chemistry, but because you are there to help each other. Most guys dont think about soul mates, no matter what The Bachelor says. Strong also considers the very concept of soul mates a more feminine event. Men dont look for soul mates nor do they really think about meeting their soul mate. Sure, a man can be in a happy, committed, connected relationship, but he wont necessarily tell his friends that hes with his soul mate. Women are more aware of a soul connectio n because they are more introspective in that way. Women need to feel a deeper connection with a man. That soul connection is there but men just dont define it. Soul mates are not necessarily permanent. Like the ending of a fairy tale, were often raised to believe that a soul mate is our happily ever after. How old were you when realized that fairy tales dont come true? Soul mates are certainly considered the prince charming and his princess of modern romance. Yet what happens if your romance goes sour that soul mate turns out to be a mismatch? Of course youre not out of luck. You move on, heal, and open up to the next soul mate. If you look at the traditional idea of soul mates, your beloved, youll realize that a higher force may have more than one love in store for you. To love someone and be loved is a deeply spiritual state. In the words of St. Theresa of Avila, Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul. Astro-coach Barrie Dolnick helps people find love and happiness by understanding their stars and their karmic energy. She is the author of twelve books, including Enlighten Up! and KarmaBabe.