Why Soul Ties Are "Dangerously Intense Connections," According to Experts

Have you ever met someone whose presence in your life just made sense? Maybe it was an instantaneous attraction, or maybe things clicked after you formed an extremely deep connection? Either way, if you've ever felt an invisible string pulling you toward someone, it's possible you've encountered a soul tie.A soul tie is a type of spiritual connection that relationship expert Sameera Sullivan describes as the "knitting together" of two souls. They can develop via a physical, spiritual, social, or emotional bond, and it typically happens more in romantic relationships than platonic ones. Not every person you've dated qualifies as a soul tie, however - no matter how in love you may have been. Because here's the thing about soul ties: they're so intense that the feeling may be unlike anything you've ever experienced in both a good and bad way. We spoke with experts to explore what this rare connection is and what it means when you've found someone who could be a soul tie. Experts Featured in This ArticleSameera Sullivan is a relationship expert and matchmaker. Perry Valentine is a spirituality expert and the founder of AtPerry's Healing Crystals.Joseph Moore is a certified relationship and life coach. Ronald Williams, PhD, is a psychologist.What Is a Soul Tie, and How Are Soul Ties Formed?Also called a "spiritual coding," a soul tie can be depicted as two souls linking together through a spiritual or emotional bond, spirituality expert Perry Valentine says. The connection is so deep that it can make you feel like you've known the person forever. (And if that sounds intense, that's because it is.) Soul ties are typically formed through a physical, spiritual, social, or emotional connection, which can involve deep conversations and complete openness and vulnerability. However, most soul ties blossom after sexual intercourse, certified relationship coach Joseph Moore says. It's important to have an emotional connection prior to having sex, but a continuously passionate sex life generally helps the soul tie develop. "Time and sex is how a soul tie is formed," he says. You may be asking yourself, "OK, but what's the difference between a soul tie and just falling in love?" Normal relationships involve sex, time, and lots of intimacy, but it's the spiritual part that takes a soul tie to a deeper level. It's literally your two souls becoming intertwined beyond the boundaries of falling in love, and it happens very rarely. What Are Some Signs You've Met a Soul Tie?Unfortunately, it's one of those things that's best described as "when you know, you know." However, according to Valentine and Sullivan, there are a few signs that you may have met a soul tie:You can't stop thinking about them.You feel connected with them on a deeper level - more so than any other connection you've felt before.You cannot bear the thought of your relationship ending.You might feel a physical or subconscious pull leading you to them.You feel like you've known the person forever.You feel a sense of familiarity and comfort around them.You feel like you can let your guard down around them.You dream about them often.Ultimately, if you think you've met someone who could be your soul tie, explore it. Don't focus too much on the "signs" or what it's supposed to feel like. When a connection manifests to the level of being a soul tie, it's something you likely won't even have to question.What's the Difference Between a Soulmate, a Soul Tie, and a Twin Flame?Whereas you only have one soulmate, you can have many soul ties throughout your life. They're both rare to find, but soul ties typically develop differently than do soulmates. Psychologist Ronald Williams, PhD, says a soulmate is most often formed through an immediate connection. Sure, it's also possible for a soul tie to form instantaneously, but most soul ties develop gradually.Soulmates are also typically seen in a more positive light. Relationship counselor David Bennett previously told PS that "a soulmate treats you with kindness, generosity, and brings out the best in you." While that can also be true of a soul tie, there can be a toxic side. Twin flames are similarly intense to soul ties and can also be potentially toxic. The biggest difference between a soul tie and a twin flame is that a twin flame can be a best friend, a sibling, or even a child. While it's possible to have a platonic soul tie, it's way more common to form a romantic soul tie, since most of them form after sexual intercourse. What's the Negative Side to Having a Soul Tie?Because the connection is so rare, intense, and deep, it's possible for you to develop an unhealthy obsession or extreme attachment with your soul tie, Valentine says. "Some people may even feel incomplete without their soul tie," she says, which, in relationships, can lead to an unhealthy attachment style where boundaries, needs, and wants are not met. In addition, one person can feel the soul-tie connection more than the other. If that happens, "the other person can easily take advantage of it and become toxic or abusive, and oftentimes, the other person can hardly leave," Moore says.How to Break Soul TiesFortunately, it's possible to break a soul tie if it feels unhealthy. However, "it takes a lot of self-confidence and determination, meditation, and a willingness to endure pain for a while before time heals the wound of separation from your soul tie," Moore says. Because of the work necessary to break a soul tie, it is best achieved through therapy and journaling to help sort out your feelings. Another option could be to seek help through cord-cutting, which is a spiritual process that removes emotional ties between you and someone. It won't be as easy as, say, processing a breakup, but it is achievable with time and patience. With that said, if there's no inequitable power dynamic or toxicity and you're happy in your soul-tie courtship, there's no need to break it off. Related: Why Younger Black Women Are Turning to Spirituality - on Their Terms Taylor Andrews is a Balance editor at PS who specializes in topics relating to sex, relationships, dating, sexual health, mental health, and more.