Soul mate: it’s the idea of having another person being our other half. We hear the term everyday; in movies, real-life and especially Hallmark greeting cards. The thought of there being another human being roaming the universe that’ll complete us was a powerful message in Jerry McGuire that left the world in a hopeless state of romanticism–was that so bad? Just a little. It symbolizes that alone, we’re not whole, we are enough and according to Sex and the City’s Kristin Davis, “The idea of soul mates makes me want to gag“. But where did the idea of soul mates begin? You might change your mind about the concept after you hear where it came from, or at least give you something to think about–especially about homosexuality. Imagine that.
The idea of soul mates was introduced by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. He told the story of how humans were once born with 2 faces, two sets of genitals, two sets of arms and legs and they existed in three categories; man-man, woman-woman, and man-woman. The humans of ancient days were very powerful and eventually got a little too cocky which made them confront the gods and start an attack. They started their ascend to Mt. Olympus and if you can imagine, there where throngs of these human-like spiders making their way up to Zues.
As punishment, Zues–along with the help of another god, Apollo, split everyone in two forcing the now-split humans to frantically run around looking for their other half. Since three categories existed, three hunts went into effect. Man looked for man, woman looked for woman and one set of men looked for women, thus creating the idea of soul mates and explaining a little about homosexuality in the process.
Personally, I’m beginning to like the idea of soul mates a little more, but not the Jerry McGuire kind–moreover the idea of finding someone to play with and complementing your current existence–not completing it. To think that happiness or that you’re only completed by another person sets us up for failure. I also don’t believe that we’re meant to love only one person in our lifetime, the idea itself is ancient and out-dated, but I feel I have found my own soul mate in Cris, my bff of over 26 years, but that would mean that she and I were a man-woman combo. Damn it, there goes my theory on homosexuality according to the Greeks since I’m in to men and so is she. Well, back to the gay drawing board, I guess.
What are your ideas on soul mates, is the term over worked and misguided in today’s society? What do you think about Plato’s idea of soul mates? Leave a comment.
Nando! You are stealing my thought processes! I was writing something about how people get the idea of love.
.-= @lena_fm´s last blog ..A man- a woman and no happy ending =-.
great minds think alike–send me your piece when you’re done, yeah?
I’d love to read it. Did you also quote Plato?
Great post. I think the term ‘soul mates’ has gotten a bad rap, maybe deservedly so. Let’s put a new one out there. We coined Gaycation Nando, what do we have here?
.-= LoveintheDumps´s last blog ..What to expect if you date a Leo =-.
We’re on a roll, right–buddy? I’m open to suggestions here–new word, new phrase…hmmm?
Nice one Nando !! Only you have such insight and depth on subjects that often blur and cause cause haze in anothers’ mind.
I got to learn something from your post .. I didn’t know about this whole Zeus & Apollo splitting people in half and sending them scurrying to find them … somehow changes things .. also it now makes sense when one keeps hearing that there ‘is someone’ out there who truly is compatible with you ..
Fabulous read as always my darling !! I’m working on a few dating posts – once they are up – would love your thoughts on them
have a lovely week ! xx
.-= Dazediva´s last blog ..Music Mondays 13 Taio Cruz – Break Your Heart =-.
I can’t wait to here/read your thoughts on love–you my dear have such an open and lovely perspective–so make sure to tweet me you links when they’re up. Deal!
Nando, this is the best topic!
I, too, love the idea that a soul mate complements you rather than completes you. Sort of a yin-yang thing. There has to be enough difference to balance each other’s strengths out and to challenge each other to grow. If we completed each other, we’d get bored.
.-= Miss Alpha´s last blog ..Miss Alpha is on Hiatus =-.
Yeah, the ying-yang thing–me likey, a lot. My other half–in a sexual partner, I just don’t know–I really like the idea of there being another person who complements me–because I honestly feel, can any one out there really BE MY OTHER HALF to connect with me? Am I open to that idea? That’s a lot to digest in a day–right? What do you think?
your soul’s recognition of its counterpart represents true love in some ways. therefore your soul has a counterpart or various counterparts depending on what you believe.
the ideas exist only because we believe that they do. we believe that they exist only because we have been taught that they do. i could go on this way forever until logic decides that somewhere, someone invented the idea and it spread like wildfire… an inception perhaps? maybe.
the fact is that the thought has manifested itself so therefore it is whatever you beleieve it to be.
what i do believe is that no person should EVER nor could ever complete YOU as a full circle… catch my drift?
contemplate, as nando explained is correct, but complete, NEVER.
be your own full circle before searching for any soul mate and you will be able to find what you are searching for.
never, ever look for anyone to complete you, if and when you do you will see that you can only attract the half circles out there and you end up in relationships that go nowhere.
a half a circle has two dead ends & full circles attract full circles….
be a full circle no matter what you believe in.
thanks Nando for this wonderful post.
I think we all have soul mates, but i don’t necessarily think its supposed to be the one person you marry, fall-in-love-with, completes you nonsense.
I think its the person who accepts you no matter what; the person you can fight with and ten minutes later be laughing with; the person who you know will always be in your life until your 100 years old. I decided along time ago that G-Fab was my soulmate because boyfriends come and go but he’s gonna be there forever.
.-= Coyote Rose´s last blog ..Project Runway- Do You Want to Hire Hitler 85 =-.
Hi Nando! Have you been listening to Radio Lab? They just did a show called Desperately Seeking Symmetry and opened with Plato’s story… and went on to talk a lot about symmetry, etc. SO INTERESTING – but that’s normal for Radio Lab. I freakin’ love their podcast.
Anyway. I agree that the idea of “soul mates” as one other person who completes you is dangerous and unrealistic – but altering the meaning starts to make much more sense. In addition, I think people have varying standards for that “soul mate”. For some people, let’s be honest, a pulse and warm body might just suffice. For others, the standards are much, much higher. Of course, this also means your ability to find “soul mates” that work for you varies, as well. SO, if you have high “standards”, you probably should get used to not finding “soul mates” all that often… hence you build a life that makes *you* happy and might not require someone else… hence standards for admittance into that life stay high…
Am I making any sense? Interesting topic, regardless…
I have always believed that we each have a soul-mate. But the problem is how do you recognize THE ONE even if you do manage to meet them? I think that the best advice that I have ever seen was in an e-book titled “I Have One Question” by author, Hayden Dane. After reading his book I now feel equipped to ask/answer that one question. Once that is done; you will know if in fact you have just met your soul-mate.