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Elizabeth Gilbert Talks Soulmates
I was sitting down to lunch the other day and I flipped on the TV to find Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the beautiful book Eat, Pray, Love
I’d been looking for some source of inspiration all week after feeling a little stuck and Elizabeth was a breath of lovely, fresh air for me. She is composed, still, gracious and emanates warmth in her very being.
What I loved most of the entire interview was the part where Elizabeth spoke about her relationship with her husband. Oprah asked her about the definition of a ’soulmate’. In essence, Elizabeth feels the word ’soulmate’ is toxic. We have romanticised the sentiment when in fact it is a cover for nothing more than ‘infatuation’, which is a dysfunctional way to conduct a relationship.
“I don’t feel like my husband is my soulmate - thank God!” said Elizabeth “I feel like he’s my husband. I have my own soul, he has his own soul. We are each others’ mates.”
This way, she says, they can walk forward together in life, side by side, looking ahead together, as opposed to being sewn together, introverted and inward looking, depending on each other like oxygen.
She very elegantly writes in Eat, Pray, Love
“People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that’s what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life.
A true soul mate is probably the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave.
A soul mates purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master…”
I think what she says is wonderful. How many times have you wondered if you’re missing out on your ’soulmate’, or had your head turned by a new infatuation, wondering if you’re actually meant to be with that person? Hollywood hands us a rose-tinted version of romance and we swallow it willingly. In a recent post on Mamamia.com.au, I wrote about the Edward Factor and how it can taint your relationship if not put in perspective.
What do you think? Do you agree with Elizabeth Gilbert?
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One comment for “Elizabeth Gilbert Talks Soulmates”
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YES! Elizabeth Gilbert is correct and Eat Pray Love is a magnificent book. AND…..be sure to read her words carefully because she says the way we have “romaniticized” the word of soulmate is toxic, the misbeliefs are toxic. A soulmate, the way I define it, is someone you can completely be yourself with. Someone you love unconditionally. And…they are also your mirror and every day is not a walk in the park but when you are with your soulmate there is o better spiritual path to be on.