The Complete Guide to Old Souls

Everything You Need to Know About Their Characteristics, Values, and Wisdom
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The Old Soull

Being an old soul represents the final stage in the reincarnational journey that consists of five soul ages in total: infant, baby, young, mature and old. The old soul often conveys a feeling of looking back at what has been accomplished and embracing the whole of life.

To quote the original Michael transcripts, the old soul perceives itself as a part of something greater that includes itself.

With the histrionics of the relationship-oriented mature soul stage mostly behind them, old souls are now ready to tackle a more panoramic perspective of the world that sees the bigger picture and the greater truth. In short, they are going with the flow.

What Is An Old Soul? (An Old Soul Definition)

The old soul has expanded their self-awareness to a level where the drama and materialistic pursuits in the world may no longer interest them. The shackles of the 9-5 grind is a prison sentence and they'd rather create a means of employment that reflects personal values and the freedom to explore life with less abeyance to punching in a time-clock. Old souls do not possess a burning desire to make a major impact on the world and are tired of playing the material game. For that reason alone they are often deemed eccentrics by the rest of society.

Innately philosophical and prone to teach by example, the old soul provides wise tutelage to younger souls in need of wisdom and guidance. Generally relaxed and unruffled by the drama of life, old souls demonstrate how to be free of the programing of society and how to live more squarely in the present moment.

A walking contradiction at times, the old soul both embraces and rejects life. As they pull away from the trappings of the world, they may lead a life of abandonment that can leave them feeling utterly alone. Such choices are not always intentional, but their strong desire for self-reflection and solitude can remove them from the daily doings of the world -- and the old soul is more interested in being rather than doing.

Old Soul Characteristics

old soul definition

In general, the old soul will seem relaxed and laid-back, with an amusingly bedraggled appearance that may reveal wrinkles in their clothes and a softly rumpled look. They can dress as professionals when required, but the gamut of their sartorial expressions are rarely pretentious and border on the modestly disheveled.

Old Soul Eyes

Old souls are unafraid to make strong eye contact, not as a strange power gesture but from a genuine interest. Wisdom is reflected there. Being in the present moment, their minds don't wander as much when they speak to you, such as fretting over quarrels at work or unpaid bills. In short, they SEE you.

The Old Soul and Leisure

The old soul is also a creature of leisure. They may even seem lazy on the surface -- although they can work very hard if the task is meaningful. Old souls are also prone to dabble in a multitude of hobbies, perfecting a skill or talent and then tossing it aside in favor of something else. They are often not interested in finishing their study; they just wanted to resurrect a latent talent from a past life to see if they could do it again.

Old Souls and Relationships

The old soul can be detached in relationships and not as prone to the emotional upheavals that may occur with younger-souled couples. Physical appearance is of less importance and the focus is more about what's inside a person, with a healthy respect for any differences and personal idiosyncrasies. Relationships are often long-lasting and loving, and there may be a desire for more sensuality than sex.

Old Soul Values

Being philosophically inclined, the old soul values good conversation and deep thoughts. Their views may seem out-of-step with society and they don't mind. They take personal responsibility for their place in the world and foster an attitude of you go your way and I'll go mine. The old soul has also learned not to resist life, accepting the things that cannot be changed and skillfully adapting to the many forks in the road.

Although not always religious, the old soul may pursue spiritual development with a special interest in teaching others on the path. Old souls like to teach by example. They are frequently drawn to Nature, the arts, and are often multi-talented.

Signs Of An Old Soul: Key Points

Old souls are philosophically oriented and strive to see the bigger picture. Their motto is live and let live.

They are generally compassionate and kind but should guard against a streak of arrogance.

They believe there is more to life than money and the relentless pursuit of material possessions.

Old souls are often considered eccentrics when compared to the rest of society.

With so many lifetimes under their belt, they possess many gifts and talents.

They can seem relaxed and unassuming, even in a crisis.

The old soul is mostly detached from the drama of life and prefers to do their own thing.

 

 


The Positive and Negative Poles


The Old Soul Stages: Seven Steps to Wholeness

The seven stages of the old soul follow a navigation through growth and self-discovery. As the old soul progresses in spiritual development, the ultimate purpose over a course of lifetimes is to attain a state of BEING: the final destination where peace and wholeness beautifully intertwine.

Important: None of this should be confused with the soul levels.

This approach charts the degrees of polarity that shift to and fro between the negative and positive poles of the old soul. You could also consider this the shifting degrees of essence.

Everyone experiences these fluctuations. This guides attempts to give names and descriptions of these peaks and valleys to assist you on your spiritual path. It also shows that the old soul is not just one haloed state of indisputable enlightenment, as some Internet bloggers like to romanticize, but various degrees of perception that must be carefully navigated to reach full potential.

Here are the seven stages:

1) Withdrawal (Negative Pole)
2) Unawareness
3) Avoidance
4) Neutrality
5) Wisdom
6) Unity
7) Being (Positive Pole)

In this system, the first three degrees of polarity are negative (or fear-based) and have no real contact with essence. These represent the degrees of false personality.

The fourth stage is neutral. It's neither negative nor positive and allows some contact with essence. Many souls feel comfortable at this stage and often fixate there. It offers a balance of old soul attributes, but doesn't present as many opportunities for growth. You're not challenged as frequently. But it's a safe spot to rest.

Beyond that, stages 5, 6, 7 are positive pole areas, with open access to essence. The 7th stage being the most positive. According to my channeled notes, many people never reach the 7th stage.

These negative and positive poles have been adjusted from Yarbro's original terminology to make them more user-friendly. For instance, the initial negative pole for the old soul was "Self-Envelopation," which is indeed fitting, but for certain students, it appeared a bit confusing to grasp. In the context of Yarbro, It's like the soul hermetically seals itself off from the rest of the world. Enveloping itself within, away from contact with others. These are souls that don't feel like they belong here. They try to make themselves disappear.

The Seven Old Soul Stages (Explained)

Stage 1: WITHDRAWAL (Negative Pole) - This stage finds the old soul withdrawn from the world. As they increasingly feel more isolated and introspective, they may lose touch with the natural rhythms of life. This often leaves them feeling overwhelmed or overburdened. They retreat into a dark cavern of their own incessant thoughts and emotions, struggle with self-doubt, cannot substantiate their own ideas, and, as a result, choose to disengage from the external world. The 7th level hoboes once described in Yarbro are apt examples of this negative pole.

The challenge at this stage is to restore connections with others and exchange genuine emotions with them. Reclaim your humanity.

Stage 2: UNAWARENESS - At this stage, a state of unawareness, often intentionally sought, leaves the soul feeling disconnected from others and the world. Characterized by chaotic thinking and shiftless impulses, the soul may feel lost, confused, and alienated from their true life path. States of apathy are common at this level, with life dismissals of "What's the point?" Depression can be a frequent bedfellow here, as well as self-destructive behavior.

The challenge at this stage is to get a reality check of what's been good and bad in life, and start living again in spite of it.

Stage 3: AVOIDANCE - The old soul may use this level as a fortification against life. It's a defense mechanism for when intense emotions and heightened situations have become unduly challenging. It's like a suit of armour that offers some temporary protection from fear-based scenarios, but it can also hinder personal growth and potential. More negative outcomes include a low self-esteem, missed opportunities in life, such as the intimacy of relationships, and a host of unresolved issues that will never untangle themselves until they are properly faced. An old soul at this level avoids anything they perceive as uncomfortable or threatening.

The challenge at this stage is to face each fear, one by one, and reclaim your sense of power.

Stage 4: NEUTRALITY - We often refer to this as the stereotypical level of old soul detachment. Many old souls, especially at this stage, possess a veneer of neutrality that's noticeably detectable in their presence. Think of old soul personalities like Albert Einstein, Carl Jung, or Eleanor Roosevelt who were highly intelligent and insightful, yet somewhat withdrawn. Gifted with the ability to see things as they truly are, these detached old souls were like a mirror that reflected the world around them without judgment or reactionary emotions.

On the downside, too much detachment can leave one feeling as if they are going through the motions and not living life to its fullest. Neutrality, as a whole, is not negative, and it can provide a temporary respite that lends much needed peace to the journey — but it should not remain a permanent stop along the way.

The challenge at this stage is to stop using detachment as a shield and express genuine and healthy emotions, with a goal of making real connections with others.

Stage 5: WISDOM - At this stage, the true gifts of old soul perception come to fruition. The wisdom from accumulated past lives and the natural big-picture orientation of the old soul are more available. This all leads to new levels of understanding for the old soul, and patterns and connections that others miss are readily seen and used to make better choices and impart wisdom to others. With more wisdom comes greater balance in life, and an ability to see the long-term consequences of actions, and handle life's challenges with loving-kindness and grace.

The challenge at this stage is to spread your wisdom far and wide. Either through example, or by venturing out into the world.

Stage 6: UNITY- At this transformative stage, the old soul feels connected to something greater than themselves. An ability to see the beauty of the world is instilled, including the arts and the natural splendor of everything. More compassion and an understanding of the perspectives of others is available, along with the inner peace of living in the present moment. With this unity, a sense of wholeness and interconnectedness pervades. At last, the shackles of the ego are let go.

The challenge at this stage is to stay grounded and appreciate the simple things in life.

Stage 7: BEING (Positive Pole) - The pinnacle of the old soul's journey, at this stage, essence is fully on board. The old soul feels aligned with their authentic self and the world. This is truly viewing the world from the mountaintop. Whereas Stage 6 is about connection and oneness, which brings the virtues of compassion, understanding, and forgiveness into the fold, Stage 7 rises to higher states of presence and awareness, instilling a greater sense of wisdom, power, and equanimity. This is the energy of the King. Stage 7 is a rare state of being that only a small percentage of people at the old soul stage ever reach.

The challenge at this stage is to only live in the moment, not in the future or in the past. You have earned the right to JUST BE.

 David Gregg


famous old souls


Other Famous Old Souls: Marcus Aurelius, J.S. Bach, Brandon Bays, Madame Blavatsky, Jeff Bridges, Deepak Chopra, Leonardo da Vinci, Placido Domingo, Jerry Garcia, Paul Gauguin, George Gershwin, Scarlett Johannson, Carl Jung, Tommy Lee Jones, Danny Kaye, Jack Kerouac, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, Herman Melville, Laurence Olivier, Stephen Sondheim, John Steinbeck. Marianne Williamson.

Explore More Famous Old Souls

Read our compiled list of well-known figures who were channeled in the Michael teachings as old souls. Delve into the lives and legacies of these renowned figures and discover the hallmarks of these souls that are wise beyond their years.

Famous Old Souls (Part One) | Famous Old Souls (Part Two)


FEATURED OLD SOUL: ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Abraham Lincoln was an American lawyer, politician, and statesman, who served as the 16th president of the United States, from 1861 until his assassination in 1865.

Old Soul Characteristics:

• Seeking the Bigger Picture: Lincoln's dedication to preserving the Union and abolishing slavery could be seen as a manifestation of his desire for a more just and unified society, aligning with the "seeking the bigger picture" trait.

• Wisdom and Guidance: Lincoln's leadership qualities, his ability to navigate complex political situations, and his use of powerful rhetoric could reflect the wisdom and guidance often associated with old souls.

• Detachment from Material Pursuits: While Lincoln was ambitious, his focus seems to have been on the greater good rather than personal gain. This detachment from materialism is a classic old soul characteristic.

Challenges of an Old Soul:

• Feeling Out of Place: Lincoln's struggles with depression and melancholy could be interpreted as a reflection of an old soul feeling out of place in his time.

• Disconnection from Others: The challenges Lincoln faced in uniting the country and the internal conflicts within his own party could represent the difficulty old souls sometimes experience in connecting with those who don't share their vision.

• Focus on Character: As an old soul, Lincoln's life undeniably displayed admirable qualities like courage, perseverance, and a strong moral compass. His dedication to a greater purpose, his wisdom in navigating political turmoil, and the potential challenges faced showed clear signs of an old soul perspective.

 


Old Soul Quotes

old soul quotes


Discover timeless wisdom and insights with our complete collection of Old Soul Quotes.



The Old Soul

At the end of a full life comes the time of old age. Much that can be said about an Old soul is what would be said about an old person. Usually old people have traveled to many places and done many things. They are a storehouse of wisdom and understanding because of this range of experience. But in spite of their competence they do not usually accomplish very much. Because of the age of the body, there is often a tiredness about them that prevents much expenditure of effort. They are quieter than younger people, have a more relaxed lifestyle, and are more subdued in their manner of expression. They have mellowed out considerably compared to their younger days. The energy and excitement of youth is mostly gone. It is very similar with Old souls. They have access through the subconscious to a great wealth of experience. Often they become teachers to pass this knowledge and wisdom on, but to a limited number of students — there is little desire or effort to release their understanding into the world in general. In fact, in the last Levels, some Old souls can be so world-weary that they are ready to just lay down and die. Like a person in the last decade of life, the Old soul is "winding down" so to speak, or "in retirement", preparing for death, settling the estate, and tying up loose ends. In terms of the theory of reincarnation, the Old soul is clearing the way for the final break with the physical plane.

Not unlike the Infant soul, but for different reasons, it is rare for an Old soul to make a great contribution to society or culture. The reason for this is that they have largely given up on the world. It just does not seem worth the trouble to spend a lot of energy for things that do not last. Material things just decay anyway, so why invest in that? The other problem is that they are advanced in their perceptions to such an extent that the genius of their contributions would go unappreciated by the great majority of people, the Establishment. Old souls know this and do not even try to get them to see it. Younger souls, who largely control the course of society, cannot understand Old souls, and regard them and their notions as eccentric. Old souls are perceived to be "far out", or "cranks", if they do make themselves noticed. Younger souls are often too busy to stop and really listen to the wisdom of Old souls anyway. For these reasons, Old souls are rarely the movers and shakers of culture. As it is with many young people and old people, the situation is that the younger are out doing their thing and do not have time to listen to the old folks anyway. So the old folks do not even try to communicate. Old souls often have difficulty with self-esteem because their perceptions and values are not shared by the rest of society.

The Old Soul Is Often A Loner

In their social lives, Old souls are often loners. They go their own way, caring little for societal norms. They are a rare breed, comprising about eleven percent of the population. On the fringes of society, they obey the rules of their culture only as required to get by without causing trouble. They have very little attachment to encounters of a casual nature, such as coworkers and neighbors. Even their sense of connection to blood relatives is not very strong. They generally shun heavy entanglements with other people. When they do get involved, it is because there is a strong spiritual bond. By this is meant that either there is a karmic attachment (past-life association), or what Michael calls an "agreement" — a contract made between lifetimes to conduct a relationship.

A specific case mentioned by Michael is that Old souls seek to be united with the other fragments of their Entity. When Old souls do seek companionship, they often do so in metaphysical groups — astrology and tarot classes, psychic endeavors, and so on. Here they will be most likely to meet those with whom they have spiritual connections. They seek out the few others who are like themselves, and form networks of people with similar interests. This is not usually for the purpose of business advancements like Young souls, or for psychological comfort like Mature souls, but just to share being with other Old souls. When Old souls "party", they usually sit around and just talk. In dating situations, they do not need to go anywhere (like to a movie) or do anything (like play games) as a means to developing social intimacy. If the basis for psychological intimacy is not quickly apparent to the Old soul, he will not put himself through much trouble to develop it. It is difficult for Old souls to weld unions with people that they have not been together with in numerous past lifetimes.

Old Souls Are Individualistic

Old souls are individualistic — they believe that people should basically do whatever they want to do, so long as it doesn't hurt anyone else. The motto of the Old soul is, "You do what you want, and I'll do what I want". They rarely campaign for anything. They do not want to change the world — they just let it be. You might say they have the ultimate "laissez faire" (leave it alone) attitude — let nature take its course and don't interfere with the system. "Live and let live" is another appropriate motto for the Old soul. They rarely organize into social clubs which have a hierarchical structure of leaders and followers, or join organizations which promote some cause. Rather, they form loose networks of friends and associates having common interests.

Old souls are operating in a dimension of personality different from the previous ages: the Infant, Baby, Young, and Mature soul ages. This puts them in a class by themselves since the Transcendental and Infinite souls only rarely manifest on the physical plane according to Michael (explained in the following section). And indeed, the Old soul is likely to sense his differentness. He may even think perhaps he does not belong on this planet. Old souls make up from 10 to 15 percent of the population.

An Old soul contains some of each of the overleaf traits in his personality. Like a person with the Acceptance goal, the Old soul is very tolerant of the differences in others and seeks to unify them. Like a person in the Power Mode, they are confident and assured of their abilities. Like a person in the Selfishness Feature, they are hedonistic in their desire to do what they want. Like Sages, they express wisdom to others. Like Idealists, they perceive the unity and beauty in the world. Like people in the Intellectual Center, they respond to situations by including them in their philosophical scheme.

The Old soul is in the process of removing himself from entanglement with the usual affairs of life. He does not have a strong sense of attachment or kinship with the world such as is possessed by younger souls. He wants to purge and purify himself of materialistic connections. His primary motivation becomes the pursuit of some specific life task, or perhaps spiritual refinement.

Like the Baby soul, it is unusual for the Old soul to pursue a career as such. That is, he may have a long-term occupation, but it is not his main interest in life. Most often a job is taken which does not overly tax or challenge the Old soul. This leaves him with enough spare energy to pursue his real purposes, such as resolving karmic entanglements, and pursuing truth and wisdom.

The Old Soul Has Few Psychological Problems

Old souls have very few psychological problems to deal with. Presumably, these have been worked through in previous lifetimes. Their subconscious access to depths of experience means that there is very little they do not understand about what is going on, both out in the world and within themselves. But Old souls do have one significant problem, and that is that they are subject to psychological depression. All the soul ages can be, to some extent, but especially the Old soul. The reason for this is that, to them, life seems heavy and boring — "life is a drag". They perceive that it is all a game, a contrived situation, and they no longer want to play the game. They feel like they have seen it all, so what is there left to live for? The material pursuits of Young souls seem quite futile to them, so what is there to get interested in? Even the Mature soul's excitement about newfound truth seems passé to Old souls. This ennui can severely limit an Old soul's happiness and well-being, and be a source of misunderstanding for younger souls who are enjoying life. Whether he understands it consciously or not in terms of reincarnation, the Old soul simply wants to graduate from the physical plane, and go on to new and better things in the higher planes.

But most Old souls do come around to the understanding of reincarnation at some time in their lives, even in countries where this is not taught as a dogma. It is possible for a person at any age and Level to have an appreciation of this metaphysical tenet, but to most Old souls it seems intuitively obvious. This is one of the perceptions that is inherent by reason of the depth of contact with the subconscious present in the Old soul.

The Old Soul Is Easy To Be Around

Old souls are typically easy for other people to get along with. They are usually agreeable associates because they know how to be gracious. The worst that can be said about Old souls is that they are often detached and aloof, perhaps even uninvolved. Younger souls do not understand this, although they may admire the fact that an Old soul can remain so cool in situations that younger souls find upsetting. There is not much in an Old soul that can offend a younger soul, though there is much that can be misunderstood by him. To some it may seem that Old souls do not care. It is more accurate to say that they are non-attached. They do not make much investment in what is going on around them, and do not have strong expectations for any particular outcome. Whatever will be will be, so why fight reality? Old souls inherently perceive the broader perspective. They see that the world rolls on, day after day, year after year, millennium after millennium, with the same basic stories being told time after time with minor variations. Old souls know the big lesson of the whole maturation cycle, and that is nonjudgmental acceptance of anything and everything. What little they cannot abide, Old souls simply avoid. Rarely do they seek to change things.

Old souls tend to follow the course of greatest efficiency. They seem to glide effortlessly through life. They "go with the flow", and they "follow the path of least resistance". Younger souls regard this as sheer laziness — lack of drive and willpower. This trait has its advantages and disadvantages. The good thing is that they are graceful and gracious when it comes to dealing with other people. The disadvantage is that they may lack the initiative to do what could be done. They often come up with great and innovative ideas because of their advanced and efficient perceptions, but they lack the energy to bring them to completion.

It is not intended that the above comments be used by Old souls as excuses for laziness and indifference. Once an Old soul realizes the cause of his condition, he can then take steps to mitigate it or direct it wisely. He need not pursue the goals of younger souls or share their value systems, but he can take his legitimate place as a valuable member of society if he wants to. As with senior citizens, just because the Old soul is "retired" does not mean he is worthless and powerless. Indeed, an Old soul can bring considerable wisdom and competence to bear in fulfilling a significant life task.

Old Souls Are Inherently Ethical

Because of their advanced perceptions, Old souls are inherently ethical in behavior, feeling, and thought. They do not have to be taught right and wrong by parents or society. There is some socializing to be done when they are children of course, but the programming for decency, honesty, and integrity is inborn. It is as if they are grown-up even when they are children. They always feel like they are older than their chronological age. They are conscientious and responsible. They are not usually jealous, envious, possessive, or pushy — any one of a number of things which involve attachment to other people. When Old souls are dealing with these ethical issues, it is with their subtle aspects. They are gentle toward the faults of others. The harsh perceptions often present in younger souls are absent here. They rarely perceive actions as being truly evil. Rather, they regard things that cause suffering as foolish and primitive, and they seek to cure the cause of the problem by imparting mature knowledge and understanding.

Old souls try to maintain neutrality in time of war. It is part of their non-attachment. There are certain nations listed by Michael as being primarily populated by Old souls, such as Switzerland, Holland, and Iceland, who value their independence and neutrality in political issues. Switzerland plays host to the Young soul nations at the Geneva peace talks, but does not get involved in their Young soul do-it-my-way games. If Old souls care anything for politics, it is that they are pacifists. Most often they are simply apolitical — they do not get involved with it at all.

Old Souls See The Big Picture

Old souls have a universal perspective. They are not so much involved in family issues like Baby souls, or tribal issues like Infant souls, or national issues like Young souls, or global issues like Mature souls. Old souls see the cosmic picture. Old souls see themselves and others as parts of a larger system. Their attention is on the workings of this system. They see how all parts of the system relate to each other rather than getting lost in the petty details. The depth of wisdom of Old souls shows in their eyes. They have a direct, penetrating stare — it looks right through you, seeming to know. Profound issues are their concern, not the trivial. In their efficiency, they want to get right to the heart of the matter and skip all the superficialities.

Old souls are casual and easygoing about everything. Nothing is any big deal to them. Almost never are they outrageous or outlandish. They are rarely concerned with outward appearances — external image or formal trappings. In extreme cases they can even appear sloppy in clothes or habitat. Rarely are they overly concerned with what other people think.

Old souls pursue education with the same casual attitude as they do everything else in life. Grades are of very little value to them. The learning itself isn't all that important unless it furthers a specific life task. Old souls tend to cut out the material pursuits that occupy so much of the time and energy of younger souls, and concentrate what little energy they have on spiritual integrity. By this is meant the need to understand the truth, and the reason for things. Old souls rarely participate in organized religion. They are often drawn rather to metaphysics, mysticism, philosophy, and the occult in their quest for understanding. It is difficult for them to synthesize their physical with their spiritual selves. They often seek unorthodox and holistic medicine rather than going to the medical establishment.

Old Souls Are Not Mainstream

In some ways, it can be said that Old souls are in the most difficult age. In the first place, they do not fit in with the culture so they are often thought bizarre. They are definitely out of the mainstream of society and care little for its formal institutions. In the second place, they are often too world-weary to do what needs to be done to solve their own problems, let along anyone else's. Since they tend to follow the path of least resistance, unless they feel internal and external forces pushing them, they don't go anywhere or do anything. No matter how much they might need it for building character, they will only tolerate just a certain amount of stress in any given situation. Then they will get depressed and just chuck it all and move on. In the third place, there is a certain arrogance in Old souls in that they often feel they cannot learn from younger souls. They are aware of their maturity, even if only subliminally, and regard younger souls as foolish. This is not truly wise. There is always much to learn, even from one's juniors. In the fourth place, there is very little left that Old souls want to experience in life. They feel like they have done it all — so why bother to do more? "There is nothing new under the sun" is another good motto for the Old soul.

Even sex is not highly prized by the Old soul. He is usually competent therein, but his lack of interest for it, and the lack of passion in it, can be disconcerting to younger souls who still prize sex highly. Old souls are often hedonistic and sensual, however, and can have a bawdy sense of humor. Old souls are often androgynous (having balanced masculine and feminine characteristics), and occasionally bisexuality is a part of their lifestyle. Gender identification is often weak in this Age because of subconscious contact with the whole psyche, which includes both masculine and feminine characteristics. What the Old soul seeks in romantic relationships is a "soul mate" — someone to whom he relates on a soul level. This might be someone else with whom he has spent many lifetimes, or another soul in his own Entity. The drive for this is so strong that it could be described as a compulsion.

Like an old person, the Old soul is in the process of withdrawing from the physical plane. He does not want to make an investment in something that he regards as ephemeral and transitory. The motivation now is for spiritual purity. Most of the Monads which it is established for the Old soul to complete have to do with being, rather than doing (like the Young soul) or feeling (like the Mature soul). The Old soul just is. He simply experiences life as it passes through his consciousness. He is not unlike an Infant soul in that he often leads a simple life. He does not want to complicate it with intense relationship entanglements and severe challenges. In a reincarnational sense, Old souls are paying off final karma, and they do not want to incur any more, so they play it safe by remaining apart from the heavy drama that entertains younger souls.

 Phil Wittmeyer


The Old Soul: Channeled Q & A

Q: What Are The Soul Age Levels of Old Souls?

           

MICHAEL: In the Old level, the final one for the fragments of the physical cycle, the seven levels are similar to what has gone before, with the exception that all is now turned more inward. The first level is still concerned with the energy of the Mature cycle and its emotional character. It has finished the 7th level Mature as a pulling together all of the lessons of that level, but it has no real experience with the Old level energy as such just yet. The several lifetimes that are necessary to adjust to the new energy allow the fragment to become comfortable in its space there.

           

Then it comes to the second level, a time of diving into the work of the Old level but stepping back often because of its unfamiliarity. This is a dramatic, often wearying number of lives as the fragment learns to find its balance once more.

           

The third level is one of interior activity, weighing and measuring, putting things in perspective, ready to launch fully into the choices of the Old level.

           

The fourth is one of outward activity, fully into the energy of the Old soul experience, fully concerned with taking care of the lessons that are wrapping up the cycle. These experiences can include setting out to bring the knowledge of the Tao within the framework of the individual role. Even those who we characterize as those in the waking sleep feel the urge to honor truth, as nearly as they can understand it, by exploring the terrain. For those who are awake, it is a time of activity with a purpose.

           

The fifth level of Old is sometimes thought of as a not-quite-here kind of experience. Fragments make choices that may seem quite outlandish to others, and what is more, they do not seem to mind at all that they are perceived as strange or odd. The pull of the finish is beginning to tell on them. Spiritual elements are very strongly pursued, the matters of the physical plane become uninteresting. These fragments may find familial connections difficult, economic responsibilities even more so. Relationships are probably much less intense as the Old fragment tends to work its single-minded way towards the end.

           

The six level is the time of freeing itself from all karmic responsibilities. Every karma ribbon will be burned before the end of the lives in this level. This leads to this level being somewhat long for some fragments, necessitating many lives in order to meet and finish all karmic agreements. Since the physical problems of geography, age, and so forth can be a very real deterrent to two fragments meeting to conclude these matters, there is an effort between lives to come to agreements that will balance these karmas with honor on the astral.

           

The seventh stage of the Old level is turned toward the end. Old fragments in general find it difficult to get very concerned about such things that Mature fragments get incensed over. And those who are in the final lives of the cycle are even more distanced from these concerns. The fragment is turned in, aware of self-karmic needs, lessons relating to the individual's mastery of the physical plane. Self-awareness is the lesson here, acceptance is the goal, no matter what the chosen 'goal' has been. The lesson of Acceptance, of Agape, is the final work of the fragment on this plane. When this lesson has been fully acknowledged, the fragment is ready to cycle off.

Channeled by Nancy Gordon


           

Q: It Has Been Said That Old Souls Learn Through Terror. Explain.

             

MICHAEL: Terror is a highly subjective term and one person's impression of it can vastly differ from that of another. We will say up front then that one size does not fit all in this context.   We have said previously that old souls evolve by "facing" their fears, so we'll offer a variation on that to explore how old souls learn through the terror of self-deception. This, however, should not be confused with the self-deception that can plague the artisan.

It might be helpful to show the dualities that are symbolic in each soul age:

             

 • Infant Souls: Life/Death
 • Baby Souls: Right/Wrong
 • Young Souls: Win/Lose
 • Mature Souls: Love/Fear
 • Old Souls: Truth/Illusion

             

Since Old souls don't like to get mired down in the incidental details of life, they prefer to see the larger perspective, or the blueprint, if you will, of how the world is pieced together to create the whole. In order to burn away the fog of self-deception, Old souls shine their rays of truth on everything they encounter, so it is terrifying for them to realize they have been duped at their own game.              

             

Self-deception can often lead the old soul to mistakenly support an unjust cause, adopt harmful belief systems, or be led astray by an errant philosophy. This psychological terror then impels the old soul to see beyond the illusions and parlor tricks in life and look for the trapdoor that's hidden beneath the magician's table.

             

The challenge of introspection can also reveal many inner demons that the old soul might want to avoid or forget. Refusing to accept negative aspects of either past or present personalities, however, can lead to an internal form of self-deception. Growth comes from accepting unsavory parts of self that, while they may be terrifying to look at, have played an integral role in the overall development of the soul.

Channeled by David Gregg


                           

Q: Discuss the Old Soul and Sexuality

                                       

MICHAEL: The old soul is casual about sex in the earlier levels because erotic love begins to lose its charm. In the final level, the old soul often does not participate for lack of purpose (sex adds nothing to its life). The old soul is intensely sensual, however, and does enjoy close physical contact. The old soul is usually an experienced and exciting partner for a soul in an earlier cycle, but can be a very disappointing lover because of its nonchalance.

Channeling from the Michael Teachings Transcripts


                                      

Q: Discuss the Old Soul and Religion

                                                      

MICHAEL: The religion of the old soul is expansive and includes unorthodox rituals. Groves of trees become cathedrals, and the presence of the realized masters is often felt by older souls. The synthesis is perceived in the final cycle, and old souls seldom cling to dogma.

Channeling from the Michael Teachings Transcripts


                                      

Q: Share Common Misunderstandings About The Old Soul

                                      

MICHAEL: Perhaps the greatest misunderstanding is that old souls are models of spiritual wisdom and enlightenment. All souls, regardless of their age, are capable of attaining enhanced states of awareness. That the old soul is more open to pursuing a spiritual path lends a slight advantage, but many old souls never listen to the soft murmur of essence, choosing instead to feed the hunger of false personality. Distortions of the truth and outright illusion are the prime nutrients that feed false personality, and some old souls are unaware just how often they are disconnected from their authentic selves.

                     

Another common misunderstanding is that the old soul represents a higher level of evolvement, with the implication that soul age is a hierarchical structure and one level is better than another. Think of the fable about the tortoise and the hare. In their race to the finish line, each step is just as vital as the previous or ensuing steps. The steps required to get from point A to point B are of equal importance and value. Alternate routes could be considered and some souls choose shortcuts, but in an incarnational cycle, the destination is ultimately the same. The journey would not be as complete or meaningful without all the necessary steps, give or take a few.

                     

A less frequent misunderstanding but a perpetual source of confusion is that old souls are incapable of making a living in a young soul world. This could not be further from the truth. While the old soul may long for less competition and monotony in their occupation, old souls are highly competent workers who have considerable past life experience to offer to the world.

Channeled by David Gregg



Old Soul Elitism


Being an old soul is often considered hallowed ground for the spiritually-minded since this is the incarnational stage of all the accumulated wisdom collected over an arduous series of past life experiences. Thus, if someone is thought to be an old soul, it is immediately assumed this person is brimming with spiritual knowledge and wisdom. 

In the eyes of the Tao (or God), however, old souls are not any better than the other soul ages. Each soul age looks at life through a perspective that's appropriate for the life lessons needed to be learned at that stage of development. 

Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, an early level old soul, is a shining example of the vision an old soul can bring to society. But there is often a lack of neutrality about the old soul in some spiritual communities, with an unrealistic trend that deifies this soul age, placing it in a hierarchy above the rest. That's counter-productive and not a true reflection of reality. All souls have equal value, regardless of soul age.

 

How Old Souls Make a Difference in a Young Soul World


In the channeling below, the ripple effect created by others is discussed. 

We all know that just about everyone we encounter has something to teach us. If it's not in the didactic sense, it's in stirring a more profound realization about ourselves, perhaps something we need to acknowledge and work on. There are so many things to learn about. 

One aspect of old soul disease is to react to life too passively and merely go wherever it leads us. That can be a useful technique temporarily, perhaps in an objective Buddhist sense, but it falls apart if we ONLY react to life and never start our own ripples in the pond. Young souls are great at starting ripples. Things go awry, however, when they become overly attached to an outcome or harshly collide with the desired outcomes of others. It's always about seeking the proper balance in these things: Not too passive, not too aggressive, but focused on finding the middle way. The following channeling elucidates this neutral approach.

Most old souls quickly realize upon reaching adulthood that if they are to survive in what seems like a highly competitive world, they will need to lower their expectations and recalibrate their value system. Many parts of your current society demand conformity and those that stray outside the lines in the adult coloring book, often find themselves severely penalized.

Souls with the true entrepreneurial spirit to "think outside the box," to coin a popular phrase, may become one of the game-changers, but the majority of souls play the societal game with caution and little risk-taking. And that is perfectly understandable. To lose at the game of life, as it currently plays out, is catastrophic.

This world arena, as you may surmise, is not easy for the old soul. Old souls don't mind playing by the rules, but the daily grind of attaining achievement and success does not hold as much appeal for them. Their heart is just not in it.

The question, then, of how the old soul can make a difference in a young soul world is not as easily answered for this segment of the population, which barely represents 12%.

Overall, old souls make a difference when they model an example of how to be in the world, either on their own terms or the terms set by the society they live in. To make a difference, then, that is one that draws attention and ushers in change, the old soul needs to leverage the resources of a larger group that share a similar vision. This can be off-putting to old souls who prefer to be loners rather than joiners. They rarely possess the legions of followers necessary to rally the cry around a particular cause or social issue. There have been exceptions, however.

As alluded to earlier, a charismatic politician like Bernie Sanders is a notable example of an old soul that used a network of followers to make an impact on the greater public.

On a much smaller scale, the solitary old soul makes a difference by being a model of higher consciousness to every soul encountered. Old souls set this example through the way they interact with others at work, at shopping malls, at grocery stores, behind the wheels of cars, and in other situations where the consciousness of the old soul shines through.

Never underestimate the impact a single person can have in the world, even if the effect is minimal and only involves a hundred people throughout a lifetime. Old soul consciousness can have a ripple effect that influences those people into modeling their own examples for hundreds more. Through the process of exponential growth, a highly conscious soul, even one living in a rural area, can through the long term impact of the ripples they cause, make a difference in thousands of lives. Little things matter.

While jet-setters may criss-cross the world in private planes and negotiate deals that earn millions of dollars for greedy over-achievers, some old souls are quietly making significant changes in the world, one person at a time. It all depends on your perspective.

 Channeled by David Gregg


Are You An Old Soul?

Are you wondering what does it mean to be an old soul? Take our old soul test and discover if your soul age is either infant, baby, young, mature, or old soul. Click the button below to take the old soul quiz. Have fun!


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Further Reading in Our "Old Soul" Series


THE OLD SOUL (Essay): Famous Old Souls | Famous Old Souls 2 | Old Soul Quotes | Essence of Old Souls | Old Soul Love | Old Soul Test | Mature/Old Soul Comparison | Are Old Souls Shy? | Are Old Souls Rare? | Do Old Souls Get Angry? | Are Old Souls Lazy? | Do Old Souls Have Harder Lives? | Old Soul Definition (Basic) | Older is Not Better


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The Seven Soul Ages
Infant Soul | Baby Soul | Young Soul | Mature Soul | Old Soul

 

 

 

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