How do I hear the voice of my soul?
We don’t commonly ask ourselves a question unless something feels off in our life. When we feel disconnected from our true selves and stuck in the way of being, that doesn’t seem to serve us any longer.
This disconnect is often experienced as signs and symptoms. In the post, The Call of Your Soul: 10 Signs Your Soul is Speaking to You, I explore ways our soul attempts to get our attention.
For some, the signs are gradual and insidious; for others, they arise when something occurs that has us pause and rethink some of our core values and beliefs.
It’s not uncommon for people to enter a period often described as the dark night of the soul.
Ultimately these signs are a message from your soul that you are ready to embark on what, for many of us, is a new journey. A journey of awakening to uncover who you are before the world tells you who you should be.
The challenge for many of us is that we have no idea how to go about our soul-searching journey. After all, there were no classes in soul-searching when I was in school.
We weren’t taught how to understand our inner worlds of thoughts, feelings, intuitive insights, connect with an intelligent Universe or listen to our souls.
And yet, to be deeply happy and fulfilled, we need to connect with that part of ourselves that represents our true self that is energized by our soul that includes a blueprint for who we’re meant to become. Much like an acorn will become an oak tree.
Over the past years, I have experimented with countless ways to create space for my shy soul to appear.
Here are a few suggestions that I hope are helpful:
View the symptoms in your life as messengers.
This is a mindset shift for many of us. In our fast-paced, fix-it approach to life, we primarily focus on the problem and relieving the symptom to eliminate the discomfort rather than looking for a deeper cause and reason it arose in the first place.
There is a deeper meaning to what often feels like things out of our control. The soul is hungry for purpose, and when something in the outer world manifests as health issues, relationship troubles, and a life that lacks meaning, this is often a signal from the soul.
One of the most common symptoms I hear comes from a question I wrote about in the post, What Does it Mean if You Feel Something is Missing in Life?
Please pay attention to what expands your energy and what constricts it.
We all have a life force energy that flows through us. This energy source is a sign from our soul that helps us navigate the forces in our life- one force is fear/constriction, and it drives us to remain the same and in our comfort zone. The other force is love/expansion, which urges us to move through discomfort to become whole and aligned.
When something aligns with our core essence, we’ll have energy that naturally flows.
When something isn’t meant for us, our soul withdraws energy. This withdrawal of energy most often shows up in our relationships and work. This is usually a message that we are outgrowing our current situation and are meant to make some changes.
This energy withdrawal that may be mistaken for depression contains a great deal of wisdom about what is meant for us and what isn’t meant for us.
Establish regular practices that enable you to tune in and ground yourself.
The soul, while resilient, is timid.
We must create space to connect with our inner wisdom and guidance system. Practices like meditation, mindfulness, prayer, journaling, and contemplation create such a space. (I’ve pulled together a list of resources that you may find helpful). I created A Beginner’s Guide to Meditation for those who want to establish a simple meditation practice.
We must be honest about our consistency if we already have these practices.
For these practices to help us connect more deeply with ourselves, they need to become a regular part of our life. Otherwise, they may be another distraction or serve as spiritual entertainment.
Track synchronicities, coincidences, and signs from the Universe.
For many years, I have kept a journal to track signs I receive from the Universe. In this journal, I keep track of things that remind me that we live in a creative and intelligent Universe. When something curious happens as I go about my day, I take a few minutes before I go to sleep and make a quick note in my journal.
The soul often communicates through images, metaphors, dreams, intuitive hunches, and ideas that seem to pop into our minds out of nowhere. The more playful and fun we can be, the more this communication channel will be open to us.
Get curious and ask a lot of questions.
Earlier in our path, it is common for people to be impatient to get the answers so that we can get rid of what are often confusing and uncomfortable feelings.
I know I sought out guidance from energy healers, mediums, psychotherapists, past life readers, astrologers, numerologists, angel card readers, spiritual teachers, and the list goes on.
I was hoping to bypass the discomfort of not knowing and have someone give me the answers as to what my soul was asking of me.
Looking back, while I appreciated all these experiences and people, I realized that the most helpful were those that empowered me to access my inner wisdom rather than giving me the answers to my questions. Those just a little further along the path understand the awakening process.
For example, seek a meditation teacher who teaches you how to meditate rather than guides you in a pleasant experience. The angel reader teaches you how to look for your signs. The spiritual teacher helps you expand your worldview without telling you what to believe. The psychotherapist who understands the awakening process and views depression and anxiety as a sign from the soul provides valuable insight. The medical doctor knows you can’t separate the body from the soul.
This journey to connecting with our souls becomes the work of our life. To heal, grow, and evolve by living a life that aligns with who we are meant to become. When we do, we begin to feel vital, connected, and like our lives matter.
If you feel called, please leave a comment below. Our community would love to hear from you!
(Original post-May 2015; Updated May 2020)
It’s all about the synchronicities – first and foremost though, thank you for this article.
I’ve been on my journey for the past couple of years now and have gotten to the point where I feel my soul telling me – ‘okay, you’ve heard enough from the gurus and visionaries, it’s time to listen and be guided from within so you can know best how to help yourself and others.’ This was historically a difficult thing for me to do b/c my ego associated a lot of my past experiences with being the results of poor decisions I’ve made; that line of thinking held over many decades left me very little trust in myself.
To help heal this part of me, Spirit sends me a LOT of subtle, accurate, and just awe-inspiring synchronicities and correlations. For instance, I took a job in manufacturing a little over a year ago and the number of correlations that I discern between assembly, quality, process improvement, etc. and my spiritual evolution, on a daily basis, is just … WOW. But it doesn’t end there. I could be “watching” tv, listening to a song (or having lyrics pop into my head), or giving someone advice … and BOOM a correlation or synchronicity that lines up with a point of inquiry that I had been circling around. It’s almost unbelievable but it makes me feel so insulated and looked after. I like to say that every part of our lives happens on purpose with purpose – and these past few years of my life have confirmed that in powerful ways.
I want to help others who come down this path after me. I always felt like there were key pieces to the journey of evolution that are left out of the books and videos that would have been extremely helpful to me along the way. I reasoned within myself that I shouldn’t spoon-feed this information to others though because it may not help them grow, but at the same time believe that if I feel called to break certain concepts down further or speak more clearly on certain topics, then that is exactly what I should do. The crazy part is, in my current job – I experienced the same pain point as a new hire – not enough clear instruction and guidance. I am currently running a project to create more efficient training at work for those who come in brand new to the field like I did. What a coincidence right!
Hi Jessica,
WOW, I love how you have allowed the synchronicities to guide and inform your path! I also had a WOW moment this morning as I woke up and felt called to find my “synchronicity journal” and start intentionally tracking the synchronicities in my own life. I know that the more I pay attention, the more I attract synchronicities into my life. Then, after my morning spiritual practice rituals were complete I opened my emails and saw your inspiring note about synchronicities and I got goosebumps.
I truly admire you for shifting from focusing on outer gurus to your own inner guru. You are obviously very much aligned with your soul and superpowers and I love how you’re using them to support others who have similar pain points as yourself. Truly a powerful sign that you’re on the right track and being of service in this way is a true gift to others. Thank you for sharing with us here! Love, Bev
I really appreciate this article (along with many others you have written). I’ve arguably experienced the Dark Night of the Soul twice over the last 5 years (because my ego is REALLY strong), but I’ve believed there was something more to life for almost 20 years now. I’ve asked MANY questions over the years, but mostly to the echo chamber of my own mind. When I finally saw my first therapist shortly after my first DNS (Dark Night of the Soul), I really just wanted them to confirm that I wasn’t crazy. Most of those that I’ve talked to since then have not heard of DNS before, let alone experienced one themselves, so my attempt at figuring all of this out has been blind. I embarked on an hour a day meditation journey for a month in hopes to start a habit, but since they were unguided, I abandoned the practice shortly after because I was still blind. It wasn’t until my first Reiki session a couple years back, where the therapist told me she saw me as a light worker that I remotely felt confirmed in my path (whatever that path is supposed to be).
Your other post about Masculine vs. Feminine energy confirmed that I’ve been living predominantly by my Masculine energy for so long. I now recognize that there were moments where I allowed myself to be led by my Feminine energy, but my Masculine energy would eventually take over to establish order and control of my path (which ultimately leads me back into Societal norms and feeling empty, which then opens the way to Feminine again…rinse and repeat).
I have never lost the urge to uncover the deeper meaning to this path I’m on, and I have a deeper sense of wanting to light the path for others who are struggling. Words cannot express how grateful I am for having stumbled across your website. I feel inspired as to where the road less traveled can really take me, so thank you.
Hi Jason,
Thanks so very much for your articulate and beautiful summary of what this journey has entailed for you. You make such a great point and observation about needing to figure things out without the support of traditionally trained mental health professionals. I too found the same thing and realized that folks while well-meaning couldn’t guide me to places they haven’t experienced or understood. This makes for a very confusing and often lonely journey at times.
It’s wonderful to hear that you’ve been validated in integrating both your masculine and feminine energy. I love how you described that and the “rinse and repeat” is SO true!
I’m deeply grateful to hear that you’ve never lost the urge to create meaning around all this and especially your desire to light a path for others who are struggling! The world really needs you and your wisdom right now and there’s no doubt in my mind that you are ready to be that beacon of light! Much love, Bev
God I so badly want the answers. It feels like my life is falling apart and growing at the same time. I feel like my soul wants to rest, to know, I feel constricted. I’m calling on my angels to guide me and keep me together in the process. That I get the answers I’m looking for.
Hi Jennifer,
I know that you’ll get the answers to your questions at the right time and in the most mysterious ways. You are definitely not alone in this liminal space when you feel that things are falling away and arising at the same time. Much love for you journey, Bev.
Hi Bev….wanted to ask u one question….u know we started from nothingness n will go in nothingness and this all worldly drama is a play ….does this knowledge not bring a sense of unattachment in u for all the worldly activities ….what keeps u moving n motivated for all blogs 🙏🏻
Thank you for the wonderful question! For me, worldly drama creates an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth. It helps me to grow and evolve. Part of that growth is the practice of creating without attachment to the outcome. I’m motivated by a creative force to write the blogs and then practice letting go. It’s not easy, but it has become a powerful practice. Love, Bev
Hi Bev
Your article is so good and I feel very privileged to have read the incredible comments from other readers
I am just starting out on the journey of realisation and awakening, and it is a long time coming,
I now realise how the soul can speak to us in symbols, dreams and images /signs, and also that spirit guides are separate from this and also try and guide us down the right path and can show us things (if we are becoming awake I am guessing)
Please forgive me for the long comment, but the most painful thing is that I have kept going down the wrong path for 7 years,
I was and still am under coercive control through my pregnancy 7 years ago (sadly I had quite a few miscarriages not with this partner, before my beautiful little girl happened )
For years the only way I was able to see more of my little girl by seeing him more but he still has her half of the time which has made me so sad (the legal system made things worse rather than better)
I am starting to realise after being so unwell through sadness and control that I have to listen to my soul and try and get well for her, I don’t know what else to do, I have also put a vision board and bought some crystals,
Please can you guide me how to strive better to help my soul for the ultimate good to protect my little girl , I’ll read more of your articles too, thank you so much
Hi Kirsty,
Thanks so much for your kind feedback! I’m SO glad you’ve found the comments from other readers helpful. I know how inspiring it is to hear from others.
I love how you’re beginning to take your personal power back and get well for yourself which will have a huge impact on your daughter and her journey through life. The most important first step is to take responsibility for our own healing and life. I know that was a big one for me and sometimes still creeps into my thinking when I’m not mindful. It’s super easy to say “when this person changes, or this situation improves then I’ll feel better.”
Vision boards and crystals are great, but the changes need to come from inside us. When we’re starting on this awakening journey it’s often helpful to find a counselor who can help us evolve psychologicalyl, and heal then integrate past experiences. Much love to you and your daughter, Bev.
Hi Bev. I feel and at times have felt like being in a dream state. It’s called depersonalisation. It’s really frightening and apparently it’s when we have some sort of trauma as a child our mind fragments and splits off.
I keep seeing signs symbols and guidance to become a healer, shaman even etc. But really struggling with this feeling of depersonalisation and going crazy for believing in all this energy stuff. It’s like my ego wants to grip onto reality. What can you suggest apart from grounding etc.
Hi Anika,
Thank you for sharing what you’re experiencing with us! I’m not familiar with “depersonalization” so can’t really comment on that. It does however make sense that when people have experienced trauma as a child that they need to seek professional help to process the experience and heal the body, mind and soul.
I wonder if the signs and symbols you’re getting about becoming a healer are messages arising from your deeper wisdom (soul) that you’re meant to embark on your own healing journey. People that are called to healing work, are first called to their own healing.
In terms of understanding energy in the process of awakening, I just finished reading, When Spirit Leaps: Navigating the Process of Spiritual Awakening by Bonnie Greenwell, Ph.D. There’s a wealth of information in the book that may be helpful for you! Much love to you, Bev.
Hi Beverly I am looking into connecting with my soul as I believe I am here to awaken my spiritual destiny and a truly positive energy help s with showing others that through connection we can all be and live a positive existence. Could you offer myself any guidance or help please. Malcolm
Hi Malcolm – Thanks for your comment and I do agree with you that we are all ultimately here to awaken our spiritual destiny ( I love how you worded that). I’d be delighted to offer guidance and help. Please refer to the Spiritual Mentoring page on my website to see if that might resonate with you. If so, please email me (bev@bevjanisch.com) and we can go from there. Much love, Bev
i’m replying to this because i don’t know where else to get answers. I don’t understand when people say “my soul”. Like saying “my soul is giving me signs” or something like that. I thought that i AM the soul. If not then what am I. I have been growing up with my whole family being atheists but i really feel i am something more. but i am struggling with believing in spirituality just because someone told me. I always see signs in numbers and had 1 thing happen that i believe couldn’t have been a coincedence it was pretty crazy. i feel like i need to find answers within myself but at the same time i need help because i don’t know what i am. sorry if this is hard to understand and i don’t know if anyone is going to even see this lol
Hi Jamie,
Thank you for sharing such a deep reflection with us! You have asked some really powerful questions and it seems that in some ways you’re answering some of them for yourself. I have asked very similar questions about whether I “have” a soul or whether I “am” a soul. And for me, I’ve come to believe (at least in this moment) is that I am both.
I’ve also found it helpful to realize that I have both a personality (which is my ego-sense of self) AND a soul which is my higher self’s pure potential. The intention is to have your higher self (soul) flow through your personality and out into the world. Realizing that we are more than our personality/ego is the beginning of awakening to our higher self. This is where spirituality comes in.
I love how you said you’re struggling with spirituality “because someone told me”. That is the whole point about spirituality – to take what we hear, learn etc. and discern whether it resonates deep inside of us. Does it feel true? No one else can tell you that. It also sounds like you’ve had experiences that are showing you that perhaps you have different beliefs than your family who you said were atheists.
You also make such an important point about the spiritual path and the need to balance looking outside ourselves for ideas about spirituality/soul etc. and also looking inside ourselves to stay connected with our inner worlds.
Keep asking the great questions and you will live your way into the answers. Much love, Bev
Hi Bev, I woke up this morning with a curiosity about spirituality. It isn’t something I have investigated in life as I have been associating it with religion. Since researching the subject this morning it’s become obvious that it is what I’ve been missing and need to put energy into, nothing has been as relatable to me as your explanation behind what expands and reduces our energy. My life has gone from being extremely high energy and big impact, to feeling crippled with paralysis and misery. My job involves me to deliver tasks which drain me of energy at the mere thought of doing anything. This page, as well as The Call of Your Soul, has given me so much clarity and I look forward to exploring what my soul is telling me. Thank you.
Wow, Millie, I woke up this morning knowing my next blog is meant to be about why it’s deeply meaningful for me to be “spiritual and not religious.” I got goosebumps as I read your post because I’ve been reflecting a great deal about this lately. I love how you’ve identified that exploring spirituality is calling to you right now and that you’re curious. Your curiosity is going to lead you down a beautiful and expansive path and I’m very excited for you! I’m so thrilled that my reflections are helping you gain some clarity and inspiration for further exploration. Thank you so much for sharing that! Much love, Bev.
Greetings! I’m Jordan from Uganda. I’ve had trouble with connecting to my Soul and I know of the power within my Soul but recently in 2019 I faced depression, anxiety and plus as a result of drugs ( as said) and ever since then life has not been going good as I faced great hatred and felt unmotivated and the only thing I had left was music. What should I do to keep with a positive vibe and keep in my Soul all the time, aware it’s my Soul guiding me not the matrix. How can I attract my heart’s desires. Thanx!
Hi Jordan,
Thanks for sharing with us here! It sounds like you’ve gone through a really challenging and painful time with your anxiety, depression and drug use. You’re not alone! What I hear in you now is that this painful time has created a readiness to connect more deeply with the urge arising from your soul to heal and grow.
As I read your heart-felt sharing, the wisdom from Lao Tzu came to mind, “Simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.” Of these three my sense is that you’ll attract your “heart’s desires” but starting with SELF- compassion. I explain HOW to practice self-compassion in this blog which includes some resources that may be helpful. We’re all sending you love! Bev
When I was young, I am now 14 years old, I could easily connect with my soul. But one day I guess I woke up, and i lost the power of being able to connect with my soul, that year, i developed really bad depression… I could easily connect with my soul then.. over time, my depression eventually went away, and thats when I found I was struggling to connect with how my soul truly is feeling, I have been struggling with that ever since my depression went away.. i guess all i can say is, I hope these steps help me find my soul again
Hi Mya! Thank you so much for sharing with us here. Yes, what you described is what is experienced by many. Periods of times in our lives when we feel connected and other times we feel disconnected. I have noticed this in my own life as well. And really what we’re really being asked is to relax and open to what we are experiencing at the moment. Do you pray? When I say “pray” I really mean communicating with something bigger than yourself. Ask whatever “it” is for you to help you open yourself to connect with your soul. Ask this every morning before you get out of bed and every night before you go to sleep. Then once you’ve asked for help, let it go as best as you can and trust that things will shift inside of you. I trust that they will! Much love to you, Bev.
It helps me aloooot
Hi I’m really struggling with my awakening. I feel I’ve totally separated from my soul so I can’t heal. I’m able to sense/see all the blocked energy balls inside of myself. They move around but I can’t seem to relax enough to let go. I don’t know how to stop noticing them. They are physically really painful just moving around my body. Any advice would be fantastic! Best wishes! The
Hi Kerry, I’m sorry to hear you’re struggling with the “awakening” process. I know how difficult it can be. It sounds like you are very in tune with your body and sensing what is going on inside of you- which is great! It seems to me that the “blocked energy” holds the key to your healing. You had mentioned that you don’t know how to “stop noticing them,” when in fact learning how to be present with your experience more deeply may help you begin to unblock things. If you haven’t reached out to one already, perhaps an energy practitioner could help you with this. Much love- Bev
thank you,i am very lost a this time in my life.
Steven- I’m sorry you’re feeling lost! You’re not alone as we all have times when we feel lost. Much love to you, Bev