The soulmate experience: A phenomenological investigation

Bloomstein, Y. (2001). The soulmate experience: A phenomenological investigation. (Doctoral dissertation, Pacifica Graduate Institute, 2001). UMI no. 3015795

This pioneering investigation used the phenomenological research methods of Amedeo Giorgi in order to understand the lived experience of the soulmate phenomenon. Data were collected through in-depth interviews. The meanings that were embedded in the narratives were sorted out by the phenomenologically oriented researcher. The design of this inquiry focused on understanding the lived world of the participants. Since the interviewer is the research instrument, careful attention was paid to verbal as well as non-verbal cues. The interview began with the following statement: "Please give me as full and complete a description of your soulmate experience as you can. What I would like from you at this moment is a description of the experience, not an explanation or discussion. Give me concrete examples, I would like you to tell me about it so I can be there with you from the inside, what it means to you." The only questions asked were clarifying questions. The researcher was at pains to bracket her presuppositions, expectations and personal experience of a soulmate relationship. Five participants, aged 47-82, were interviewed. Three of the participants were married, one was widowed, and one lived without her soulmate. Each participant believed that she or he had experienced or was presently experiencing a soulmate relationship. The interviews took from 60 to 90 minutes. The transcripts of the interviews were subjected to three more levels of phenomenological analysis. Each participant received a copy of the transcription and analysis of his or her interview and a follow-up telephone interview. No substantive changes were required, thus validating the accuracy of the phenomenological reduction. A further analysis of all the level 4 materials produced the fundamental description of the soulmate experience. On this level, sixteen common elements of the soulmate experience were disclosed. They were: (1) ease of adjustment; (2) effortless communication; (3) common interests; (4) trust; (5) mutual growth; (6) physical compatibility; (7) the mystical/numinous component; (8) oneness/indivisibility; (9) soul maturation; (10) pre-determination/instant recognition; (11) synchronicity; (12) reincarnation; (13) paranormal communication; (14) the all encompassing nature of the relationship; (15) complete self-enclosedness; and (16) use of metaphors. The final level of analysis demonstrated that the soulmate experience has four essential structures: (1) predetermination, (2) mystical identification, (3) paranormal communication and (4) complete self-enclosedness.