What DOES it mean when someone says a person has an "old soul."

[LaraMN]

I'm familiar with the phrase, but I really don't understand where it comes from or what form of spirituality it's associated with. Is it supposed to be literal in meaning? Just curious.

[Karenca]

1. It's a compliment.

You're much wiser han your years.

[LaraMN]

6. That's what I thought.

I heard it used in a context which implied some sort of spiritual component that I don't usually relate to the phrase, so I was confused.

[sniffa]

10. i think aLso

it impLies that you've suffered/survived adverse circumstance.

[Karenca]

12. Yes, and that too.

hi, sniffa - :hi:

[sniffa]

13. hi karen

:hi:

[LostinVA]

18. Yup, that too

[Redstone]

2. Never heard of it. Maybe it means they seem to have experience / wisdom beyond their age?

Redstone

[LynzM]

5. That's what I've generally heard it used to mean.

Maturity, wisdom, grace, poise. Although those last couple intellectually or emotionally as opposed to physically :)

[Redstone]

9. Grace. That's a FAR undervalued characteristic these days, yes?

Redstone

[fizzgig]

3. it can be literal or figurative

as others have posted, you are wise beyond your years.

it can also mean that you have been through several reincarnations and have learned many lessons and advanced with each life

[Lautremont]

4. It means they could stand to improve their personal hygene and grooming,

much as "he/she is interesting/funny/smart" does.

[peekaloo]

11. I think you're referring to "old sole".

:rofl:

[bridgit]

7. a cyclical form i would think, Mozart for instance, was thought to be an old soul...

a cyclical form of spirituality i should mention that alludes to reincarnation, etc

i think children should be allowed to be children, but we still see some kids that seem all business; i suppose some of them graduate from college with a hand full of higher degrees at like 13 and so on,

old souls...eh, maybe they just came back to finish what they started previously or didn't have time to complete :thumbsup:

[salin]

8. Wisdom that is presumed to be learned in "earlier lives."

a zen sort of belief.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

15. Zen and reincarnation?

What is the sound of one hand scratching one's head?

:wtf:

[Bunny]

17. Yes, that is my understanding of the phrase, too.

[zanne]

14. I thought it was about # of past lives....

I thought it was about reincarnation and how many you've had. That is, if a person has an "old soul", they've been around the block a few hundred times.

[Saphire]

16. My daughter has an "old soul", she's always been calm, quiet,

graceful, like she's seen it all before, and takes life in stride. My son is a "new soul", everything in life is new and exciting for him.

[Deep13]

19. He needs new shoes.

:evilgrin:

[NMDemDist2]

20. means the person has been around the wheel of life many times

it's mostly used in the Hindu traditions or those who believe in reincarnation

[NewWaveChick1981]

21. I've been told that before. The context the other person used was

very, very positive. :) She meant I was grounded, calm, easygoing, and very worldly.