It’s often said that people notice the outside before the inside. Yet, true love transcends appearances, revealing itself in the depth of the heart and the purity of intention. Few stories illustrate this better than that of Karine de Souza and Edmilson Alcântara.
Karine, 28, lives with a rare genetic condition called Xeroderma Pigmentosum, which makes her skin extremely sensitive to sunlight and leaves visible marks. Many might judge her by what they see, but Karine never let her condition define her worth. Her unwavering faith in God gave her confidence, strength, and an inner radiance that could not be dimmed.
It was this inner beauty, this spirit of courage and kindness, that captured the heart of 23-year-old Edmilson. He fell in love with her not because of how she looked, but because of who she was, the warmth, generosity, and faith that radiated from her soul. Their love reminds us that the essence of spiritual connection lies beyond the physical: it lives in character, devotion, and the selfless care we extend to one another.
Karine and Edmilson’s relationship shows us that spiritual love is rooted in respect, acceptance, and the willingness to cherish the soul above all else. It is a love that chooses devotion over desire, selflessness over possession, and connection over convenience. In a world often obsessed with appearances, their story is a powerful reminder that spiritual Love is measured not by what is seen, but by what is felt and nurtured in the heart.
As we explore the meaning, stages, and signs of spiritual love in this article, keep Karine and Edmilson’s story in mind, a real-life testament to how love can rise above the surface and become a force that transforms both hearts and souls.
What is Spiritual Love?
Spiritual love meaning can have 2 explanations but if someone experiences the first in its purest form he will achieve the second.
First Explanation:
Spiritual love in a relationship is a form of connection that transcends physical attraction, emotional dependency, or the desire to possess another person. It is the kind of love that moves you to care deeply for someone while honoring their freedom, choices, and soul journey, even when those choices do not align with your own desires. Rather than seeking love “at any cost,” spiritual love is rooted in respect, selflessness, and inner integrity.
“You cry for their absence, yet your deepest prayer is that they remain happy, even if that happiness is without you”
In everyday life, spiritual love reveals itself through acts of service, kindness, forgiveness, and presence. It shows up when we support others without seeking validation, when we listen without judgment, and when we offer compassion without conditions. This form of love brings a quiet sense of peace and inner joy, one that remains steady regardless of external circumstances, outcomes, or expectations.
As spiritual teacher Scott Cunningham explains, it
“Emanates from a well that never runs dry,”
reminding us that true love is not depleted by giving.
Second Explanation:
Another explanation of spiritual love is in the words of Rumi. The poet; Rumi beautifully captured this essence when he wrote,
“Love is the bridge between the human and the divine.”
Spiritual love is often seen as that bridge, a force that dissolves separation and reconnects us to something greater than ourselves. Some spiritual teachers refer to this as Absolute Love: the idea that love is woven into the very fabric of the universe. In moments when the ego softens, during deep grief, surrender, or profound stillness, this love can arise spontaneously.
One man once described feeling nothing but pure love at his father’s funeral, as though he had momentarily tapped into a vast current of divine compassion. Such experiences illustrate how spiritual love emerges when personal identity fades and we remember our deeper connection to all life.
Ultimately, spiritual love is less about ownership and more about unity. It is love that liberates rather than binds, nurtures rather than demands, and transforms not only relationships, but the soul itself.
The Spiritual Love Connection:
A spiritual love connection feels like intuitive resonance: you communicate beyond words and empathize deeply. This bond thrives on honesty, vulnerability, and shared growth. Often it feels serendipitous, meeting in a meditation circle or noticing coincidences that reaffirm your bond. Such connections bring a shared sense of something greater (whether you call it the universe, God, or fate) gently nurturing your love.
The 7 Stages of Spiritual Love:
Spiritual love is not a destination reached by all. Many pause at the doorway of desire, and only a few walk beyond the fifth step, especially in mutual love, where attachment still asks for return.
But when love is pure, silent, and sometimes one-sided, it burns the ego gently. It carries the lover toward the sixth stage, Self-Annihilation (Fana), where the self dissolves, and love remains without longing to possess.
What follows is not union, but surrender. Below are the seven stages of spiritual love in a relationship, where the heart sheds itself layer by layer, until only devotion breathes.
1️. Attraction (Kashish)
Attraction is the first quiet pull between two souls, often born through beauty, voice, presence, or unexplained energy. It lives in the eyes and thoughts, creating curiosity and desire, but the heart is still a visitor, not yet a resident.
2. Infatuation (Dil-lagi)
Here, the heart begins to lean gently toward someone. Their absence is noticed, their presence brings warmth. Yet this love is still playful and light, it can retreat without breaking, as attachment has not fully claimed the soul.
3. Devotion (Mohabbat)
Mohabbat is where love grows roots. Care becomes natural, concern becomes sincere, and emotional bonding deepens. The beloved’s happiness begins to matter, and their pain is felt as one’s own, though the self still stands intact.
4. Sacred Union of Desire / Passionate (Ishq)
Ishq is love that forgets calculation. Desire turns sacred, and love becomes intense, devoted, and consuming. Here, one willingly places the beloved’s wishes above personal comfort, without being asked to do so.
5. Holy Longing (Junoon)
Junoon arises when love breaks the boundaries of reason. The heart no longer listens to logic or advice. Separation burns deeply, longing becomes restless, and love begins to ache more than it comforts.
6. Self-Dissolution (Fana)
In Fana, the lover slowly disappears. Ego, pride, and personal demands dissolve into silence. Love no longer asks to be chosen or returned, it simply exists, even if it must remain unseen.
7. Eternal / Spiritual Love (Baqa)
Baqa is love purified of need. Possession no longer matters, and presence is no longer required. Only quiet prayers remain, that the beloved stays at peace, even if that peace does not include you.
Spiritual Love Signs:
How can you tell when spiritual love is present?
- Biggest SIgn: For Signs of Spiritual Love there is no other sign better than this: “You no longer seek to love yourself, for all your love flows toward them.” However you can judge yourself on other signs.
- Unconditional Acceptance: You feel deeply loved even with all your flaws. In spiritual love, “your love doesn’t have any rules or conditions”. You cherish the other’s whole being, recognizing imperfections are part of their uniqueness. There are no grudges or secret expectations, love holds space for honesty and vulnerability.
- Honesty and Trust: Truth and transparency become joyful. A hallmark of spiritual love is total integrity: “trivial lies can’t survive” when you feel this love. You are on the same wavelength of values and can speak openly without fear. This deep trust means you truly believe the other has good intentions; you have faith in each other’s hearts.
- Mutual Growth and Encouragement: Spiritual love inspires you to become better. Instead of trying to control or change each other, you gently point out blind spots and lift one another up. You “push each other to level up” rather than drag each other down. Even challenges in the relationship feel like lessons meant to bring you closer to your true selves. Growth is welcomed rather than resisted.
- Synchronicity and Energy Vibes: You notice meaningful coincidences and shared feelings. Maybe you and the other person have eerily similar dreams, or you both find yourselves drawn to the same insights. It might feel like your “auras mesh” seamlessly when together, giving an immediate feeling of harmony. Often, spending time with this person “charges you up” and expands your awareness – as if you’ve had a spiritual espresso without the jitters.
- Destiny and “Knowing”: There’s a sense that the relationship was meant to be. Sometimes people describe it as an instant recognition: “Oh, there you are,” as if the other was missing from their life. It can feel like you’ve been connected across lifetimes (perhaps invoking the idea of past lives or soulmates). This intuitive “knowing” often comes with a peaceful certainty about the bond.
However, Gentle signs often indicate a spiritual love: an instant sense of comfort and ease, dreams or ideas that sync between partners, and mutual personal growth. You may often guess what the other is feeling or notice coincidences that seem meaningful. These subtle experiences can serve as affirmations of a soul-level bond.
| Sign of Spiritual Love | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Calm familiarity on first meet | You feel at home; a sense of kindred spirits |
| Shared dreams or synchronicity | The universe (or subconscious) is nudging you to connect |
| Growth and healing together | Your bond helps you become better people |
| Feeling whole when together | You find balance and peace in each other’s presence |
These signs often occur together. When you experience them, consider them evidence of a spiritual love connection at work, guiding you both toward a greater purpose.
Spiritual Love vs. Romantic Love
Romantic love often starts with passion and excitement; spiritual love feels calm and deeper. Romantic love highlights chemistry and physical closeness; spiritual love emphasizes shared purpose and unconditional support. Many relationships blend both, but spiritual love adds an extra layer of meaning and stability.
| Aspect | Spiritual Love | Romantic Love |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | Purpose, energy, and values | Attraction, chemistry, and excitement |
| Emphasis | Soul growth and compassion | Passion and pleasure |
| Challenges | Seen as opportunities to learn | Can feel threatening if expectations aren’t met |
| Mindset | “We grow together and feel whole.” | “You complete me.” |
Both kinds of love can be beautiful, but spiritual love anchors the relationship in trust and growth.
Conclusion:
Spiritual love is unconditional agape: It flows freely from the heart and need not be earned. It sees beyond flaws and conditions. It builds soulful connections: True spiritual love often feels divine or destined, binding people across time and space through empathy and shared purpose. Signs include selfless service and honesty: Spiritual love shows up as acts of kindness without agenda and complete trust or transparency in relationships. Pay attention to synchronicities and energy alignment as clues.
Different from romantic love: Unlike romantic love (which is conditional and often sexual), spiritual love is universal and asexual. In romantic love you may seek self-fulfillment; in spiritual love you simply give. Cultivate it daily: Practice serving others, stay truthful, meditate, and give thanks. These everyday habits expand your capacity for spiritual love and help it permeate all your relationships.
