Touching Another’s Soul Part 3

August 13, 2026

Do you ever long to touch another person’s soul, yet hesitate because such an act feels too intimate, too spiritual, or perhaps even intrusive? A recent encounter reminded me of the power to touch and be touched on the level of soul…

Touching another’s soul does not require invading their personal space, crossing their boundaries, or asking them to disclose what they are not ready to share. It may require nothing more than becoming deeply present and allowing the Holy Spirit to fill the space between you.

When we become aware of the Spirit’s presence, something in the atmosphere begins to change. The invisible field between two people seems to blend them into Holy Union. Enneagram language refers to this phenomenon as “merging gold”. We stop trying so hard to say the right thing or create a meaningful moment. Instead, we become available to the moment that God may already be creating. We consent to the spiritual blending with another.

The Holy Spirit is the Comforter and the great unifier. The Spirit is continually active in the world—healing, reconciling, awakening, and emanating love. We do not manufacture this sacred power. We simply consent to it. We become its willing conduits. And the Spirit is never far away. The presence of God is as near as our breath and as close as our own skin.

When we silently invite the Holy Spirit into any encounter, the tone may soften, and the conversation may acquire dimensions it did not have before. Defensiveness begins to loosen. Suspicion fades. The impulse to guard ourselves becomes less necessary. In its place comes the quiet joy of realizing that we are not alone with one another. A third presence is among us—the presence of Divine Love.

Something like this happened to me recently. I was in a public place when I unexpectedly saw someone who had once been a regular part of my life. Because of moves, time, and changing circumstances, our paths had separated. Yet I have always carried great affection for this person. Their soul possessed a rare innocence and compassion, and their life had been devoted to expressing those qualities.

Over the years, I had thought of them many times with gratitude and deep regard. I often wondered whether I would ever have the opportunity to see them again. Then, without warning, there they were-

Right in the veterinarian’s waiting room. Our reunion was filled with warmth and delight. Yet beneath my happiness was the awareness that we might never meet this way again. I wanted this dear person to know—not merely through polite words, but at the level of the soul—how much their life had meant to me.

So, without saying anything aloud, I invited the Holy Spirit into the space between us.

A rich and meaningful conversation followed. The Spirit seemed to kindle an energy neither of us had planned. My heart became newly aware of this person’s goodness. I remembered the many times I had been moved by their tenderness, innocence, and compassion. I had hoped to reach their soul, but something unexpected happened: my own soul was touched—deeply and unmistakably.

I have to believe that is one of the sacred mysteries of human connection. We cannot truly touch another person’s soul without making our own soul vulnerable to being touched. The love that passes between two people does not travel in only one direction. It becomes a living current, flowing back and forth through the space the Spirit has opened.

Eventually, we had to return to the separate paths of our daily lives. We said goodbye, but this was no ordinary parting. Our eyes met, and for a moment it seemed that we could see beyond one another’s faces—past our histories, our personalities, and the passing years. Something was spoken without words:

Your soul is dear to me. And something was silently received in return: My soul is dear to you. Nothing dramatic happened. No one else around us would have known that anything sacred had occurred. Yet in that brief meeting, two souls recognized one another—and both were blessed.

We sometimes imagine that touching another’s soul requires eloquence, unusual wisdom, or some extraordinary spiritual gift. More often, it requires only our willingness to be present, to become unguarded, and to invite the Holy Spirit into the ordinary space between us.

The Spirit will do the rest.

Spiritual Practice

When you desire to touch another person’s soul, silently invite the Holy Spirit into the space between you. Under your breath, pray a line from this ancient prayer:

Come, Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of your faithful.

Then release the need to control the encounter. Become present. Listen with your whole being. Look upon the other person with reverence, trusting that the Spirit already knows what each soul needs.

Inquiry

Why do you need to touch others at the level of the soul?

What may have kept you from allowing your own soul to be seen and touched?

Prayer

Dear God, There have been many times when I failed to reach out to others at the level of the soul. I remained distracted, guarded, hurried, or afraid. In doing so, I missed opportunities to share your love, extend forgiveness, offer healing, and receive the sacred gifts others carried within them. For these missed moments, I am truly sorry. Yet in meeting a dear person from years ago, I felt the immense and tender power of your Spirit moving between us. For one sacred moment, the years disappeared, our defenses fell away, and our souls recognized one another. I hoped to touch the soul of another, and through your grace, my own soul was touched in return. For this holy encounter, and for every soul you place along my path, I am forever grateful.

Amen