Did Your Soul Choose Your Life Challenges?
“Oh, why do I have such terrible karma?” or “Why does the universe keep throwing me curveballs?” or “Is God punishing me?” These are questions that clients often ask me when they face struggles in life.
Spirit has repeatedly shown me in many readings over the years that we all have a kind of “architect’s plan” that we design before we incarnate into this life. This soul plan for our life journey lays out the lessons we’re going to learn and the experiences we’re going to have.
This spiritual principle is known by various names (depending on the context or belief system), including our spiritual blueprint, life design, divine plan, life script, soul contract, predestined path, and so on.
I prefer “architect’s plan” because it reminds me of the careful, meticulous planning an architect does when designing a new structure, long before the practical, hands-on construction takes place on site.
Like architects, we calmly and clearly create a plan for our life journey before we incarnate. It is only when we are here in the physical world to embody our plan that we fully experience the intensity and the many dangers and pitfalls that are part of our chosen journey, including all the fear, love, pain, hardship, joy, suffering, and everything in between.
Yes, it is hard to believe that we actually choose to face challenges and difficulties in our lives. But various spiritual traditions and esoteric philosophies tell us that our soul’s path is predestined or planned before we’re born, or at least that we have certain free will choices and options along the way.
What makes it even less understandable is that some people choose very difficult paths that involve intense emotional, mental, or physical challenges. These situations may feel unbearable at times, but they are part of the lessons we are here to learn and the material challenges we choose to experience as spiritual beings in human form.
From the viewpoint of the soul, no event or course of action is “bad.” All is simply experience, and every experience teaches and offers seeds of growth ~ Robert Schwartz
As we go through life, we many wonder when the hardships will ever end. It can feel like an endless struggle or uphill climb, especially when we look at others and think they’ve got their lives together on every level. But more often than not, this perception isn’t accurate. Most people hide their struggles, pain, and anxiety behind a carefully crafted veneer that makes it seem like everything is perfect. Social media has added to this myth with perpetual “highlight reels.”
When I discuss this concept with friends or clients, I often hear responses like, “There’s no way I would have signed up for this kind of torture!” And yet, the truth is that we can’t fully understand anything and gain true wisdom from it until we’ve actually lived through it. We can’t fully grasp the depth and value of a lesson until we’ve felt the pain, the joy, or the triumph that it brings. It’s through these intense experiences that we grow and evolve spiritually.
The concept of an “architect’s plan,” or a pre-designed soul blueprint for one’s life, is found in various esoteric and spiritual teachings, each of which presents it through a unique cultural, philosophical, and metaphysical lens. Below are examples from various traditions and schools of thought that align with this idea:
Shamanism and Soul Contract
Many indigenous cultures believe in a preordained purpose or mission for each person. In shamanic traditions, it’s common to consult ancestors or spirit guides to discover one’s “soul contract” or life purpose. The Lakota, for example, believe in wolakota, which means peace, balance, and coming together, and is seen as a path of harmony and fulfillment laid out by Wakan Tanka, the Creator or Great Spirit.
Hinduism and Karma
Hindu philosophy teaches the concept of karma and how the events and circumstances of one’s life are influenced by past actions, both in this life and in previous incarnations. Karma has been simplified in modern culture as “what goes around comes around,” implying immediate moral consequences. In traditional Hinduism, however, karma is a profound spiritual concept tied to the soul’s journey across lifetimes, guiding its growth and evolution.
The Bhagavad Gita also emphasizes the idea that our life path, or dharma, is part of our spiritual evolution. The combination of karma and dharma is consistent with the idea of a soul plan in which we are all born into circumstances that offer opportunities to pay off karmic debts and learn lessons.
Buddhism and Samsara
Buddhism teaches about samsara, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Each life offers opportunities for growth, with the ultimate goal of nirvana (liberation). The notion of intentional rebirth corresponds to the concept of a soul plan or life script. Bodhisattvas, for example, are said to consciously choose their rebirths to help others while fulfilling their spiritual purpose.
Kabbalah and Soul Purpose
In Kabbalistic teachings, the soul descends into the physical world with a divine mission known as tikkun olam (“repairing the world”). Each soul has a unique purpose, shaped by its past lives and the divine blueprint set for it. This life plan is seen as a path to refining the soul and drawing closer to God’s essence, represented in the Tree of Life.
Christianity and Divine Will
Christian teachings emphasize the idea of following God’s plan for one’s life. This is reflected in scriptures such as Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jesus even spoke about his own mission on earth and encouraged others to find their purpose in God’s plan. For example, in Luke 19:10 he says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” The idea that life unfolds according to God’s will is consistent with the concept of a spiritual “blueprint” divinely designed to shape our destiny in this life.
Islam and Divine Destiny
In Islamic teachings, qadr refers to divine predestination. Muslims believe that Allah has written the plan for each individual’s life in the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawh al-Mahfuz). However, Islam also emphasizes free will, suggesting that while there is a divine blueprint, we also have choices within that framework, providing room for spiritual growth and responsibility.
Taoism and the Way
Taoism, or Daoism, emphasizes the concept of the Tao (or Way), which is seen as the fundamental principle underlying and governing the natural order of the universe. The Tao is characterized by simplicity, spontaneity, and harmony. Taoist teachings focus on living in harmony with the Tao. This involves aligning one’s actions and thoughts with the natural flow of life and the universe. While Taoism doesn’t explicitly emphasize pre-birth planning or a predetermined soul purpose, it does suggest that individuals can achieve a sense of harmony and fulfillment by intuitively navigating their lives in alignment with the Tao.
Theosophy and the Akashic Records
Theosophy, a spiritual movement that blends Eastern and Western philosophies, teaches that each soul’s life plan is recorded in the Akashic Records – a metaphysical “database” that contains each soul’s recorded history and master plan for the future. Accessing these records reveals the blueprint of one’s life, detailing lessons to be learned and karmic patterns.
Anthroposophy and Reincarnation
Anthroposophy builds on theosophical ideas by suggesting that human life is part of a grand evolutionary process. It explores the relationship between the individual and the spiritual world, emphasizing the importance of free will and spiritual development. Each incarnation is chosen with specific spiritual goals and guided by spirit beings. The soul’s plan reflects both past experiences and future aspirations, fostering continuous soul development.
Gnosticism and the Divine Spark
Gnostic traditions view life as an opportunity for the soul (the divine spark) to awaken and return to its true source. The material world is seen as a place of learning and struggle, part of a larger cosmic plan for spiritual evolution. This teaching is consistent with the notion of a predetermined path designed to lead the soul to enlightenment.
I further believe that this lifetime is also not our only opportunity for soul growth. Most of us have lived many lives and learned countless lessons. Between physical incarnations, we return to the spirit realm where we continue our development and learning in a plane of existence or non-physical state known as the School of Knowledge or Hall of Knowledge (Anthroposophy), Devachan (Theosophy), Pleroma (Gnosticism), Purgatory (Roman Catholicism), Bardo (Tibetan Buddhism), and so on.
Across spiritual traditions, the concept of a soul’s “blueprint” or “architect’s plan” illustrates a common belief: life on earth is not random or meaningless, but purposeful and of divine design. Whether framed as karma, destiny, soul contract, or divine will, these teachings emphasize that challenges and joys are part of a larger design for spiritual growth and self-realization.
Trust that your soul has a plan, and even if you can’t see it completely, know that everything will unfold as it is meant to ~ Deepak Chopra
Exploring Your Soul Plan
Our soul plan remains largely veiled during our earthly journey, as its full revelation would hinder the essence of our experience. However, there are ways to access glimpses of this plan to optimize the lessons we learn and maximize our growth, helping us to fully immerse ourselves in our life’s purpose and journey.
Different practices offer unique perspectives on your soul’s blueprint, empowering you to make conscious choices and embrace your path with greater clarity and awareness. Here are some recommended ways to gain insight into your soul plan:
AKASHIC CHANNELING
The Akashic Records are a non-physical compendium of all the experiences, thoughts, emotions and intentions your soul has ever encountered. These records are encoded in the etheric plane and contain the entire history of humanity and the cosmos, including the evolution of your soul. A skilled channeler can guide you through the Akashic Records and provide insights into your soul’s intentions, past experiences, and how they shape your present challenges and future direction.
DREAMWORK
Dreamwork is the interpretation of dreams to uncover unconscious patterns and messages. By paying attention to recurring symbols, emotions, and scenarios in dreams, you can gain valuable insight into your soul’s desires, unresolved issues, and lessons. Tools such as dream journaling and guided dream meditation can help facilitate this process.
ASTRAL PROJECTION
Astral projection is an out-of-body experience in which your soul travels to different dimensions or realms. During these journeys, you access higher levels of consciousness, communicate with spirit guides, and explore your soul’s purpose and past lives. Practicing astral projection can offer profound insights into your soul’s plan and help you connect more deeply with your higher self.
PSYCHIC READING
Working with a gifted psychic or medium can provide deep insights into your soul’s path by connecting with higher realms and spiritual guides. A skilled reader can help you understand the patterns and events that either support or hinder your soul’s journey. They can identify limiting beliefs, address unresolved issues, offer reassurance, and provide guidance on your soul’s purpose, relationships, and next steps.
SOUL PLAN ANALYSIS
A Soul Plan analysis uses the numerological patterns and sound vibrations of your birth name to uncover the deeper meanings behind your life’s challenges, talents, and goals. This reading method is rooted in the ancient Sefer Yetzirah, a mystical text that explores the creation of reality through sound, letters, and words. Modern channeled material by Dr. Frank Alper and Blue Marsden has expanded this system to provide new insights.
DIVINATION
Divination tools such as tarot cards, oracle cards, runes, pendulums, and the I Ching provide guidance from a higher source and the subconscious mind. By setting clear intentions and asking relevant questions about your soul’s path, you can interpret the messages these tools offer, revealing insights to align with your true destiny.
DEEP MEDITATION
Regular meditation practice, especially guided meditation or mindfulness, can help you connect with your inner self and higher consciousness. In deep meditative states, intuitive insights often surface, offering clarity about your soul’s mission and leading you to a deeper understanding of your purpose.
HYPNOTHERAPY
Regression hypnotherapy, especially past life regression, allows you to access memories of past lives or your soul’s pre-incarnation intentions. These sessions can uncover unresolved patterns and provide guidance for your current life path, helping you to align with your soul’s purpose.
AUTOMATIC WRITING
Automatic writing is a process in which you enter a relaxed, meditative state and allow spirit guides, ancestors, or angels to communicate with you through writing. Reviewing the messages you receive during automatic writing can reveal patterns, insights, and guidance about your soul plan, providing clarity and wisdom about your life’s journey.
ASTROLOGY
Consulting a skilled astrologer can provide valuable insight into your soul’s mission through the study of your astrological birth chart. The positions of the planets and celestial bodies at the time of your birth offer clues to your strengths, challenges, and overall life purpose, helping you to understand the cosmic blueprint for your journey.
JOURNALING
Journaling is a powerful tool for connecting with your inner wisdom. Regular reflection on your life’s patterns, challenges and synchronicities can bring clarity to your soul’s lessons and karmic experiences. Over time, journaling reveals recurring themes connected to your soul’s plan, helping you gain greater awareness and direction.
By exploring these practices, you can deepen your understanding of your soul’s plan, optimize your personal growth, and navigate life with greater purpose and awareness.
Always remember, no matter how difficult your path may seem at times, you are on a journey uniquely designed for the enlightenment of your soul. Every challenge holds a lesson, and every joy is a reminder of the beauty of the process.
Trust in the divine wisdom of your soul’s plan, for even in moments of extreme failure or hardship, you are exactly where you are meant to be — growing, learning, and becoming the fullest expression of your true soul self.
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