8 signs someone has a truly beautiful soul, according to psychology

There’s a marked distinction between having a beautiful face and having a truly beautiful soul.

A beautiful soul isn’t about outward appearance. It’s about inner beauty, kindness, empathy – qualities that shine from within.

Psychology has identified certain signs that indicate someone has a beautiful soul. These are traits that are often overlooked in our superficial world, but they’re the ones that really matter.

Here, I’ll share with you 8 signs of a truly beautiful soul. Their simplicity might surprise you, but their impact is profound.

Let’s get started. 

1. Empathy

A key marking of a beautiful soul, according to psychologists, lies in one’s empathy.

Empathy is the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within their frame of reference. It’s about stepping into someone else’s shoes and seeing things from their perspective.

Psychologist Brene Brown described it best when she said: 

“Empathy has no script. There is no right way or wrong way to do it. It’s simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of ‘You’re not alone.'”

When someone shows genuine empathy, they’re demonstrating a deep connection with the emotional state of others. They can feel others’ joy, pain, and everything in between.

A person with a beautiful soul has this trait in spades. They don’t just sympathize; they empathize. They don’t just understand your feelings; they share them..

2. Kindness

Another sign of a beautiful soul is kindness. And no, I’m not talking about grand gestures or impressive acts of charity. I’m talking about everyday kindness – the small acts that show a person’s true character.

Famous theologian, philosopher and physician Albert Schweitzer once said,“Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.”

What a poetic way to express the power of kindness. 

I remember a time when I was in a coffee shop, busy on my laptop. The barista had clearly had a long day, and was struggling to keep up with the orders. A man walked in, ordered his coffee, and noticed the barista’s stress. Instead of getting impatient or annoyed, he simply smiled at her and said, “Take your time. We all have those days.”

That small act of kindness didn’t cost him anything, but it made a big difference to the barista. It lightened her load and brightened her day.

When someone consistently shows kindness in such small ways – to friends, to strangers, to the weary barista at the coffee shop – that’s when you know they have a truly beautiful soul.

3. Humility

In a world where everyone is trying to outdo each other, humility is a breath of fresh air. It’s a sign of a beautiful soul.

Humility means recognizing that we’re no better or worse than others. It means acknowledging our mistakes, learning from them, and constantly striving to be better.

In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I dive deeper into the concept of humility. I talk about how it’s not about belittling yourself or thinking less of yourself. Rather, it’s about seeing your own worth without feeling the need to prove it to anyone else.

A person with a beautiful soul doesn’t seek validation or applause. They do good simply because it’s the right thing to do, not because they want to be seen or praised.

As the renowned psychologist Albert Ellis once said, “The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny.”

And that’s what humility is all about: taking responsibility for our actions and striving to be better, without seeking external validation.

4. Resilience

Resilience is another key indicator of a truly beautiful soul.

According to psychology, resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress. It’s about bouncing back from difficult experiences.

People with beautiful souls have this trait in abundance. They experience setbacks like everyone else – they’re not immune to hardship or failure. But what sets them apart is how they respond to these challenges.

Resilient individuals don’t let adversity define them or derail their efforts. Instead, they use it as a springboard for growth and improvement. They learn from their mistakes, pick themselves up, and keep moving forward.

As psychologist and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl famously said, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

That’s the essence of resilience – it’s not about avoiding hardship, but about developing the strength and flexibility to deal with it effectively.

5. Acceptance of imperfection

Now, this one might seem a bit counter-intuitive. Shouldn’t a beautiful soul strive for perfection?

Well, according to psychology, acceptance of imperfection is actually a sign of emotional health and maturity.

People with beautiful souls understand that nobody – including themselves – is perfect. They embrace their flaws and imperfections. They don’t try to hide them or pretend they don’t exist. Instead, they accept them as part of who they are.

This doesn’t mean they settle for mediocrity or stop striving to be better. Rather, they recognize that growth is a journey, and that mistakes and setbacks are part of this journey.

As the revered psychologist Carl Jung once said, “The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely.”

People with beautiful souls have the courage to do just that. They accept their imperfections, and in doing so, they inspire others to do the same.

6. Genuine happiness for others

Another sign of a beautiful soul is the ability to feel genuine happiness for others’ achievements and blessings.

In a world where envy and comparison are rampant, being genuinely happy for someone else’s success is a rare quality.

People with beautiful souls don’t see life as a competition where someone else’s gain is their loss. They understand that there’s enough room for everyone to succeed and be happy.

They celebrate others’ accomplishments as if they were their own, without any trace of jealousy or resentment. This comes from a place of self-assuredness and contentment within themselves.

As the famous psychologist Abraham Maslow once said, “The good or healthy society would then be defined as one that permitted people’s highest purposes to emerge by satisfying all their basic needs.”

Feeling joy for others’ happiness reflects a person’s ability to look beyond their own needs and recognize the joy and success of others.

7. Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a trait that’s often misunderstood. It’s not about excusing someone’s behavior or forgetting the hurt they’ve caused. It’s about letting go of the anger and resentment that hold us back.

I remember a time when a close friend betrayed my trust. The hurt was deep, and the anger was intense. But holding onto those feelings didn’t punish my friend – it only harmed me.

Choosing to forgive was a process, not a one-time event. It took time and patience, but ultimately, it freed me from the burden of resentment.

People with beautiful souls understand the power of forgiveness. They choose to release the bitterness, not for the person who wronged them, but for their own peace and wellbeing.

According to the Greater Good Magazine at Berkely, “Forgiveness does not mean forgetting, nor does it mean condoning or excusing offenses. Though forgiveness can help repair a damaged relationship, it doesn’t obligate you to reconcile with the person who harmed you, or release them from legal accountability.”

8. Selflessness

The final sign of a beautiful soul is selflessness. This is the ability to put others’ needs before your own, without expecting anything in return.

People with beautiful souls are often the first to lend a hand, the first to volunteer, and the first to support others in times of need. They’re generous with their time, their resources, and their energy. They give not because they have to, but because they want to.

But it’s important to note that selflessness doesn’t mean neglecting oneself. People with beautiful souls understand the importance of self-care. They know that they can’t pour from an empty cup, and so they take care of themselves in order to better take care of others.

Lucille Ball said it best: “Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.”

Final thoughts: The beauty within

We often get consumed by the external – appearances, material possessions, status. But the real beauty, as psychology suggests, lies within us.

Having a beautiful soul is not about being perfect. It’s about empathy, kindness, humility, resilience, acceptance of imperfection, genuine happiness for others, forgiveness, and selflessness.

In my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I delve into these concepts further. I discuss how we can cultivate these qualities in ourselves and attract similar people into our lives.

But let’s remember, it’s not about ticking off a checklist or striving for an ideal. It’s about being true to ourselves and others. It’s about recognizing our own worth and seeing the beauty in those around us.

So as you move forward, reflect on these signs. Do you see them in yourself? In the people around you? And most importantly, how can you nurture these qualities to reveal the true beauty of your soul?

As psychologist Carl Rogers said, “The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.”

Let’s keep learning and evolving to unveil the beautiful souls we are all capable of becoming.