In the natural order of the Universe, everything has a dual nature, positive and negative, masculine and feminine. From the heart of the atom, proton and electron to the most advanced beings, all that exists is formed of opposite charges in perfectly harmonious balance. From this perfect union arose light and life. Twin souls or soul mates, united in love—like the atom, like God—are hermaphroditic in essence because their combined entity encompasses both the male and the female. Therefore, in their natural state, two souls—positive and negative energies, male and female in the physical worlds—exist as one essence. But when this dual-energy vortex that is the soul manifests in the physical world, it is temporarily divided into two halves so that it may experience each individual trait and recognise the importance of union. It often happens that the female aspect of the soul is incarnated into a male physical body—and vice versa—which creates pain and confusion for the soul that knows its true gender. Only after a series of incarnations, during which each half of the soul immerses itself in the material world, transcends it and purifies itself, can the two halves meet again and reunite for eternity.