Anyone know if this is an old idea, or made up recently?

As no one replied I will say that I think the idea of a soul contract is not really a part of mainstream religion but more of an idea associated with beliefs about mediumship. The term is usually based on esoteric teachings, especially reincarnation and karma and other new age teachings based on Eastern traditions, sometimes blended with Christian beliefs about guardian angels. I think there is some reference to it in Sufism, the esoteric Islamic tradition.

Is this a new idea? — TiredThinker

The legalistic terminology may be relatively new, but the concept of planning now for the future of your soul seems to be inherent in the Hindu/New Age doctrine of Karma. If you buy into the notion of reincarnation, and its associated "Soul Debt", then such an Insurance Policy might make sense to you. :cool:

Soul Contract : https://medium.com/@amandawright_26393/our-life-soul-contract-ed40c75c5d13

I agree that Hinduism does think that there is planning for the soul but I am not sure that the idea of soul debt is exactly the same as a soul contract. The main difference would be that the notion of soul debt was based upon repayment as karma. The soul contract is not this exact because the belief is that the soul actually makes an agreement to pursue specific tasks. I am not sure rather than Hindu idea involves a negotiation but is more a part of direct cause and effect.

However, I cannot read Hindi scripture and have only read some Western interpretations of the Hindu ideas. Perhaps there is someone of Hindu origin who could give a clearer explanation of the Hindu understanding of karma, although it is probably likely that Hindu beliefs vary like other religions systems of thinking.

I agree that Hinduism does think that there is planning for the soul but I am not sure that the idea of soul debt is exactly the same as a soul contract. — Jack Cummins

Yes. That's why I called it "insurance", which is mostly an Anglo-American concept. Ironically, the modern form of commercial insurance may have emerged in British dominated India. You pay for future debts in advance. :smile:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insurance_in_India

I think a soul contract is a list of things we hope to add to our existence in each new incarnation, but of course we don't remember prior lives and therefore must rely on intuition of what we hoped to accomplish. Some say the pull of our contract may adversely affect our lives in some cases.