A twin flame is described as a soul's mirror, another person who reflects one's own soul to them, making the connection incredibly powerful and often turbulent. Unlike a soulmate connection, which tends to feel easy, twin flame relationships often stir up personal challenges and insecurities, since the bond is so intense.

The phrase "runner and chaser" describes a common pattern within this dynamic, where one person pulls away while the other keeps pursuing. It's a popular idea in modern spiritual writing, though it doesn't come from one single tradition, and different sources describe it differently.