Love between close friends and romantic partners evolves in a
circle. It's a bit like a dance, the two people over time becoming more
bonded and more open with one another. This was always the case, yet in
these times of uncertainty and shifting paradigms, the dance can be both
more satisfying and more challenging. Continue reading for a big
picture view of how this applies in your life.
Background
A key gift of all relationships is the helpful mirror they provide.
After all, seeing oneself fully and clearly is problematic. That's why
we have each other!
We all have an ego, plus substantial conditioning from either this
lifetime or ancestors, that clouds our vision. It's like we have a voice
inside our head that continually asks: "Can I trust? Am I loved? Does
this person really get me? Am I accepted for how I am? Does X that
happened between us compromise our relationship? Does my being open
about X make me look less than in his or her eyes?"
The Element of Space
Knowing that this ego-based dynamic is part of the norm is helpful.
Reminding oneself that this is common can bring space into any
relationship. The element of space is perhaps the most underrated and
underdeveloped quality in most relationships.
The Circle - Loss & Heart Opening
The circle of love typically encompasses both a sense of loss and
heart opening. It's an intrinsic part of the relationship "becoming"
something else - something deeper. It's the deep part that's the most
scary, for it means one must dive deeply into oneself to address what
shows up in the relationship mirror. One must do this, even if the other
person isn't doing that, or is doing that on a more minimal level - a
common occurrence.
A relationship involves two separate souls - coming together for a
certain amount of time for particular purposes. It's a divine
orchestration. Each person has his or her own unique soul path. This
means that each person is responsible for their own part in the dance -
allowing the other person space and time to address issues in their own
way.
Note: relationships can be between people - also with pets - the same applies.
Love and Loss
To know love is to know loss:
- When you love a person, you are loving someone who will eventually pass from this world.
- When you love a new person, past relationship hurts can remind you of pain and loss.
- When you love a person and you quarrel, it can feel like a loss as you discover how to communicate in a heart-centered way and dissolve the quarrel.
- When you enter a new romantic relationship to become a couple, the single "you" transforms into a new type of "you" who is partnering with someone else; this can feel like loss, especially if you proceed without boundaries and leave your "true self" behind to please someone else; once that happens, unless you become present to it and set boundaries, you can neglect self-care and the inner spiritual nurturing needed for a vibrant and happy life.
Love and Heart Opening
To know love is to have heart opening:
- When you love a person, being around him or her going through their own personal crisis, can be a heart opening for you, catalyzing compassion and empathy that helps both your loved one and you.
- When you love someone and allow yourself to become vulnerable, this can open your heart. The more that you do this, the greater your heart opening can be.
- When you have a quarrel with a loved one, then make up, your heart can break wide open afterwards - feelings and insights coming from a very deep level.
- When you love someone who consciously or unconsciously stops the flow of love and connection, you may feel so wounded that you take it personally; if you respond to this wound by reflecting on a bigger picture and also going within for guidance, your heart may have a mega opening - changing how you look at yourself, the other person, other people, and life itself.
- When you love someone who dies, the experience of the death and the loss of the person's physical presence can catalyze such a significant heart opening that you are in a way reborn.
The circle of love is a universal way that we continually evolve as
human beings. The pain of loss, perceived loss, or projected loss
tempers us. Simultaneously, this pain can open our hearts to look at
ourselves, others, and our life experience as a profound blessing and
doorway to enlightenment. The mirror of relationship has then fulfilled
its purpose.
I look forward to your feedback on this article and knowing how I
can serve you in an expanded way in 2021. Feel free to contact me at my website.
Copyright by Selacia - Writer & Guide for Awakened Souls at Communication for Transformation * All Rights Reserved * Selacia.com
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