The Ebb and Flow of Relationships

posted in: Blog, channeling, relationships | 6

You will never truly know yourself or the strength of your relationships until both have been tested by adversity. ~ J.K. Rowling

relationships

When I was much younger, I naively thought relationships were always supposed to be only love and light. Did I ever get that wrong!

Spirit

Today we shall discuss a subject of great interest to many of you. And one which creates great challenges for most of you.

There is little question human relationships are a source of deep fulfillment and joy, and yet also of many opportunities for learning. As you all know, those opportunities are often as painful as they are joyful.

Adversity is a part of most relationships. Yet that does not mean you must suffer endlessly. If endless suffering is part of any of  your relationships, it’s probably time to leave them behind you.

So in this first (of several) discussion(s) on this subject, we’d like to talk about the sources of joy, and of pain in relationships. Perhaps you’ll become more keenly aware of the patterns you’ve created in your relationships.

Awareness is certainly the first step to a clearer understanding of your relationships, and your lives. The second and third steps are acceptance and allowance. But we’ll talk about those another day. Today we focus on awareness.

When we speak of relationships, most of you think of romantic partnerships. Those will be our focus today. However, the basic concepts we’re discussing apply to all relationships.

When two people come together in a romantic, sexual union, they often bring much “baggage” with them. By “baggage,” we mean all the ideas and values many of you have been fed since infancy. For example, you are incomplete until you have a partner. And so on.

The truth is you do not need each other to be whole, to be fulfilled in your lives.

And therein lies a significant source of pain in your romantic relationships. You’ve heard it said, probably many times, “Well, I can’t live with him (her), but neither can I live without her (him).

When you come to any relationship, romantic or not, from a place of need, you’re setting yourselves up for pain. Many come into a romance expecting their mates to make them complete, a whole person.

For a time, that actually seems to happen. What is really happening, though, is you are draining each other’s energies. That cannot ever create a solid foundation for a long-term relationship.

Of course, there are other reasons any relationship may not last forever. But this is generally a significant root cause of failed relationships—the draining of each other’s energies.

When you first come into a romantic union, you generally feel an excitement—a warm (perhaps even hot!) glow. You feel a deep sense of oneness with your partner. And there lies another reason romantic (or any) relationships don’t always last.

Anyone in your life to whom you are strongly attracted, and feel connected to, is, and always has been, one with you. Separation is an illusion, albeit a necessary one if you are to operate reasonably well on the planet. But when you believe so strongly in the illusion, you need a way to re-create the oneness you thought you lost. Or, perhaps, you thought you never had to begin with.

And so this need to overcome the illusion of separation often leads to what you may call, in your current culture, “co-dependent” relationships. These are simply relationships based mostly on perceived need. A need, you think, to be with one another so the other can make you whole. You desperately need each other, or so you believe.

Now let’s review this marvelous creation of yours, your romantic fantasy. Here’s this wonderful angelic being who has magically appeared in your life. “Ah,” you say, “now I can feel whole. I have my perfect partner.”

Think about that for a moment. Even if you don’t verbalize these feelings or thoughts to your “perfect mate,” he/she is still keenly aware of them. As you are aware of those same feelings your partner may be having. Do you know what a costly and heavy burden you’re putting on each other?

In effect, you’re saying, “I need you to make me whole, to make me happy. It’s your responsibility to do this for me for the rest of our lives. It’s  your responsibility to make my life work, to make me feel good.”

So, even as you begin the relationship, you are sowing the seeds of its destruction.

What’s the answer? It’s simple—go within, to that divine energy that lives within your hearts. You are individualized expressions of God. If you can feel that—really feel it—feel your love, feel your wisdom, feel your power—then you will know you are whole already.

When you know that fully, in your heart and in your gut, only then can you come to a relationship, romantic or not, and be truly and deeply fulfilled. You come together from a sense of your own wholeness. You are not two halves coming together to make a whole. You’re two wholes coming together to create as nearly a perfect union as you can know on earth.

In your wholeness, you each know you are also one with the other. You will know you are one with all humans, with all that is.

So, in this ideal (and attainable) scenario, you come together romantically not seeking wholeness and oneness. You come together to more fully express the wholeness and oneness you already have. That relationship will bring you more joy, love, and peace than you ever thought possible.

Adapted from John Cali and Spirit Special Reports

Please share your thoughts with us below.

********

Copyright © 2016 by John Cali

If you know someone who could benefit from this post, please forward it to them with a personal note.

**************************************

the book of joy

 

 

 

 

If you would like to receive our free newsletter and a free copy of The Book of Joy: How To Live Every Day of Your Life Happily Ever After, please visit here.

 

 

 

 

**************************************

Here is that wise and wonderful spiritual teacher, Mooji, talking about the challenges and rewards of relationships.

**************************************

What other subjects would you like us to talk about in these posts? Please email me.

 

6 Responses

  1. jean

    Relationships can be joyful, satisfying and very hot. Then again they can grow into a painful situation when either party figures out they need out. Instead of walking away and letting go they instead cling to each other, hurting themselves and their partner doing the same. Many times when they finally go their own ways they begin to hate the one they thought they love. When individuals figure out that their relationship isn’t working any more they should sit down and settle it without turning to hate. It’s no one’s fault it is the human experience. When we think that love is based on someone loving us without loving ourselves we fail ourselves and them. No one, not a saint, not an angel, not a man or women can live up to what our idea of perfect love is. Letting go when we realize the relationship isn’t working actually brings a better understanding of what love is. We are saying I care enough to allow myself and yourself to be free to find what you think you need. I know this is getting long but it is hard to explain. I know the heartache I caused myself and my ex by trying to keep going. The moment I let go and in my mind created a scenario where he would find what he needed to find in another, it happened and we both let go. We are still friends. Am I looking for a perfect relationship or a perfect love, no. I am looking to find our where love is within my heart and soul. When I allow myself to feel that totally I then might allow another with like mind to be a partner as he will allow me to be with him.

    Actually I don’t believe in perfection. I think that idea clouds what we actually are seeing and feeling.

    By the way Ron B, roses are indeed beautiful but if you are careful and gentle being aware of the thorns you won’t bleed. And if you do bleed remember it is merely a loving kiss from a beautiful being, the lovely rose. I love my roses.

    I enjoyed this piece. Sorry about the length.

    Lots of hugs and love John
    Jeannie

    • John Cali

      Thanks very much, Jeannie. I think you hit on one of the keys to successful relationships — loving yourself and allowing others to be who they truly are.

      Love & hugs,
      John

  2. Mikala

    I have a short but true little saying that confirms what you have said here John. The true relationship that is lasting is an “H”.
    Each person stands up straight and strong, and they meet together in the middle. Neither leans on the other for fulfillment of themselves, but they connect out of love to increase the joy in their lives.

    Blessings to all,
    Mikala

    • John Cali

      Beautiful, Mikala! Thank you very much — I’d never heard it expressed in exactly that way. It’s perfect.

  3. Ron B.

    Roses are beautiful but I often come away bleeding after caring for them.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.