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To explore relationship models that are counter-productive, one need go no further than what is presented by the media, film, and literature of modern society, as it descends now through the last phase of its materialist mode.
In answer to this dysfunctional arena, and to feed into an alternative stream, this article delves into some of the more whole-some relational and metaphysical dynamics of partnering, by apprehending what takes place beneath appearances.
Entering into relationship
A karmic bond is often the initial drawing force between partners. In a karmic relationship the underlying magnetism can be powerful, as a deeper wisdom works with the alchemic process of karmic balance. Despite suffering entailed (often a semi-sweet tableau), a rich harvest awaits.
Once the mainstay of learning has been processed, by one, or both, of the partners, the drawing force can abate.
Many long to transcend the karmic level, and move into the grace of a soul-mate communion. Either way, karma or grace - the shadow, or pain body, is activated to ensure spiritual growth.
Bringing consciousness into the arena of shadow is a central raison detre for relationship. No matter who you hook up with, whether the relationship is about karma, grace, destiny, or ones soul-mate - call it just plain lucking out - shadow will be along for the dance.
Especially for pre-midlife adults, unborn children also create a powerful attracting force between partners. These souls striving to be born select their would-be parents and influence them to get together. The force these spiritual babies exert accounts for much of the principle energy moving within a couples attraction and sexual intensity. The force of attraction can decrease to the extent the spiritual-plane activity of the children abates. For example, by age 7, children have incarnated their own etheric body, by 14, their own astral body. Each phase reduces parental cohesion orchestrated on the spiritual plane, as the child moves deeper into incarnation.
By midlife, a more soulful aspect of a (functional) individuals biography often plays a bigger part in the bonding force.
A key aspect for transcending the child factor, as well as enhancing the union in general, entails co-forming a foundation before engaging on a sexual level. The typical model of relationship that Hollywood has been serving up to ticket-paying masses tends to deliver lovers to the same unviable arena of relating that its own celebrities find themselves so often engaged in.
About 95% of love stories that modern film portray entail new partners advancing to sexuality at lightning speed - if not on the first day, then at least in the first week. On film you can do anything. In reality, this factor invites an early dissolution - or, at very least makes for a precarious basis for unity and rapport.
Imagine re-writing these barren scripts, so that a couple spends considerable time in the initial courtship phase, exploring all manner of experience - sharing interests, getting to know each others diverse facets, cultivating a soul-deep affinity. In effect, developing a solid foundation upon which to sustain the relationship.
Imagine, also, the dimension nurtured in a prolonged courtship, and the compelling body of experience that gets passed by when a couple depreciates their relationship. Driven by whims of unconscious craving, the intense fire of sexuality takes on a force of its own, so that theses potential aspects of intimacy get short-circuited.
A foundational phase also lends room for resolving obstacles, including left over issues from past relationships, in preparation for the new communion. Partners can become active during the courtship phase at clearing themselves, as well as helping each others process (most of which is about being supportive, since every individual ultimately has to accomplish such clearing by virtue of their own intention - it cant be done for someone).
Love at first sight can be a very real phenomena - but, then, it is only first sightthis life. . . which brings to mind that statement people so often throw around carelessly, You only live once. I always add on - . . .yes, but its forever. . . .
Engaging, once in relationship
As a noted spiritual counselor once said, The purpose of relationship is not to make one happy, but more conscious.
Relationship in action tends to address the existential question, where am I? Finding orientation within the souls terrain is a natural by-product of relating.
We know its working when a relationship induces the partners to fulfill their destinies, to optimize their potential.
Forgiveness at every turn opens doors of deeper awareness. The word itself, for-give - suggests that one give before having full comprehension of a situation, an act that serves as a catalyst to remove barriers to understanding.
At the same time, a true act of forgiveness does not entail condoning a dysfunction.
When I consider what a relationship would look like when it has evolved beyond the karmic level, to a level of grace, I come to a perspective that views partners as revolving spheres that interact - an image that honors the multi-facetted nature of a human being, in which dynamics that might otherwise be shunned can find a place at the banquet of relation, and so come to wholeness.
On the face of the sphere are arrayed all possible conceptions and roles of an individual. As the sphere turns, the individual moves from vulnerable, to invulnerable, parental, to child-like. Aspect by aspect, moving through feminine, masculine, or balanced states. One phase as a lover, the next as a poet, servant, guru, healer, patient, humorist, teacher, student, visionary, seeker. . . an endless cast of roles. Meanwhile, the partners sphere is also revolving, engaging an unlimited array of inter-weavings.
In a whole-seeking relationship this modality can work, as long as the partners are cognizant of the ever-revolving sphere. Problems can arise, if a partner gets stuck in one dynamic for a lengthy duration. But with a reasonable degree of functionality, the dance of partnering can assume all manner of dimension and proportion.
This would be love acting in freedom. Practicing faith in ones partner, and in oneself
Exiting Relationship
Partners come and go like the stars in the heavens. Forces move us that cannot be fully discerned through logical analysis. We can strive to discover the reasons for coming together, or parting, in rational terms - and its even a good exercise in mindfulness to do so - but it will never fully answer the deeper dynamic at work by spirit in the substrate of the soul.
One of the evolutionary trends of humanity - that of the individuating force at work in every human - accounts for much of the spike in rates of separation and divorce during this time. This force has a great upside, as every human, in effect, is drawing closer to their godhood - but can at the same time wreak havoc, or at very least create extra challenge, on the cohesion of a couple.
And what an intriguing challenge to rise to, as those who succeed manage to orchestrate creative ways of honoring both their own, and their partners individuation needs.
Being out of relationship for a long span of time still requires active spiritual processing. The absence of a partner doesnt mean opportunity to process ceases.
On one level, we never really leave relationship, because we are always connected with those we have integrated into ourselves on a soulful level. Exchange continues, in an abiding way.
In a very experiential way, however, parting does take place, and entails a significant etheric process. Partners who have bonded significantly merge their energy fields into a communal etheric weaving. When they part, the shared fabric is torn, leaving a gap in the etheric substrate of the individuals. This gap accounts for an aspect that endures after a breakup, an arena of pain that carries a force unto itself that is elusive to heal. In the case of a fully bonded relationship, it usually takes about three years for an individuals etheric constitution to come to a fully healed state.
If an individual waits until the etheric rent is healed, a new relationship can be entered with less strife or complication. Waiting promotes a cleaner and clearer entrance for relationship.
It is also possible for new partners to help each other heal these residual imbalances. However, the optimal time for this process is during the initial friendship phase - another reason to prolong the duration of courtship.
As always, there are no iron rules around relationship. The directing voice of spirit within every individual ideally takes precedence.
In my own biography I have observed an interesting pattern, in that, after our relationship, my partners invariably have gone on to a functional marriage-level in the next relationship they entered. This consequence, I feel, is associated with my commitment to facilitating issues that arise in the cauldron of relating, thereby clearing the way for my partner to move on to a destiny-level relationship.
I used to wonder when my turn for a similar outcome would manifest, until I realized that my own personal path was being optimized by spending time alone. The trees of the heart have their sleeping season, when wintering-over of root-forces takes place. Now I feel honored to have been of service to my partners, and am able to accept that all is unfolding according to its season.
Josef Graf