SPIRITUAL PARTNERSHIP (Part One of Three)
by Gary Zukav

For years my model of self-enlightenment was the solitary monk. Using techniques perfected over centuries by seekers like himself, he renounces home and comfort, prays to Buddha, Krishna, Allah, or Christ, chants, and visualizes. The monastery is the place he takes his stand, looses himself in delusions, finds himself, and looses himself again as many times as necessary until at last he becomes an awake expression of the Universe.

In every culture a journey into the self that only the searcher can make is taken in isolation, away from tribe and television. If a monastery can not provide sufficient isolation, a hermitage can. The hermitage is the ultimate goal of the solitary meditator – total encapsulation in a distraction-proof environment until death or enlightenment. There the meditator duels directly with inner demons,   comes   to   terms   with emotional pain, opens to grace, and becomes transformed – all without the interference of people with their insensitivities and agendas.

Multisensory perception has changed this. Hermits sequestered themselves to develop multisensory perception but the entire human species is now acquiring it. Slowly or quickly, dramatically or quietly, the multisensory perception that seekers sought in isolation is emerging in millions of people as they work, raise families, and live their lives. As a result, we are learning for the first time how to use winds and waves that appeared to be uncontrollable to take us to new ports that we could not have imagined. The winds are our emotions and thewaves are our reactions. When you lash out or withdraw in anger, the wind blows and when the consequences arrive, waves crash over you. Using your interactions with others to grow spiritually is learning to sail. Learning to sail is your new job, your soul is your new goal, and the journey to it requires relationships

The other day I snapped at my husband for picking up a magazine to flip through when he sat down to talk to me. Then I realized that this is where I can look at myself and see what caused me to react. This is exactly how emotional awareness and responsible choice can work! I have been looking at my reaction and seeing how I can not be truly present for others when they are talking to me.

Spiritual growth and meaningful relationships develop together. In other words, the journey to your soul requires the courage to create relationships of substance and depth. These are spiritual partnerships – partnerships between equals for the purpose of spiritual growth.

I am beginning to see that my husband is the perfect partner for me. I have been struggling for so long to treat him as an equal, to love him unconditionally, and to trust him. I see the power in being with someone who pushes my buttons to the depth that no one else can on a day to day basis. My pattern has been to try and change him when I’m triggered, or think about finding another partner. I’ve been starting from the outside in…I’ve wanted my life to look a certain way so that I could prove to myself that I’m OK. I’m finally understanding that the change I create in me and with the people closest to me is NOT a small thing…it is the greatest thing I can do with my life right now.

You leap forward on the journey to your soul when you look not to others to change your emotions, but to your emotions to tell you what you need to change in yourself. Spiritual partners do this. They know they are together for a reason, and that reason has to do with their spiritual growth.

Love,

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