How do we relate to one another?

In a previous post, I commented on aspects of knowing thyself in the dynamics of relationships. There is no me, without the other. There is no light without darkness. There is no comprehension of who I perceive to be without what I learn from others, experience through the environment, or learn from events. This me, who I come to know through such interactions, is not to be confused with who I Am. There is the subject I Am, and the objects of who I think I am. The objects are also images of who I think I am, and who I think you are.

In this context, I invite you to inquire about how you relate to others.

If you choose a person you perceive to be in a close relationship with, like a partner, a child, a parent, a sibling, and see what comes up as you first think about this person. Is there an image that comes up? Is there an emotion that comes with this image? Is there some distance between you and that person (not geographical distance but perhaps mental or emotional)?

If you recall your last interaction, or conversation, or maybe you can try this in your next interaction, how do you relate to this person?

Who is speaking? And who is listening?

If he/ she is speaking, are they the speaker while you are the listener?

If you are speaking, are they the listener?

Is there a center from where you have a sense of yourself listening, or speaking?

Or, is there just speaking and listening?

Often we brush away the interactions we have with one another. In a way, the interaction is image to image. My image of myself with the image I created about you. Therefore, our interactions remain at the surface, and we do not feel the connection we have as OneSelf.

The relationships this way get dull, automatic, old. It might as well be a computer to a computer rather than human to human!

The separation is an illusion and we mistake it for reality. However, we do feel the longing for connection with others, or we get anxious when we feel the separation from all there is. This feeling is a calling to being, being here, being home, being home here, being here home!

It is the discovery of what is ALLWays fresh and alive!