麻豆社

I was interested to read a recent 麻豆社 news article about 3 couples in long term relationships who were not sexually intimate. Their reasons were varied, and entirely reasonable. It made me think how often the media is saturated with imagery and articles focused on stimulating our sexual appetite, but this article raised the very real question of how can we connect with our partners more deeply.

Within Hinduism it is commonly known that Yogis, priests and monks practice celibacy as a stepping stone to spiritual enlightenment. The aim is that by controlling your senses you are giving yourselves a greater opportunity to focus on the inner self rather than connecting with the parts of ourselves that the world sees. What鈥檚 less commonly known is that, although the Vedas don鈥檛 discourage physical intimacy, it should not be the seen as the primary way to connect with your spouse. Being able to connect in a way where you view yourselves as partners on a spiritual journey can be just as spiritually fulfilling as being a celibate monk.

Hindu Saint Rupa Goswami speaks about the science of relationships in general and he gives a formula of six loving exchanges. Two out of the six deal with revealing your mind in confidence, and listening respectfully and attentively to the other. Whilst the topic of conversation may vary, the purpose is what he is more instructive about. He guides his followers to have an attitude whereby, whether they are talking about household chores, their fears and desires or even deep devotional topics, the aim is to be of service to the other, to create more love within themselves, between each other and with God. These may seem like very simple tools but, for Goswami, they are a timeless and effective way of bringing life back into our relationships.

If we can make more time to connect with each other through this type of dialogue, I believe we can become less reliant on what often feels like a purely physical need, but is one of the many ways our inner core is crying out for connection. And I think that being in a romantic relationship with someone doesn鈥檛 just have to be about a physical and psychological union, but can also be a catalyst for moral and spiritual growth.

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