Marriage and Partnerships

 MARRIAGE [AND PARTNERSHIPS] …

And then Almitra spoke again and said:

‘And what of marriage, Master?'

And he replied:

‘You were born together, and together you shall be for evermore.

You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.

Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God,

For in spirit all is one and together all once came forth from the heart of God.

But let there be spaces in your togetherness

So that the winds of the Heavens can dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love.

Rather let it be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

You do not need another to make you whole,

For each has the energy of the other dormant within;

It is merely waiting to be taken into possession by each one.

Let the other help you do this, but then let go of each other again.

As each soul has their own pathway to walk, let each do their own thing.

Share what nurtures you -

Fill each other's cup but do not drink from the same cup

Or eat from the same loaf.

Sing and dance together and be joyous,

But let each also sometimes be on their own;

Even as the strings of a lute are alone,

Although they vibrate with the same tune.

Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping;

For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.

And stand together, but not too close,

In the same way as the pillars of a temple stand apart,

And the oak tree and the cypress do not grow in each other's shade.

Each in their own way and time has to learn their lessons,

Their Karma to redeem and their Highest potential to fulfil.

Let each learn to take the lead in some things and to follow in others;

When each contributes in their own special and unique manner,

You add variety and interest to your relationship,

Helping it to last longer and ensuring that both partners

Grow at an even pace, individually and together.

 ‘The Prophet' - Kahlil Gibran