The decisive question for man is:
Is he related to something infinite or not?
That is the telling question of his life.
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In the final analysis, we count for something only because of the essential we embody, and if we do not embody that, life is wasted.
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In our relationships to other men, too, the crucial question is whether an element of boundlessness is expressed in the relationship.
—Carl Gustav Jung on Jung in “Memories, Dreams, Reflections” by Carl Jung
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I recently heard a podcast, Relationship Revelation, given by Deborah and Lyle Dukes on Chocolate Pages hosted by Pam Perry.
During the interview Deborah Dukes addressed the importance of relationships and how our interactions reveal not only who we are at the core and the essence of our personality, but also how we interact with God.
“You will [discover] what is inside you… [whether] you [have the capacity to] love… when relating to others. …Your relationships with others mirror your relationship with God. The way we treat other people is an indicator, is a guide, [to the nature of] our relationship how with God. [God said,] ‘It is not good for [an individual] to be alone.'”
We need others.
Man cannot live on bread alone. Nor can woman.
Much of what Deborah and Lyle discuss forms the cornerstone of Deborah’s assertions in her book, The Revelation of Your Relationships, and The What Works the Best Principle, that Deborah co-authored with, her husband, Lyle Dukes.
“Relationships make the world go around.” (Pam Perry)
“The key to happiness is the ability to have a perspective of our [your] relationships…[with] the people that are around you [us].” (Lyle Dukes)
The center of who we are, our identity, resides in that which we hold sacred.
Managing the various levels of relating to others–family, co-workers, ourselves and God–forms the central task of what it means to walk the human terrain with sentient beings.
And yet we, I, you, form the common denominator connecting the intricate web of our interactions.
“Truth is …let me deal with myself–my flaws, my stubbornness, if I’m jealous…” (Lyle Dukes)
Surrender.
“It’s nice to be nice.” (Lyle Dukes)
Ideally, that which we hold most important and hold greatest gratitude resides within us.
From a spiritual perspective, this center is that mirror of Mirrors reflecting the stamp of Divine Presence that sits at the core of our being.
Jung entitled this as the Imago Dei.
God manifests Her, or His Presence, their omnipresence through and by way of the vessels of our bodies and our living.
“Relationships [relating to others] are what we must do to [move] along in society. Relating in the ship [on the sea of life] …This is what we do.” (Lyle Dukes)
The many ways we express our passions, our creativity and imagination of humankind are but pathways that the Divine both interfaces and asserts the ubiquitous nature and omnipotence of God.
How we see ourselves, whether and our ability to see ourselves, and to the still point upon which we move and interact with others in the world reveals the valleys of growth and evolution we must address and eventually walk to discover and realize our purpose on Earth in this is particular lifetime.
At the most basic truth of life, and survival, God lives and thrives not outside ourselves, but at that most holy of places, the temple within the temple of our bodies and psyche.
God lives in our soul. And our soul is that unique drop of water upon the ocean of Oceans to which we all contribute and are desperately needed.
“It is better to live one’s dharma poorly than the dharma of another very well.” (Arjuna in The Bhagavad Gita)
We have all incarnated for a purpose and reason.
Life is but the journey of discovering and uncovering our intention in this life.
Traveling through the various valleys in the shadow of Death brings us to house of the Divine, where stands a table holding a cup overflowing with oil and goodness.
Sitting and eating at this table, we greet and befriend our Beloved of our soul.
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When your chest if free of your limiting ego,
Then you will see the ageless Beloved.
You cannot see yourself without a mirror;
Look at the Beloved, He is the brightest mirror.
–“The Thief of Sleep” by Shahram Shiva
ENFORUM WEB DIRECTORY
Your columns always inspiring thought within me. I thank God for walking me through the fire, not pulling me out, but being my protector and provider while I go amidst the flames.
DeBorah Ann Palmer´s last blog post ..Broken Angel
The fire of which you speak is what transforms us from iron ore, that rusts over time, and into gold.
Thanks so much for your words of wisdom.
Peace and blessings.