Ah, love! Is there some other subject that evokes songs, poems, books and different artistic works greater than love? Such a “rabbit gap” of a subject, identical to in Alice in Wonderland, particularly when involving spirituality.

When one asks the query, “What’s God?” the reply can rightly be given as, “God is LOVE.” It’s mentioned additionally that God is infinite, in each atom of creation, and that universe itself is made out of Love.  Nicely, no marvel there are such a lot of songs written about it!

One thing tells me, nevertheless, that you’re not studying this since you want to enter right into a philosophical discourse on the character of the universe. Maybe although, you want to a dialogue that is a little more sensible. Nicely, good — as a result of as huge as the subject of affection and relationships is, there is a really sensible aspect to them. It might certainly be enjoyable to fantasize about discovering your one real love whereas launched into a magical quest to slay dragons, however there are pragmatic steps that one can take to manifest a non secular accomplice and relationship in the actual world.

Once I got here onto the non secular path I used to be a single man in my 20s. I had already been open to discovering a great life accomplice however solely had just a few onerous classes and failed relationships to point out for my efforts. I knew, nevertheless, that my quest for Self-realization was extra vital than anything and that solely a accomplice who shared my non secular aspirations may fulfill this need. I started this quest in earnest by asking for some recommendation.

Discovering the One

Recommendation on discovering a mate can usually contain the what-to-look-for selection, however the steerage I obtained has helped me to today, even in different areas of my life. Once I requested my non secular mentor what to do, she requested, “What do you think about will probably be totally different in your life when this need is fulfilled?” This query gave me pause. I actually needed to suppose onerous about it. I imply… I might reside “fortunately ever after,” proper? Discovering the precise accomplice was one thing I had wished for therefore lengthy however I spotted I had by no means thought to query the longing in that manner.

I started to see the aim behind that query. I couldn’t have or ask for a distinct form of life if I used to be not prepared to take motion and make some modifications NOW.  One other query got here logically to me: “So what may you be doing NOW to manifest these issues in your life that you’re asking for?”  I used to be asking for somebody to like – a non secular accomplice. I might have somebody to like in my life however I wanted to do some issues in another way to carry that about. I shortly realized that there are many folks to provide like to NOW.  In fact, it wouldn’t be precisely the identical because the romantic love I sought, however on an impersonal degree, I might be training channeling God’s love for His youngsters. Isn’t that the best expression of affection anyway?

I wished a accomplice who was excellent for me in a number of methods and I understood that I wanted to broaden and rework myself into a great accomplice for her as properly. I set about making a life for myself that would come with, and make room for, the entire advantages I may think about having as soon as I discovered my ultimate accomplice. Once I felt prepared, I trusted that the Divine Mom would introduce me to her.

I did actually, meet my accomplice just a few years later. I may see then how each “failed” try to search out her was truly an vital step and lesson that made me a greater man and higher accomplice for her. Once I checked out among the different difficult areas of my life, I used to be additionally in a position to see the identical steps and patterns.

Magnetism Issues

I shortly realized that there was one other, deeper reality behind that follow-up query, a profound precept that I used to be meant to extra absolutely perceive: magnetism. Yogananda mentioned that it’s the magnet of our coronary heart that pulls true soul buddies and we improve our magnetism by the standard and amount of our vitality. I understood that if I used to be to draw a great mate, I needed to improve my magnetism.

However how? Simply as a paper clip could be made right into a magnet by intentional contact with a robust magnet, so can we improve our magnetism by divine contact with God, the supply of all vitality and energy. Deep meditation, chanting, training God’s presence, and different non secular practices all assist us improve our non secular magnetism. The extra we will discover our heart in God, the extra we discover out who we actually are as particular person human beings.

Each atom in creation is inextinguishably dowered with individuality. —Paramhansa Yogananda

Yogananda mentioned that each atom of creation is dowered with individuality. We’re every distinctive, but at our deepest heart, we’re all the identical in our need to like and be liked. Though our deepest wishes for everlasting love can solely be fulfilled via union with the Divine, it’s completely dharmic to discover a mate for shifting towards fulfilling and expressing these divine wishes inside this lifetime.

Now that I knew HOW to discover a companion and felt that I used to be doing every part I may, wanting standing on a busy road nook as a strolling sandwich board: SOUL MATE WANTED, it was only a matter of ready and trusting. That is the a part of the method you not often hear about. As a result of often, it’s boring — and onerous. It’s a bit like having a longing for cucumbers and planting the backyard for them — you’re positive to get cucumbers they usually’re positive to be nice however you continue to need to water the backyard, be affected person, and have religion and belief that Mom Nature will do her job and assist you out, earlier than the outcomes.

My Motion Steps

So, I waited. I trusted that Divine Mom would information me in every part and anything that wanted to occur.

• I saved up my day by day meditation practices.
• I chanted at any time when I may.
• I practiced the presence of God utilizing any method that impressed me.
• I tuned into the standard of affection I wished to really feel for and from my life accomplice.
• I gave that high quality of affection to everybody I may in no matter kind I may.

For this final one — whether or not it was a sort gesture, a pleasant dialog or perhaps a smile whereas passing a stranger on the road, I did all that I may to tune into that vitality of affection at the start. I spotted that this love was not mine. I didn’t create it, I used to be merely performing as a channel for God’s like to share with others round me.

Excellent Imperfection

My efforts weren’t seamless and I did make a little bit of a mistake that I feel is a typical one. I believed that discovering “the one” could be an finish in itself. I believed that this particular particular person could be excellent for me and in some way “full” me. I imply, discovering the proper particular person would, after all, make your entire life fortunately excellent and your whole troubles would fade away right into a sea of romantic bliss! Marriage books had been about how one can handle all of the never-ending happiness that floods your being together with your excellent mate, proper? Nicely, not precisely. That’s a romantic delusion.

In actuality — on the planet of duality, each success attracts its reverse. That “dream job” might include a “nightmare boss,” or that new child you’ve been ready for might imply that you just lose the entire single friendships you’ve loved and cultivated since center college. The listing goes on, however you get the concept, to find your life accomplice, the precept of duality nonetheless applies. Your accomplice might certainly be lovely and great but can even come into your life with their very own quirks and idiosyncrasies. They might certainly be most loving and serene, however from their forgetting a birthday or one thing else vital you may understand simply the other.

How, then, are we to narrate to nature’s duality and this eager for a mate? The nice ones information us to try to be even-minded within the face of loss or acquire – as all on this materials world is fleeting besides God. We will think about, too, that regardless of how lengthy we’re alive, regardless of how lengthy we’re with our accomplice, the day will come once we are again within the astral world reflecting on our lives and all that we’ve discovered right here. What’s it, then, we need to acquire – or suppose we’ll study from the expertise of getting the proper mate on this lifetime?

Love Divine

That reply will probably be totally different for every particular person but when we’re severe, as properly, about our seek for God, then the will for a mate will probably be a subset of our need to know and discover God. It’s completely acceptable to ask God for a mate who will assist carry each of you nearer to Him in a relationship supporting one another’s non secular development and improvement.

Take into account that our wishes typically transcend what we truly suppose we would like — like once I say I desire a good chilly soda however what I really want is to be hydrated and nourished. Once I lastly get the soda, it’s solely after it’s gone in three gulps and my abdomen feels humorous for the subsequent hour that I understand that wasn’t what I actually craved. On a deeper degree, God is aware of and watches the center.  It’s as much as us to belief that what’s actually finest for us is best left to Him.

We’re all on a non secular path, whether or not we’re merely interested in non secular teachings and ideologies or sincerely dedicated to a selected path, educating and lifestyle. If the want for a non secular accomplice and relationship is powerful for you, manifesting and fulfilling such wishes begins with loving these round you, rising your magnetism and trusting that every part that involves you is to your highest good.

We’re “dowered with individuality” however in terms of love, we’re all alike in the necessity to love and be liked. Might every day carry you nearer to discovering your coronary heart’s need. God Bless you.

Initially printed: February 18, 2020