21. Life Partner or Lifestyle Partner?
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Indian mythology has stories that refer to the seven loka (worlds). Actually, there is no such thing as seven worlds. It is an expression for seven different ways of perceiving and interpreting the world around us.
We all look at the world through our emotions. These emotions are like glasses we wear. When we wear green glasses everything around us appears green. When we become centered on a particular emotion, we view the world through that particular emotion.
If for instance, we are centered on imagination, fantasy, and sex, the whole world will seem to represent those feelings. Our lifestyle is filled with our own fantasies and imaginations.
Life is energy. It is simply an expression of our inner consciousness. It is living in a manner that gives us total satisfaction and fulfillment.
When we are centered on emotions of imagination and fantasy, in any relationship, we continuously feel that our partner has cheated us. The truth is other person does not have to cheats us. We project our own imagination on people, situations, and cheat ourselves.
Consider this example. When we say we are looking for a life partner, we are actually looking for someone to fulfill our fantasy. We are searching for someone to fulfill our dreams. We are searching for a screen where we can project our fantasies and imaginations. When we successfully project it, we feel fulfilled. If truth be stated, and honestly examined, it will turn out that we are looking for someone who will support this lifestyle of fantasy and imagination. In other words, we are looking for an ideal lifestyle partner not a life partner. So when we search for the partner we are constantly thinking: When I go to a party, I should have a partner who will glorify my lifestyle!
There is a clear difference between a life partner and a lifestyle partner. Be clear! The two are not the same. When we look for someone with a good match to our taste and life style, we are matching lifestyles. We are not in anyway progressing in our search for a life partner. A life partner is one who is one with our being, our consciousness.
When we live with our emotions: fantasy and imagination, fear, worry, seeking attention, comparing ourselves with others, egoistic or discontent- we are living in one of the seven worlds as told in Indian Mythology. Meditation alone helps us to become aware of these workings of the mind.
Mediate everyday!