“You must love in such a way that the person you love feels free.”
-Thich Nhat Hanh-
If we are to truly love another person, then we must treat them as another person. Often, we become so habituated to certain self-serving patterns of thought, emotion, and action that we do not realize when we are acting oppressively and/or possessively toward others. As always, the remedy is intense presence.
Only when you align yourself with the eternal present can you see another being as they truly are. Only then can you see that they are full of hopes, dreams, joys, sorrows, doubts, and fear just as you are.
This notion is not to be confused with someone saying, “Love me for who I am. Accept my faults. (etc.)” Yes, of course we must learn to accept that just like us, our partners, friends, family have their own hang-ups and unconscious behavior. However, especially when one is in a serious relationship, there must be a mutual understanding between the two parties.
To love someone else in such a way that they feel free does not necessarily mean to let that person do whatever they want, whenever they want. No, then you become the one who is not free. You become a slave to that other person’s destructive whim.
In order for this concept to work, there must be open communication, understanding, and presence. When we approach a relationship in this way, then it greatly diminishes the risk of possessiveness, and destruction.
In fact, I submit that when we learn to stay present with one another even through the most enraging and painful of moments, then we grant ourselves and the other ultimate freedom of thought and emotion.
Agree? Disagree? What do you think the quote means?
By Terence Stone
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“To love someone else in such a way that they feel free does not necessarily mean to let that person do whatever they want, whenever they want. No, then you become the one who is not free. You become a slave to that other person’s destructive whim.” ~ Terence Stone
Your above paragraph…………I like letting my partner do whatever she wants, whenever she wants and it does not make me feel like a slave at all….she is not destructive.
Perhaps I am not understanding your point……………
Con,
I think couples can get to a point in a relationship where they feel comfortable with letting their partner be free in action. However, once you have formed that type of relationship it would stand to reason that your partner is not merely doing whatever he/she wants. They are acting within the mutually agreed upon bounds of the relationship. In other words, they are being considerate of your needs because it also benefits themselves and the relationship.
As a concrete example, we all experience sexual urges for other people whether we are in a relationship or not. Just because a man in a serious relationship might like to go flirt (or do more) with another woman doesn’t mean that he should or will. Nor would his significant other allow that. He can do what he wants to the extent of the relationship.
This is a very specific and obvious example, but these kind of boundaries can be even much subtler. My point is that in order for both parties in a relationship to be truly free, boundaries must be discussed and agreed upon. Then, when the commitment is in place, it becomes much easier to see your significant other do things on their own without jealousy or resentment.