Spiritual Wellness

Are you looking for a steamy romance that sets your life on fire? Maybe you’ve found the right partner, but it’s time to reignite that flame?  We all want the kind of love that makes us feel vibrant, like we could conquer the world.  Yet, what happens when the flame dies down to a soft kindle?  What happens when life’s responsibilities and demands catch up with us?  When the excitement of new love settles down, I hope you’ll balance your romance with a soulful and spiritual love that can pull you through every stage of life.

The time will come to ignite a spiritual spark in your romance.  But, how will you know when it’s time?  How will you get started?  Here’s a few Spiritual Wellness guidelines to help:

#1 Spirituality is like Sex. It shouldn’t be shared with just anyone.  It’s also intimate and makes you emotionally vulnerable to your partner.

I had a roommate who was elated about a first date with a guy she had just met.  At the end of the date, he asked if they could pray together.  She thought this was a sign that she had met the man of her dreams.  As a spiritual person, she thought it was amazing to find a man who wanted to pray with her.   She took his hand and closed her eyes while he prayed a generic prayer.  Then, she skipped through the front door and excitedly dished all the details about her date … including the prayer.

I immediately told her that this was not the guy for her!  What kind of guy asks a girl to pray with him on a first date?  Only a weirdo!  The exception to this rule is the occasional and obligatory, pre-meal prayer tradition.  In time, my roommate learned that I was right and she dumped the guy.

When a couple practices spiritual exercises it builds an unseen connection – a spiritual connection.   Group practices such as attending church or synagogue are completely appropriate with friends and boyfriends alike.  However, don’t start to pray or meditate with you partner until you . . .

#2 Follow the Intimacy Chain. The “Intimacy Chain” is a term I’ve coined to describe the levels of intimacy that unfold in a healthy relationship: social intimacy, mental intimacy, emotional intimacy, physical intimacy, commitment to intimacy, spiritual intimacy, and then sexual intimacy.

If you follow the Intimacy Chain, your romantic relationship should evolve something like this:  Have fun together.  Exchange ideas.  Open up about your hopes and dreams.  Kiss.  Date Exclusively.  Talk about your spirituality.  Have sex.   Notice that sex is last.  This is because a sexual experience is always a spiritual experience.  Even when you intend for sex to be casual, it’s still spiritual.  You can’t change this truth.  It just is.

When is the time to the start a spiritual connection?  The appropriate time is somewhere between making out and sex, assuming you first have a mental-emotional connection with the person.

#3 A Spiritual Spark Begins with Interest. To start your spiritual connection . . . Talk. Talk. Talk.  Then, talk some more.  It’s important that your spiritual connection begin with an interest in each other.  Before practicing any spiritual exercises with your partner, ask important questions that reveal his or her priorities and preferences.  Ask questions like:

• How do you practice your spirituality?
• What are your prayer habits?
• How do you hear God?
• What is your plan for enhancing your spirituality?

#4 Honor Your Spiritual Self. Just because you can talk to your partner about spirituality doesn’t mean he’s the guy for you!  This is a warning to the ladies! You must be true to your spiritual self.

Once you’ve listened to your partner with an open heart and mind, you must assess whether you are truly spiritually compatible.  This is a difficult decision to make if we’ve followed the “Intimacy Chain.”  No one wants to say ‘goodbye’ to someone they connect with socially, mentally and emotionally.  But, in time, your soul will no longer be able to hide the truth.  If you’re looking for “the one” then you must be willing to honor your spiritual self.

#5 Spirituality is Like Dating. Let the man lead.  When dating, it’s best for the man to take the lead.  He should always plan the first date, and also set the pace for the second date.  After a few dates, the woman reciprocates and shows interest by planning a few outings.  Ladies must be patient, and men have to step-up.  It’s a tradition that leads to a balanced, healthy relationship.  Remember this principle when beginning to practice your spirituality.

Ladies, can take the lead on sparking the conversation.  Just don’t take the lead when it comes to follow through.  Instead, ask a question that probes the man to action.  Ask something like:  What is your plan for establishing a spiritual connection between us? Hint: He probably doesn’t have a plan.  But, now you’ve planted a seed.  Follow up with him later.  Then, be patient.

#6 Men Need a Battle Plan. Men, you’re probably thinking:  What’s the plan!

First, assess the content of your previous conversations.  What spiritual priorities do you share?  What interests do you wish to explore?  Then, think of ways that you can incorporate these into your dating relationship.  Establishing a spiritual connection should start with simple building blocks.  You can opt to have a more intense spiritual connection as the relationship grows, or you can keep things simple.  Remember, a spiritual connection isn’t something you conquer.  It’s something you enjoy.  To get started, volunteer at a homeless shelter (social-spiritual) or attend a religious gathering (mental-spiritual).

Once you feel comfortable with social-spiritual and mental-spiritual exercises, go a little deeper by praying or meditating together.  This builds intimacy, so be sure you’re ready to take the next step in the relationship.

#7 Women Heat it Up! Once a man has ignited a spiritual spark, it’s the ladies who heat it up!  Woman are typically more spiritually tuned-in that men.  We are intuitive, emotional and spiritually creative.  So, ladies, don’t make your man carry the spiritual torch alone.  Bring some spice to the table.  Once he’s initiated prayer, it’s your turn.  Take him to a spiritual workshop, write a prayer list or practice hearing God.  Don’t push him, just open a few doors.

For your spiritual relationship to remain balanced, let it be sparked by the man, but fueled by both the man and woman.  During difficult times, your spirituality will be challenged.  Either partner should be prepared to step in and provide spiritual leadership to the relationship.  If you build spirituality into your relationship at the proper time, you’ll develop a romance that can conquer any hurdle.

How do you ignite a spiritual spark in your relationships?

 

 

dating, intimacy, romance, sex