As is the case with millions of others, I am deeply inspired by your words. Thank you for doing what you do! I am struggling with an issue for quite some time and it is a source of endless debate with my friend.

I believe in having deep relationships with other people based on love (with spouse, children, parents, friends etc). My friend argues that humans suffer a great deal when they lose their loved ones to death (e.g., in long term marriages) and that the primary reason for the suffering is due to attachment and dependency. I sense the truth in his words, but I also see great contempt for human relationships in his mind. My argument is that while human relationships are imperfect and usually weighed down by attachment, humans do open up their hearts and are able to connect to each other deeply. There is something really beautiful in this and these relationships teach us valuable lessons and allow us understand ourselves deeply. For example, when I find that I am hating someone, I am often able to trace it back to certain aspect of myself that was unexamined closely before. So I find that relationships actually help me in evolving into a better human being.

I also understand that it is ideal to transcend this individual (or selfish) love to loving all, with the help os spiritual practice. I often experience states of deep love overflowing in my heart, after deep meditation sessions.  So, is there something really wrong in human relationships? Do they need to be shunned and cast away? Do we need to be really careful and vigilant (i.e., policing) for strings of attachment and dependency developing in our hearts? In your opinion, what is the ideal way of seeing/handling human relationships? Can they help us grow?

My question is the following, I am terrified at the idea of my mother dying she is getting older and i am still very young. this gives me terrible grief and anxiety daily.  I live far away now because of school and live in constant guilt of being far from her.  Lately nothing makes anymore sense I am deeply troubled and have a hard time figuring out why exactly.

Answer:

Since you didn’t indicate your mother’s age or that she was in any way ill or near death, is suspect that this is more about your guilt in being separated from your mother rather than this being based upon an imminent event.

Talk frankly with your mother about your anxiety and guilt in being apart. Is she supportive and understanding about you being away for your education? Are you happy with the direction  toward adulthood your life is taking?  Do you wish you could still stay at home? Is that what your mother wants as well? Do you believe that a major  role in your life is to be with and look after your mother?  If  you can become conscious about your deeper wants, beliefs, and motivations, you will be able to assess what action steps you are ready to make.

When your family has been abusive physically, mentally, and emotionally in your youth. Do you forgive and still allow them in your life? Do you keep them at a distance and feel guilty? I have struggled with this and meditated for years. Right now I let them in only a little cause I have my kids to think of. I just don’t know what the right thing is to do. I feel I need direction with resolving this completely and be at 100% percent in my own life. My past has affected my work and my ability to trust. I need good advice Deepak. I would just like to move forward completely. But how?

I have just started reading your theories and I am very interested in where to start my journey. I have been a “single mom” for years now and I am ready to enlarge my family. I have a successful career, I work out and music is my passion. However, I am alone at night in bed, with my emptiness. I am worried I will repeat my same path in love, and I wonder if that is subconsciously making it come true. I feel alone, when I know I am not. I am surrounded by life’s most amazing friends and family, yet I cannot seem to find peace and happiness in the one area of my life. As I get older, and more independent I am searching for answers to what path I am supposed to follow. My life is full of love and joy and I feel inner turmoil emotionally when it comes to relationships. Everyone has words of wisdom for me, yet they all contradict each other, adding to my confusion. I would like a starting point, a recommended book to start my journey.

Thank you for all your sharing of wisdom.  I especially love the quotes and inspiration you twitter to the farthest ends of the Universe.  Re the ‘silent witness’:  when I try to meditate I have a sense that the silent witness is sort of watching over me rather than within me, and then I feel that the silent witness is everywhere and I have dissolved into it.   My question is: am I being too cerebral thinking of the silent witness outside of me rather than within me.