Four Worlds Part 4: Spirituality in Partnership
This blog post concerning spirituality with your partner is the final one of a four-part series on the Four Worlds. Spirituality is a significant or even foundational element of many people’s lives (as it is for Ruth and me). However, for many others, it is non-relatable, or an area that is lightly touched upon - or outright avoided. Some folks consider themselves both spiritual and religious; others endorse just one of those terms.
Spiritual experiences may involve any one or combination of the following:
Intentional expression of various virtues, e.g. kindness, forgiveness, selfless service
Prayer within and/or outside of a religious institution
Appreciation of beauty, as in nature or an art form, and/or active involvement with them
Gratitude for and/or awe about the workings of the universe
Meditation
Mystical or metaphysical practices, activities, or encounters
Ritual expression
Spiritual dialogue
Spiritual/religious study through reading
Other forms of inspiration
Deepening Your Spiritual Connection With Your Partner
I invite you to arrange several times with your partner to substantively address these questions:
Which, if any, of the above forms of spirituality do you most enjoy and value? How do they benefit you?
What in life do you regard as especially holy or sacred?
What areas or forms of spirituality would you currently want to develop?
What are some ways in which you’d like your mate to support your spiritual growth, perhaps holding you accountable for certain activities or practices?
Do not assume that either you or your mate already know your answers to these questions. Rigorously engaging in a conversation with your partner is likely to create some fresh awareness or openings for both of you. Furthermore, I predict that you’ll each be enriched and feel more connected by a lively discussion about the spiritual aspects of your lives.
Please share with us your reactions to and realizations from this recommended exercise in the comments below, or join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Hoping and trusting you’ll value your discussions,
Your Relationship Coach,
Jim Sharon
(303) 796-7004
Jim Sharon, EdD is a licensed psychologist and couples' coach who has over four decades of professional experience serving thousands as a counselor, as a life and relationship coach, and as a seminar and retreat facilitator. Dr. Sharon has authored two books and many professional publications, most recently, Secrets of a Soulful Marriage: Creating and Sustaining a Loving, Sacred Relationship (with Ruth Sharon, MS), published by SkyLight Paths, 2014. Jim and Ruth have been married since 1970, have raised three adult children, and have two young granddaughters.